CELEBRATING the GREATEST NAMES in   ROLLER DERBY's HISTORY!!!
	Roller Derby's Hall of Fame was created by the 'Roller Derby News' in 1952 with the induction of its first two members, JOHNY ROSASCO & JOSEPHINE 'Ma' BOGASH. Over the next twenty-one years, twenty-one superb athletes were admitted thru the doors of the illustrious Hall.  After finding a permanent home at NYC's Madison Square Garden in 1972, the   Hall of Fame closed its doors when the original Roller Derby closed on December 8, 1973.   After being granted permission by JERRY SELTZER, son of the game's creator, LEO SELTZER, the NATIONAL ROLLER DERBY HALL OF FAME & MUSEUM was reopened by Executive Director & Curator GARY POWERS at its new home in Brooklyn, NY on September 25, 2004, coinciding with the induction of ten new members into the HOF.  On August 13, 2005 in Chicago, Illinois, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of Derby's first race at the Chicago Coliseum (Aug. 13, 1935).  In August, 2006, we celebrated our HOF Weekend in San Francisco, home of the legendary BAY BOMBERS, by celebrating the career of the recently-departed legendary skater, ANN CALVELLO.  Once again, the greatest stars of the banked track sport mingled with fans from all over the country in a joyous celebration of all things 'Derby.'  In October, 2007, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the PHILADELPHIA WARRIORS' move East (from Hawaii) with a HOF CELEBRATION in Cherry Hill, NJ.  On Dec. 6, 2008, the NRD HOF in association with the OSDA (Old School Derby Association) welcomed back members of the WARRIORS to another reunion during the OSDA Championship Weekend, presenting the FIRST EVER 'Roller Derby Pioneer' award to 93-year-old Transcontinental star, HAZEL ROOP!  Our ´Valentine to Los Angeles Roller Derby´ on FEB. 14, 2009 brought together many great stars of Southern California Derby!!!!  O n SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010 in PHILADELPHIA, we brought TOGETHER former DELAWARE VALLEY ROLLER GAMES members (including members of the legendary Philadelphia WARRIORS) with PENN JERSEY ROLLER DERBY as we HONORED the GREATEST STARS in the HISTORY of ROLLER DERBY with the INDUCTION of the 2010 Class of the NRD HOF!!!! We newest class of HOF inductees was celebrated on November 9-10, 2012 in PHILADELPHIA with an OLD-TIMERS' game featuring LEGENDARY STARS of the sport - Hall-of-Famer 'Little' RICHARD BROWN, CINDY OGBIN & ARNOLD 'Skip' SCHOEN, plus LALI O', RAY ROBLES, DAVE MARTINEZ & GINA VALLADARES!!!  Also in attendance were fans from all over the country plus Hall-of-Famers JUDY ARNOLD & LARRY LEWIS, former referee & Infield Manager, JOHN 'Gootch' GAUTIERI and skaters PETE BOYD, 'Skinny Minnie' GWEN MILLER, JEFF HART, SUE THOMAS & OTHERS!!!!  After moving to Southern California, the NRD HOF inducted a new class of honorees in 2016.  We continue to add to our permanent collection of memorabilia, the largest collection of Derby artifacts in the world!  We've also begun chronicling and sharing the history of the banked track sport with Madison Square Garden in New York City, the former home of Derby's HOF.  CONTINUE to CHECK HERE or contact us at GPowers369@aol.com for NEWS about the NEWEST CLASS of HALL OF FAME inductees in 2020!!!!!        October 2, 2016 The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame is proud to announce its newest class of inductees.  Those honored this year, joining the greatest names in the history of the sport, are LEROY GONZALES, BILL GROLL, KEN KUNZELMAN (into the 'Announcers Wing'), NORMA ROSSNER, ROSETTA SAUNDERS, NICK SCOPAS & DELORES TUCKER.  Each 2016 inductee is considered one of the most accomplished contributors in the history of the sport, each has a unique story and the NRD HOF is proud to celebrate their careers.  The 2016 inductees were selected by the NRD HOF membership in voting held during the summer of 2016.  JOIN US over the next year as we CELEBRATE the newest class of HOF inductees.
The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame is made possible by the support of devoted fans the world over, the input of the Roller Derby HOF membership, suggestions from others who worked for the sport, the love for Roller Derby which guides our efforts.  The NRD HOF was reopened in 2004 with the permission and blessing of the late JERRY SELTZER, who's father LEO created the sport in 1935.  The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame is a trademarked name, not associated with any other organization.  We depend upon the generosity of all those who wish to unselfishly show their love for the game.  The reopening of the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame was a result of the fundraising efforts of another orgranization, the Roller Derby Foundation, created in 1999, which provided financial assistance to former skaters.  The RD Foundation brought forth the reopening of the HOF.  We brought former skaters and fans together thru celebrations throughout the country.  We are committed to preserving the history of the Roller Derby and to celebrating the accomplishments of its greatest stars while sharing the history of the sport with others.     Gary Powers who first watched Roller Derby in 1967 is the NRD HOF's Executive Director & Curator and its chief fundraiser.  The HOF membership, particularly Executive Committee members, Richard Brown, Judy Arnold, Larry Lewis, Jan Vallow, John Hall, George Copeland, Margie Laszlo and Mike Gammon, guide our efforts.  Mr. Powers is also assisted by Brian Harper, Joe Peters, Keith Coppage, Dennis Marigliano, Richard Klein, Matthew Hong, Martin Spencer, Gary Brown and others who put celebrating the sport before personal accolades.  The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame can only continue with the support of everyone who loves the sport.  Please consider contacting us at GPowers369@aol.com in order to purchase souvenir programs or other memorablia to support our efforts.  Please go to www.ebay.com to search for 'Roller Derby' items offered by our seller, Mercedes27.  Join us on our Official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1165779950255800?__fns&hash=Ac2VJqNZhWTzBYH1     And join us at one of our HOF celebrations where you can meet former skaters and other fans while providing your approval of all we try to accomplish.  Thanks for your support!	The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame is gratified to CELEBRATE the incredible careers of seven individuals selected by the NRD HOF membership as its newest members.   Texan LEROY GONZALES was Derby's 'Rookie-of-the-Year' in 1956 with the NY Chiefs.  He served in the Navy for four years before returning to the banked track in '62 with a vengeance. Skating with the World Champion Mexico City Cardenales under Ken Monte in '63-'64, Leroy became one of the most unpredictable skaters on the track.  Signed as Coach of the New York Bombers in the NSD in '65, he astounded everyone with his unorthodox style of skating. Frustrated with management, he quit after the '67 playoffs, then returned the following year, taking the Detroit Devils to a surprising '68 World Series title.  He'd lead the Devils for the next four years, later coaching the Latin Libs.  A small skater, powerful and aggressive, one of the greats of the game.   BILL GROLL was born in St. Louis.  An amateur boxer and AAA baseball player, Groll spent four years in the Marines before finding Roller Derby.  He spent a relatively short time training, becoming Coach of the Midwest Pioneers in '69, his fourth year of skating.  He'd later Coach the New York Chiefs and San Francisco Bay Bombers, being named MVP of the '73 season.  A brutal blocker, Groll was one of the most beloved skaters on the track.  By the 1980s in the IRSL, Groll was THE premier star of the banked track sport, always humble, always grateful to his colleagues and the fans.  A natural selection by the NRD HOF membership.  KEN KUNZELMAN was born in Oakland, California and found a job with Roller Derby by accident.  He was at a game when the scorekeeper quit; Kenny was hired on the spot.  He's egin announcing the next year and become the sport's pre-eminent house announcer over the next 25 years.  He would do advance publicity for the sport and write souvenir programs.  During live games from '60 thru 1985, Kunzelman was the first exposure fans had to the sport from his welcome, to hawking programs and souvenirs, encouraging fans to purchase tickets to Derby's next game, while calling the action on the track, always making each skater, the rookie to biggest star, shine.  He was one of the greatest contributors behind the scenes with a love for the sport and its skaters.  He know is the newest member of the Announcer's Wing.   NORMA ROSSNER hailed from Chicago and began skating in 1949 during the sport's classic era. She became a veteran star in the 1950s, traveling around the world with the Derby, learning her craft.  In the 1960s, she began skaing with the NSD, lending her talents to the Chicago Hawks & Hawaiian Warriors.  In '66, she became Shirley Hardman's main back-up skater with the Texas Outlaws, regulating the pack and carrying th race when her captain was injured or in the penalty box.  She'd later become permanent Women's Captain of both the Hawks & Outlaws, always doing whatever was needed to sell the race.  Rossner helped one new skater after another learn the game and represent the sport in the most professional manner.  One of the great ladies of the banked track sport.   ROSETTA SAUNDERS from Atlantic City was Roller Derby's 'Rookie-of-the-Year' in 1969.  She was a natural skater, rugged and graceful, who became an important contributor to the sport in 1970 with the Northeast Braves.  Within a few years, Saunders' incredible style of skating powered the Red Devils, Jolters & Bay Bombers.  She became the 'go to' girl of the sport, carrying the race whenever her captain was injured.  She even helped out National's Northern Hawks when their girl's field was decimated by injuries.  She excelled at all elements of the sport.  In the 1980s, she was back with the IRSL proving she was one of the best skaters in the history of the sport. Saunders always carried herself with professionalism and class, a worthy addition to the ranks of the Hall of Fame. NICK SCOPAS was born in Queens, NY, taught himself how to roller skate, then was trained by Gerry Murray in the Derby Training School.  He made his debut in 1958 and was a speed demon early in his career.  A serious eye injury almost ended his career before it began, but he persevered and never gave up.  He'd skate with Leroy Gonzales on the NY Bombers in the mid60s, then coach New York.  Scopas always shared his experience and expertise with new skaters, all the making of an excellent coach.  He'd be back with the IRDL in '71 with the Braves, then coach the Eagles & Pioneers, becoming one of the best skating coaches in the sport.  For the next two decades, 'Nick the Greek' would share his knowledge of the sport with generations of new skaters, one of the true testaments of a Hall of Fame career. DELORES TUCKER was born in Bakersfield, California and was a product of the Derby Training School & Junior Derby.  She'd make her debut in 1966, landing on the Bay Bombers in '68 becoming Captain Joan Weston's main back-up skater.  She'd be Playoff MVP in '69, season MVP in '71, before becoming permanent Women's Captain of the Bombers later in the year.  Rugged and strong, Tucker could carry the race with the best of them, although she always shied away from the spotlight, letting other get all the glory.  She'd win the season MVP award in '73, establishing herself as one of the best in the game.  She'd continued to skate in the game for another decade.  Her dedication to the sport was stellar, her commitment to excellence never waivered.  One of Derby's most underrated and beloved skaters.
February 9, 2015 With great sadness, the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame announces the sudden death of legendary star, CHARLIE O'CONNELL.  Born in New York City on May 7, 1935, O'Connell first discovered the sport because his grandmother was a fan.  At Madison Square Park in NYC (23rd Street & Fifth Avenue), O'Connell and friends Frank Macedo & Frankie Fren would 'play' Derby.  Charlie first began training in 1952, was signed by the NEW YORK CHIEFS and won 'Rookie-of-the-Year' honors in '53.  Temperamental and erratic, O'Connell was signed by the CHICAGO WESTERNERS (skating in Australia in '55) before being traded to the BAY BOMBERS in 1957.  Skating under 'Wild BILL' REYNOLDS, Charlie found his niche wearing #40 alongside ANN CALVELLO who taught him to see the bigger picture of the Derby industry.  When the Bombers skated in NYC in '58, O'Connell & Reynolds, along with Calvello & MARY GARDNER terrorized the hometown Chiefs.  After JERRY SELTZER took over operation of the Derby in '59, O'Connell became coach of the SAN FRANCISCO BAY BOMBERS with the pivot position being created for specifically to utilize his talents.  O'Connell would become the premier male star of the sport for the next fifteen years.  His most significant contribution to the sport was making the game about the men rather than the women which had been Derby's traditional 'calling card' for its first twenty-five years.  His battles with KEN MONTE & BOB WOODBERRY were legendary.  'Mr. Roller Derby' would briefly retire after the '67-'68 road tour, then continue to be the dominant male skater in the IRDL.  He'd lead the newly-reorganized NEW YORK CHIEFS in the Fall of '71, winning the title for the team before returing to the Bay Bombers in the summer of '72.  He'd continue to coach the BAY BOMBERS till the end of the original Derby in December, '73.  He'd fulfill his contract with the L.A. T-BIRDS in the short-lived ISC in '74 before leaving the game.  In 1976, he was back leading the BAY BOMBERS in the newly-formed IRSL before retiring permanently after the '78 campaign.  Roller Derby's greatest star never lookd back.  He owned and managed a number of apartment buildings in Northern California.  O'Connell was married three times and had two children.  His last marriage, to another Hall-of-Famer JUDI McGUIRE, would last 35 years till his death.  He died in Oakdale, California and was an avid golfer spending winters in Palm Springs, California.  The entire Roller Derby world mourns the loss of its greatest star.  May he rest in peace with the gratitude of colleagues and fans the world over.	https://www.paypal.com Contact us at GPowers369@aol.com for SOUVENIR PROGRAMS and other MEMORABILIA to benefit skaters and the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame & Museum.