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Roller
Derby's Hall of Fame was created by the 'Roller Derby News' in 1952 with the induction of its first two members, JOHNNY ROSASCO
& JOSEPHINE 'Ma' BOGASH. Over the next twenty-one years, a total of twenty-one superb athletes were admitted thru the doors
of the illustrious Hall of Fame. After finding a permanent home at New York's Madison Square Garden during the early 70s,
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 was reopened by Executive
Director GARY POWERS at its new Museum home in Brooklyn on September 25, 2004, coinciding with the induction of ten new members
into the Hall of Fame. 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 Hall of Fame Weekend in San Francisco, home of
the legendary BAY BOMBERS, by celebrating the career of the late, great ANN CALVELLO. Once again, some of the greatest stars
of the banked track sports mingled with fans from all over the country in a joyous celebration of all things 'Roller Derby.'
In October, 2007, we celebrated the 40th anniversary of the legendary PHILADELPHIA WARRIORS move East (from Hawaii) with
a HOF WEEKEND CELEBRATION on the East Coast. 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 & also presented
the FIRST EVER 'Roller Derby Pioneer' award to 93-year-old Transcontinental star, HAZEL ROOP! Our ´VALENTINE TO L.A. ROLLER
DERBY´ in LOS ANGELES on FEB. 14, 2009 brought together many great stars of Southern California Roller Derby!!!! PLEASE JOIN
US at a future CELEBRATION as we HONOR the GREATEST STARS in the HISTORY of ROLLER DERBY!!!!
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March 20, 2009
With great sadness,
the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame marks the passing of legendary skating star, BILLY BOGASH, on March 20 in Yucca Valley,
California. The entire Roller Derby family of skaters and fans, along with the members of the NRD HOF, mourn the loss of
one of the original Roller Derby Hall-of-Famers and its paternal leader.
Billy Bogash was born in Chicago, Illinois
and was at the first Transcontinental Roller Derby race that premiered at the Chicago Coliseum in the summer of 1935. His
mother, Josephine, diabetic and a roller skater, thought she could do as well as the skaters on the track, so with son Billy
in tow, she tried out for Leo Seltzer´s brand new sports creation. The Roller Derby officials offered ´Ma´ a job, but she
would only accept it if son Billy was also offered a job. Admitedly Billy was not much of a skater, but Derby management
saw the potential in having this older skater with her son in uniform as part of their game, so both were signed to contracts
and made their debut as the newest skating team at Derby´s second race in Kansas City, Missouri in September, 1935.
Management
was correct about the drawing potential of the Bogash mother & son team and ´Ma´ would eventually become the first female
skate inducted into the Roller Derby Hall of Fame in 1952 along with Johnnie Rosasco. Billy would develop into one of the
greatest skaters in the history of the sport and would be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1953 along with Wes Aronson, Ivy
King & Peggy O´Neal.
Bogash lead many teams throughout the country during the 1940s and coached the New York Chiefs
to the first Roller Derby world championship at New York´s Madison Square Garden in 1949. He would later lead the Los Angeles
Braves when Derby made the move west in 1954. Bogash would continue to skate with the Braves throughout the 50s and be the
player/representative for all skaters in negotiations with Derby management. After retiring as an active skater, Bogash would
become successful in the restaurant business in Los Angeles and continued to live in Southern California for the next 55 years.
Bogash was married to his beautiful wife, Georgia, for the past fifty years. He has two sons, Billy, Jr. & Scott.
Internment will be in the family plot in Chicago after services in Southern California.
Billy Bogash was truly one
of the greatest stars on the banked track, but an exceptional man off the track, too. His appearance at the skaters´ ´Has
Beens´ reunion was always a highlight of the annual affair. ´Bogie´ would dance the night away with one partner after another,
but would always make sure to save the last dance for his gorgeous bride, Georgia.
Billy Bogash possessed a wealth
of knowledge about the history of the sport because he had been there from the beginning. He was a ´father´ figure to generations
of skaters, making sure to say the right words at the right time that would help the newest kid not give up. He shaped and
guided the sport like few other skaters and was instrumental in helping make Roller Derby the sensation it became during the
late 40s & 50s when the banked track sport was the talk of the nation.
Billy Bogash carried the race longer and better
than anyone else in the history of the sport. His skating colleagues and fans alike will never forget this legendary figure
of Roller Derby´s history. May he rest in peace with the gratitude and love of the millions whose lives he touched.
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2008 National Roller Derby Hall of Fame INDUCTEES
DARLENE
ANDERSON
Born Pasadena, CA, March 6, 1939. Joined Derby Sept. 7, 1957 in L.A.
'58 Rookie-of-the-Year. Darlene's status
as first African-American
skater in Roller Derby puts her in unique category for selection to
HOF. Skated with both
IRDL & NSD during 60s, becoming one of best
all-around, hardest-working skaters in the game. Women's captain of
NSD
Arizona Raiders 1962. Continued skating till end of 60s. An
inspirational figure, a true pioneer, for many who followed
her into
the sport.
MARY GARDNER
Born Oct. 21 in Knoxsville, Kentucky. Introduced to Derby in 1943 by
sister
Helen. Brothers Billy & Punky skated, too. Learned craft
during 40s becoming top female star. Acting women's captain of
Washington
Jets before joining Chiefs for '51 season. On first Derby
All-Star team (1950), again in '52. '52 RD Queen. One of four
Gardner
siblings who skated Derby. Late 50s Bay Bomber star with
husband, Bill Reynolds. Mary's selection to HOF honors entire
Gardner
skating family.
BILLY LYONS
From Omaha, Nebraska, the male 'Blond Bombshell' of Derby. Joined
1936.
Boxed professionally before Derby. Also called 'Wild Bill.'
With blonde hair and blue eyes, Billy was a reckless, daring
skater
and fan favorite. Held several world speed records. Sold race by
skating hard, fast and tough when it counted.
Became one of the
game's best blockers, too. A pioneer of the sport and one of the best
during the early Transcontinental
days.
PAUL MILANE
Originally from Cicero, Illinois. Born 1922. One of Derby's all-time
greats who learned craft
during early 40s. Early in career, partnered
with HOFer Gerry Murray, who he later married. Father of HOFer Mike
Gammon.
Milane's speed and agility, his intelligence and expertise
both offensively and defensively, were unsurpassed. Barnstormed
many
times across Europe, skating outlaw, making fans the world over.
Milane's selection to HOF honors another great
star of the game whose
contribution had been forgotten.
DAVE POUND
David Wayne Pound was born in Los Angeles
on June 3, 1937. Joined
Derby in San Diego, Sept. 1955. All-around skating star with
Westerners, Braves & Chiefs. Coached
Chicago & Hawaii in National.
One of the game's most powerful all-around skating stars and one of
its most beloved.
Rough skating style and never-back-down attitude
resulted in many injuries, which ended skating career early, but a
formidable
talent who continued to work for the good of the game in
other capacities.
GERTRUDE 'GERTIE' SCHOLL
Of German
Irish heritage from Chicago's South Side. Joined Derby in
'39. Broke quarter-mile and half-mile world record for women
early in
career. Top scorer, then one of the great defensive stars in the
history of the sport. Nicknamed 'Dirty Gertie'
while perfecting early
'red shirt' role. After two-year layoff, returned in '49, skating
with Brooklyn in first World
Series. A worthy and sentimental
selection celebrating the best of Derby's early days.
Announcers' Wing - DICK
LANE
Accomplished actor who was the voice of Roller Derby on the West Coast
during 50s. Later would become voice of
the Los Angeles Thunderbirds
& NSD during the 60s & 70s selling sport, match races and stars of the
sport. His 'Whoa,
Nellie!' became famous the world over. Brought
professionalism and show biz charm to National Skating Derby
broadcasts.
One of the best behind the microphone and in front of the
camera.
Executive Wing - WILLIAM GRIFFITH, Sr.
Advertising
executive who brought business savvy to Southern
California banked track skating experiment during the early 60s making
the
Los Angeles T-Birds the darlings of the new National Skating
Derby. Created a glossy version of the banked track game that
was
more theatrical than the original Derby by emphasizing individual
stars rather than teams. Instrumental in establishing
permanent bases
for the sport in Australia, Japan and Canada. Contribution to the
game should not be underestimated.
JOIN
US in LOS ANGELES on VALENTINE's DAY, FEB. 14, 2009!!!! |
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