But to the point, Imagine my surprise and delight to find there was Roller Derby action
just a couple of miles from my house. The names of those you inducted into the hall of fame opened memories I can never match.

When I was 15 and living in New Jersey, I joined the Roller Derby Training school in New York. I had fallen in love with the game a few months before when I attended my first in-person game. To give you an idea how long ago this was, my first coach was Buddy Atkinson SENIOR not Junior, or the third! Eventually I was selected by Gerry Murray (my idol) to skate on the Junior Chiefs. We skated before the same audience as the pros, warming them up for the main attraction. This was at the Ninth Regiment Armory circa 1956.

I know so well the names you mentioned, from the first time I went, I attended every game at the armory, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I’d love to know when the skaters will be at the Williamsburg road rink, for an opportunity to come and reminisce. I’m positive I can scare up some photos from that era. My association with the Derby ended around 1960 or 61 when they up and left New York. Those of us in the school and on the Jr teams really felt abandoned when no provision was made for us to go on, but we did try, some of us switching, for what we thought was the short haul, to flat track. I met my future (and now ex) husband at a track in Brooklyn where he was a speed skater. He did con me, shortly after we got married into entering the NY State Championships for the relay. Unbeknownst to me, he also entered me into the Senior Lady category. I managed to get out alive with a second place medal, but believe me I was no flat track skater, my whole experience had been the banked track. So, long story short, if there’s anyone that would like to chat with someone who’s been there, done that, please reply to maurso2@verizon.net I’d love to hear from you.

PS I still have my skates. I was just in the attic the other night looking at them. Must have been intuition cause I had no idea till now what was going on just up the road.

Maureen

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dick.Dale
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Thanks!
OSDA RULES!

Daddy $tarbukk$ - Team Announcer - T-Town Derby Grrls

Jeannie~ Jenius . Team Cap. - Hanging City Derby