Wilson began skating when he was eight years old; he asked for lessons after seeing an Ice Follies performance.[2] In 1965, he was the first African-American skater to compete at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, placing second in the novice division.[3] He and his mother were unable to stay at the official competition hotel, as it was segregated and only allowed white guests.[4] At the 1966 championships, he won the novice title despite falling on his first jump in his free skate and became the first black skater to win a national title in figure skating.[2][4]
Afterward, he moved up to the junior level and then qualified for the senior level, but in 1969, he chose to pursue a degree at Loyola Marymount University and finished his competitive career rather than attempt to qualify for the 1972 Winter Olympics team.[4] He toured professionally with Ice Follies and Holiday on Ice from 1971 until 1988.[5]
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