Celebrating the GREATEST NAMES in ROLLER DERBY 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 late, great 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 celebrated the newest class of the NRD HOF on November 9-10, 2012 in PHILADELPHIA with an OLD-TIMERS' game featuring LEGENDARY STARS of the sport like Hall-of-Famer 'Little' RICHARD BROWN, CINDY OGBIN & ARNOLD 'Skip' SCHOEN, plus TONY TRUJILLO, LALI O', RAY ROBLES, DAVE MARTINEZ & GINA VALLADARES!!!  Also in attendance were fans from all over the country along with Hall-of-Famers JUDY ARNOLD & LARRY LEWIS, former referee & Infield Manager, JOHN 'Gootch' GAUTIERI, plus skaters PETE BOYD, TERRI TOLEDO, 'Skinny Minnie' GWEN MILLER, JEFF HART, SUE THOMAS & MANY OTHERS!!!!  JOIN US at a Roller Derby HALL OF FAME EVENT in your area SOON!!!!         September 15, 2014 New York City 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 SANDY DUNN, JOE FOSTER, JOHN HALL, LIZ HERNANDEZ, RUBERTA MITCHELL, CATHIE READ & SILVER RICH.  Each 2014 inductee is considered one of the most accomplished skaters in the history of the sport, each has a unique story and the NRD HOF is proud to celebrate their contributions to the game.  The 2014 inductees were selected by the NRD HOF membership in voting held during the summer of 2014.  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 everywhere, especially long-time friend and confidant, PHIL BERRIER, the input of Roller Derby HOF members, plus the suggestions of many others associated with the sport whose love for Roller Derby guides our efforts. The reopening of the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame in 2004 was a result of the fundraising efforts of the Roller Derby Foundation which provides assistance to former skaters.  We are constantly working to bring fans and skaters together thru Roller Derby celebrations throughout the country.  We are committed to preserving the history of the Roller Derby and to honoring the accomplishments of its greatest stars.   We make Roller Derby DVDs & memorabilia available to fans around the world.   The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame can only continue with the support of everyone who loves the sport.  Please consider purchasing a souvenir program or another piece of memorablia to support our efforts.  Please 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 skaters selected by the NRD HOF membership as its newest members.   San Francisco native, SANDY DUNN, started in the sport in 1962 when just seventeen years old.  After learning her craft mainly as a jammer and pack skater, KEN MONTE made her focus on defense where she became one of the most aggressive, toughest blockers in the sport.  She'd be the MVP of the '69 season, then captain the NEW YORK CHIEFS from 1971 thru 1974.  A fan favorite, Sandy would continue giving back to the sport till 1987 as one of the most powerful distaff stars in the history of the game.   Californian JOE FOSTER was a flat track roller skating speed champion, joined Derby in 1956, bypassing the training school, becoming a star with the SAN FRANCISCO BAY BOMBERS.  He'd break SID HARNESK's single-game scoring record in 1961, winning MVP honors, then develop over the years as one of the toughest blockers in the sport.  Injuries marred his career, but there were few better all-around skaters ever to step on the banked track. New Yorker JOHN HALL started in 1959 with the original Derby, one of the first African-American skaters, another newcomer groomed by KEN MONTE.  He'd be one of the founders of the National Skating Derby, coach the DETROIT DEVILS, before breaking his neck in a serious injury.  He'd reinvent himself as an infield manager, coaching and encouraging countless new skaters, giving back to the sport as one of its greatest ambassadors over five decades.   LIZ HERNANDEZ joined the Derby in 1956 out of Los Angeles.  Nicknamed 'Baby,' she was one of the first Mexican-American skaters in the sport and one of its all-time fastest skaters.  She'd be the first captain of the HAWAIIAN WARRIORS, then skate with the LOS ANGELES T-BIRDS, wearing #4, in Southern California, then in JAPAN & AUSTRALIA.  There were few better all-around skaters in the sport and only a serious back injury ended her career. RUBERTA MITCHELL joined the sport in 1959, skating with the SAN FRANCISCO BAY BOMBERS, a rookie who looked like a seasoned veteran from Day One.  She'd be a star with the LOS ANGELES T-BIRDS in the 60s, later skating with the DETROIT DEVILS & NEW YORK BOMBERS, before coming to the EASTERN WARRIORS in 1971.  Ruberta possessed what many felt was the most beautiful stride of any skater.  She'd later captain the BALTIMORE-WASHINGTON CATS.  A lady on and off the track. Brooklynite CATHIE READ started in '59, asked to train by GERRY MURRAY.  As a new kid, she'd soon be carrying the race during the 1960s when so many female skaters left the sport.  In 1965 with the CALIFORNIA CARDINALS, she'd become a defensive powerhouse, skating the regular season in the Bay Area, then on tour across the country.  Long remembered as Women's Captain of the famous NEW ENGLAND BRAVES, Cathie would mentor and encourage many new kids before injuries ended her career. Cleveland's SILVER RICH came into Derby in the early 40s, a strong, tough small skater.  He'd leave the sport to become a paratrooper in World War II, completing 32 jumps.  He'd come back to the banked track in 1946, coach the WASHINGTON JETS, becoming a giant on the banked track eventhough he was a small skater.  During the classic Derby of the late 40s & 50s, this military veteran dominated a game filled with larger men with brains and skill.  A long-overlooked star of the sport.
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.	2016 NRD HOF Souvenir YEARBOOK - $20.00 (includes shipping) More Items For Sale!   HOF Signed ROLLER DERBY RIVALS by Sue Macy GERRY MURRAY & MIDGE 'Toughie' BRASUHN!!! - $45.00 (includes shipping)   HOF New ROLLER DERBY RIVALS by Sue Macy GERRY MURRAY & MIDGE 'Toughie' BRASUHN!!! - $30.00 (includes shipping)