Permanent Damage Featuring Mark “Gator” Rogowski
Ben Kelly
- October 15 2009
- 2,245 views
- 21 comments
PERMANENT DAMAGE
The 1980s were heavy times for skateboarding and TransWorld was there to document it all. From the birth of street skating to the demise of vert, it was an incredible decade. Everything exploded. Permanent damage was done. And whether you see the 80s as skateboarding’s Golden Age or you just look back laugh, you need to know your roots. Yesterday begat today—get it?
Mark “Gator” Rogowski Pro Spotlight
December, 1988
It’s a disgrace that Gator killed Jessica Bergsten. He is rotting in prison for it. But before that tragic chapter, Gator was one of the best skateboarders to ever ride on four wheels. There’s no question. He was one of the biggest pros of the era, ready and able to throw down, run for run right beside the mighty Bones Brigade and other 80s animals like Tony Mag and Chris Miller. In 1984, when the seminal skate video Skatevisions was released, Gator was on fire (the sickest footage from Del Mar Skate Ranch.) And for the rest of the decade he just kept getting better. He was a trick machine. Destroyed backyard pools. Pioneered high-speed lip trickery. Brought a barrage of disaster and revert variations. Spun 540s both ways. Busted the Gatair—sort of a switch frontside boneless 360. He killed contests. He got covers. He was the frontman for Vision Street Wear. He got f—cking paid. And then he cracked. This Pro Spotlight from late 1988 shows Gator in his prime. These were the days.—Joel Muzzey
Click on photos to view in larger format
Gator Mark Anthony, December 1988
Gator Mark Anthony, December 1988
Gator Mark Anthony, December 1988
Gator Mark Anthony, December 1988
Gator Mark Anthony, December 1988
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October 15th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
first
October 15th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
don't forget about how he violated her dead body for days before she was found.
October 15th, 2009 at 11:09 pm
gnarly
October 16th, 2009 at 4:38 am
It's a tragedy when your life is based on the love of money and fame. When it's all gone, what's left? That's what Gator dealt with and snapped because it was quickly stripped from him and could happen to anyone too. Count your blessings.
October 16th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Just to straighten the facts, he didn't violate her when she was already dead. He did it when she was clinging on to dear life; he bludgeoned her with the club device and repeatedly raped her for hours. Then he stuffed her body in a surfboard bag and buried her in the desert. This is the monstrosity that Mark Rogowski had become. I think there were other factors that caused him to snap too in addition to the loss of fame and fortune; having no father figure and no direction in life; all variables in the bigger equation. Nevertheless, I hope he stays in prison for life. There is no justification for taking an innocent life.
October 16th, 2009 at 9:48 am
That guy was a Dick way before he lost every thing! I met him a couple of times and he really thought he was a Rock Star!
October 17th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I think he gets out on parole this year. if he is not out already. anyone know?
October 17th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
No 2010 Is When He Gets Parole
October 18th, 2009 at 4:37 am
this man deserves to rot in hell. Sorry doesn't cut it when you take somebody elses life. He can pray as much as he wants but thats not gonna do shit, god will never forgive him. i don't know how he lives with him self. he disgusts me. that poor girl didn't deserve any of that
October 19th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
First - I am a regular subscriber AND gift TWS every year forChristmas. I have been reading your magazine for 20+ years and read it cover to cover every time. That being said…
I am absolutely APPALLED you would even consider Re-Spotlighting Mark "Gator" Rogowski. I am honestly considering canceling my subscription and gifting another magazine this year. I normally don't even complain about anything - ever. I have no idea what kind of resolution you can offer, but this is completely unacceptable. Seriously, who would think this would be a good idea? You have now spread the word of the
glory of the Murdering and Raping dude from the 80's. Now, sure, I do believe in forgive, but also firmly believe in not glorifying murder and rape. Please do all you can to resolve this MISTAKE as soon as possible and assure me you have done so. You owe it to your subscribers, not to mention your advertisers.
October 20th, 2009 at 5:57 am
damm!! this guy dont deserve to be on skateboarding anymore .
October 23rd, 2009 at 5:43 pm
I hope he gets out. I’m curious what he will do with his life.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:42 am
i wish he couldv jus hung on and seen the future like Tony! our world was/better with him and Jessica.
October 29th, 2009 at 6:45 am
he was evil that night he shouldv fried in the chair yo!
October 29th, 2009 at 6:51 am
yes, thanx 4 the facts, she was still alive when he put her in the surf bag an heard her ask for her life. Still him and Satan put her to death.
November 2nd, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I ran into Gator here and there. He had the rock star mindset which made him worth avoiding. To watch him skate was fine, it's just when he got off the board he showed his true colors. Gator's contribution to the sport/industry should never be ignored or belittled.. There were several pros that saw themselves as godly and they crashed and faded rapidly (where are they now file). Gator became a victim of his fame and attitude. He was a superior skater. He also murdered someone. You can use his crimes to justify denying him as a skater but skating today was influenced positively by him. Respect what he did not who he is.
It will be interesting on how many turn their back. on his release. Although not on the same level, M.Jackson is still glorified for all his contributions even though the guy was obviously guilty of his crimes. I will be interesting to see how many don't turn their back- even if over curiosity. I have to admit if I heard he was at my park right now I'd probably watch him for hours. At the end of the session, however, I'd probably spit in his face and kick him in the balls.
November 3rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
gator is like no one else.hes a legend.and a former wacko
November 4th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
you are an idiot
November 5th, 2009 at 12:51 am
You are an idiot if you think that anyone cares about you. Because you "gift the magazine to people." Skateboarding and TWS are bigger than you and your wallet and your little up tight ass. There was a whole documentary made about the Gator. Write your complaint to Palm Pictures.
November 7th, 2009 at 2:44 am
no way this guy ever gets out. he's a lifer.
November 12th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Too bad there aren’t any current pics of him anywhere. The only images anyone really knows of this guy are from 20 years ago. He could probably walk into a skatepark and shred and noone would even know its him. The guy has been locked up for 19 years now so I’m sure he doesn’t look like a kid anymore. Its crazy to think that someone so famous in his time could just fall off the face of the earth. We can hate him for what the crime he committed but we can’t hate him for his contributions to skateboarding. Besides, back then there were only a few pro skaters as compared to today so no wonder they felt like rockstars.