The season opener for the Penn Jersey Roller Derby league took place on Saturday, February 20th at their home in Mt. Laurel – the International Sports Center. The event was called the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre and featured a game between The Bleeding Hearts and The Killer Cupids.

The Bleeding Hearts were co-captained by Classy Chassis and Deuces Wild, while The Killer Cupids were co-captained by Lucky Luciano and Shampain. In the end, the Bleeding Hearts defeated the Killer Cupids by a score of 61 to 48. Although it doesn’t look it, the score was very close for more than half of the game and it wasn’t until a jam in the final period that saw the Bleeding Hearts score 12 big points and pull away for good.

There are many good points to this game that must be mentioned. The defense was excellent. This was a true Old School style Roller Derby game from all angles. I’ve said it before; Derby is the sum of all parts – offense, defense and strategy. This game featured all of the above.

The teams were equally staffed by veterans and rookies. The rookies were being tested to see if they could hang with the veterans and they did extremely well. They skated a hard game and Bexi Wrexi was the highest scoring rookie with 12 points.

Announcing was handled by Henry Rollins who is an ace at the mic and newcomer FoXXXy Contin who did an excellent announcing job. The league has all bases covered with Henry, Rhonda, FoXXXy, Judy Sowinski and founder Ken Sikes at the mic.

A big Welcome Home to Vidal Boom Boom who returned to the PJRD and skated in her first game in over a year. Unfortunately, she lived up to her name – Boom Boom and went down hard on her elbow. Turns out she broke off the cap of the elbow and it required surgery to repair it. Heal quickly Boom Boom. You’ll be missed out there!

High scorers were Sloppy Jo with 28 points for the Killer Cupids, Hellanor Rollsevelt with 26 point and Miss Chievous with 19 points for the winning Bleeding Hearts.

After this excellent game and with the addition of a banked track and warehouse in Philadelphia, the future looks very bright indeed for Penn Jersey Roller Derby.

Jersey Joe

sloppy Jo 28
shampain 9
Nikki 4
Roxanne Mudd 4
Vee 1

Bleeding Hearts (Red) 61
Hellanor Rollsvelt 26
Miss Chievious 19
Bexi 12
Melanie 3
Dueses wild 1

penalties

shampain 4 (with 2 for fighting)
Lucky 2
maria 1
craash money 1

miss Chievous 2
duesce wild 2 for fighting
melanie 1
wanda 3

Feb 20, 2010

Today, April 5, would have been the 106th birthday of Roller Derby’s creator, LEO SELTZER. A visionary and promoter, Leo came up with the idea of the banked track sport, men and women competing on an equal basis, and it was only because of Seltzer that Roller Derby became a reality. Leo Seltzer saw Roller Derby become the talk of the nation, saw it become overexposed on TV, lose its luster, then rise again thru the efforts of his son, Jerry, and he would have been delighted with how a version of his game has once again created so much excitement around the country. Anyone who loves the game, no matter how it is played or executed, admires what Leo Seltzer brought forth.

Happy birthday to Roller Derby’s founding father, Leo Seltzer.
Gary Powers

NATIONAL ROLLER DERBY

HALL OF FAME WEEKEND

A celebration of Roller Derby & the 40th anniversary of legendary team, the Eastern Warriors. Scheduled to appear: Judy Arnold, Judy Sowinski, Arnold ‘Skip’ Schoen, Vinnie Gandolfo, Pete Boyd, Cindy Ogbin, Jeff Hart, Judi McGuire, ‘Little Richard’ Brown and ‘Big Bad’ Bob Woodberry, plus other stars of Roller Derby.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 26 Kickoff event featuring former Philadelphia Warrior skaters. 7 PM, location to be announced. Check www.rollerderbyhalloffame.com for details.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 Philadelphia Warriors Celebration. 1 PM to 4 PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2349 West Marlton Pike Cherry Hill, NJ. A historical perspective celebrating the Warriors and Roller Derby, with a question and answer session featuring former skaters and fans along with memorabilia of the sport. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door starting at 12:30 PM Saturday.

The Call of Duty Roller Derby Game. Featuring She Devils (USA) vs. Hammer City (CAN). 7:30 PM at The International Skate Center, 1 Hovtech Blvd. Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $12 at shedevilsrollerderby.com or at the door for $15. Children under 5 years old free, 5-10 years old $5.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28

National Roller Derby Hall of Fame awards presentation & reunion dinner.

5 PM at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 2349 West Marlton Pike Cherry Hill, NJ. Join as we induct the newest members into the Roller Derby Hall of Fame. Cocktail reception from 5-6 PM, then buffet dinner (four entrees) starting at 6 PM. Event will go till 11 PM and will include music & dancing. All are invited. Tickets for the dinner are $45 and must be purchased in advance. No tickets will be available at the door.

630 E. 24thStreet, Brooklyn, NY 11210 or payment can Hall-of-Fame Weekend VIP packages are available for $100.

Includes tickets to all events, plus a National Roller Derby HOF souvenir program yearbook, Warrior hat & t-shirt (please specify size).

Details at www.rollerderbyhalloffame.com.

Checks or money orders can be made payable to Gary Powers,

be made with a credit card by sending money thru PayPal to rollerderbyhof@aol.com.

For Crowne Plaza Hotel reservations, call 1-800-971-4654.

Please help us spread the word so that everyone can attend this once-in-a-lifetime event honoring Derby’s greatest skaters and one of its most legendary teams!

Hope you can all join us at the end of October in Philadelphia & Cherry Hill as we celebrate ROLLER DERBY & the WARRIORS!!!!