By Kieran Ryan, Contributing Writer
In a world torn by political distress, social injustice and a global pandemic, there is only one thing that can cause society to put their differences behind and unite as one: Fads.
Silly bands, Tamagotchis and Psy’s Gangnam Style are just a few examples of the extensive and rich history of fads in the United States of America. However, there has recently been a ripple in the fad timeline. A cardinal rule for all fads is that they are “here for a good time, not a long time” (made popular by rapper Drake), and once their spotlight is over, they slink back into the darkness where they came from. So it came as no surprise that when people got wind of the resurrection of the Tech Deck among the St. Bonaventure University community, they were naturally intrigued.
The Tech Deck, a short-lived and electrifying fingerboard which allowed people of all ages to rest their legs, sit back, and perform exhilarating kick-flips with the tap of a finger. The Tech Deck was born in 1998, and reached peak popularity in the mid 2000’s when people of all demographics rushed to local Walmarts and Targets to get their hands on a new Deck.
Yet, like all fads, the Tech Deck would eventually succumb to the circle of life all trends must go through…or so we thought. Ryan Signorino, a former student-athlete at Bonaventure and Student Success Center graduate assistant, is helping the resurgence of the Tech Deck.
“I have a whole bunch, I’ve been collecting them ever since I started getting back into them” said Signorino.
Signorino said he got back on the fingerboard wave recently, when he was wandering around Walmart looking through the toy aisle with one of his roommates. It was in the aisle that an ultra-rare, three-dollar Tech Deck caught his eye
Now everytime Signorino goes into the local Walmart, he returns to the toy aisle, in search of another piece to his collection.
Signorino brings his Tech Deck to the library and to work and even fingerboards during his Zoom classes, as something “fun to do”, in case he finds himself in a situation where he isn’t busy. Signorino said he can no longer see himself without a Tech Deck in his life.
No one knows how long the Tech Deck is here to stay this time around, but if you or your fellow Bonaventure students are looking to join the Tech Deck revolution, head on down to the local Walmart or Target and pick up a brand new deck before they sell out. Luckily for Signorino and other Tech Deck connoisseurs, the inexpensive nature of the toy allows them to be accessible to almost everyone who wishes to translate their steez from the skateboard, to the fingerboard.
ryankp20@bonaventure.edu
