Who was Toby
Toby Ray Eagle Bull
One of Toby’s favorite songs came on the radio after a crew of kids went flying by on their boards. Nothing fancy… just kick-push. Laughing around, enjoying life, just skating. I couldn’t help but be reminded of the days when that was us.
Just some good ol’ boys, never meanin no harm;
Stevie Reddy, Sylas Little Brave, Cole Waters, Trevor Jacobs, Kyle Mesteth, & I. See, Tob was a wrestler, a boxer, basketball player, football player, basically an all around athlete. So when he took an interest in skateboarding, it was really no surprise how natural skating came to him. The first time he planted his feet on a board, the man was legendary.
Within a few months he was doing tricks that some of us were still trying to master. He was hooked. Ever since that day, he was never seen without his board. Skate was life.
Tob’s passion for skateboarding was contagious. So much so that it continues to inspire us to keep making moves so that others that share his passion have something to always look forward to.
A story by Larry - Toby's Misun "Lil Bro"
Pictured: L to R
Lynnell (mom to Toby & Larry), Larry (brother to Toby) & Toby
In 2016, Oyate Wookiye (representing The Toby Classic) was 1 of 12 organizations selected to present at the Natives Americans in Philanthropy Generation Indigenous in Washington DC; A storyteller event, my sister, Jeanne stood in The White House and bared our souls. She spoke words that we'd all kept stored in our hearts.
Our story was told from the beginning;
Chapter 1; 2002, Tob, Our brother, my mom and dad's oldest SON, left this earth too soon but never the less, made his journey to The Spirit World and life as we knew it, would never be the same.
Chapter 2; 2003, rekindling that fire that lived inside Toby. At the time, we didn't know it but, It would be that fire that would light the way! *A skate comp was to be held in his memory.*
Chapter 3; 2004-2010, Our DAD, my brother in law, James bought wood & Uncle Perr & I pounded out wooden ramps so that the skaters had something to skate on. Most ramps would survive the year so that skaters could continue to skate em, some not so fortunate, and a few here & there stolen. But at the end of the day, those ramps served their purpose and we were happy.
Chapter 4; 2011, Toby’s dream of a skate park on the rez became a reality. The Toby Eagle Bull Memorial WKD Skate Park was built.
Chapter 5; 2012 the birth of a new era was born, as well as a new generation of skaters! They get younger each year but, both young & old skaters are out there tearing it up!
Toby’s Legacy was presented at The White House. All I could think of, was my big bro, this FREE spirited soul while on his human journey, TOB's voice BOOMING out in the white house, CHEEBA-CHEEEBAAAAA! lol
To know him, was to love him. To those that didn’t have the pleasure in meeting our brother, the only way we can introduce you to him, is through ourselves and the events we host for all of you.
TOBY EAGLE BULL LIVES!
~ Larry Ray Eagle Bull
Pine Ridge, S.Dakota - Home of the Toby Classic
The Toby Classic takes place every year during the Oglala Lakota Nation Wacipi 'Powwow" - the first weekend in August
The Toby Classic Events are:
Ollie
Maza$ka Grab
Winyans of Shred "Best Trick"
BIG AIR Ollie
Live to Enjoy the Memory - Toby