Roller Derby in NYC 

Agree I saw one bout as they call it today. Sorry nothing compares to the game of the past which had it on a banked track. I understand there are a few leagues that do utilize a banked track today however if it's anything that I witnessed, too slow with a lot of rules. Not needed. Yes one we loved may had been rigged or theatrical though honestly Skaters then had a lot of talent that is of no comparison to today's Roller Derby. Roller Derby @ least back then had some sense of realism too. Unlike Roller Games. Sad that league had great skaters too however too much over the top theatrics while Derby kept it to a minimum.

You're welcome!

replaybb kinda like the NFL lol

Roller Derby was a tough, mixed, carnival of a sport. Part competition, part spectacle, and part show. Not comparable to pro wrestling. The exciting thing was that you never knew what was real and what was played up for the audience.

@@charlesb.6434 In Roller Derby true. In Roller Games, it was pretty much all spectacle.

My pleasure!

Definitely! I agree with you!

You're welcome, George!

The Multi-Hydra winning Gotham Girls Roller Derby have news for you....

@@donaldpaluga Sorry current Derby does zero for me. More as the late Jerry Seltzer said best described today's game as a "Rugby scrimmage" which does to me too. Doesn't even come close to the game before.

He’s dead. Bob’s my grandfather

@@reneewoodberry2271 So sorry to hear. We loved to hate him. One of the greats!

​@@reneewoodberry2271Didn't know Bob passed. Wasn't in the papers. Same thing with Charlie O.

I saw a game from that same series on Aug. 11, 1973 from MSG's Felt Forum. Part of that game is shown in the video above.

Definitely Woodberry held his own not only against O'Connell many others as well. Sad remember the few games Woodberry skated against the Thunderbirds shortly after 1974 & the ISC was formed, appeared to just go through the motions. I think he was even named Player Coach after Bill Groll left in disgust. Woodberry didn't last long either followed suit.

@@georgegong6813 You learn something new every day! I did not know this. Who was Woodberry and Groll skating for when they skated against the T-Birds? I know at one time, he and Groll skated together when they were with the Chiefs.

@@donniehagy5125 Thought I noted it was on the 1974 New York Chiefs. Like to say January or February. I saw the game on San Francisco UHF Station Channel 44, then an independent television station. Needless to say I followed Roller Games then too on the promise of the best of Games & Derby with stricter rules. Then no need to remind you that all ended quickly I believe March when there was literally a mass exodus of Derby Skaters. I recall one game Mike Gammon was made Player Coach I think in a game against the Philadelphia Warriors. Shortly after that both Mike & Judi retired as well.

BJ Peterson Gwen Miller peanuts Meyer

Doubt if much could be found other then what was provided to this show unless MSG had them within their archives or vault itself. Note last year I visited Madison Square Garden & took a tour of the facility. Many of the events past & present were of course displayed on it's walls. Sadly didn't find one even old Roller Derby picture. Roller Derby Hall Of Fame which was supposed to had been within Madison Square Garden no longer exists.

My family followed The Derby from 1969 until it went out in1973!!! We moved from Pittsburgh to the Bay Area!!! We were so happy that the IRSL brought back all the main skaters for awhile in 1977 until it folded again in 1986!!! Bill Groll did such a outstanding job after Charlie retired!!! The ESPN games are the last of the IRSL and that big 8 period game from Madison Garden Bombers vs Eastern Express!!! The recent Bomber games from the current league was terrible!!! No one could skate let alone play!!! Someone needs to assemble a ultimate Roller Derby collection From 1973 and put it on bluray!!!

@@grumpyluke8208 I agree with you luckily that last league you are referring to were promoted by the late Dan Ferrari were a total joke! More like an old timer's Roller Games then anything else. Many were too old & out of shape,. Nice to see they tried to keep Roller Derby going though sorry not worth the price of admission. Heard too the Skaters didn't even get paid & volunteered to perform since there was little profit made off of the low attendance as well as high cost of the arena, track transportation, etc.

@@georgegong6813 Sorry for taking so long. It saddens me that most of Roller Derby history is gone. By the way I was shocked to hear that Shawn Atkinson passed away. He didn't look like the steroid upped guy from Roller Jam.

@@grumpyluke8208 Yes more Skaters that pass. More like Chet Coppick, Ken Kunzelman, & the true voice of Roller Derby, Walt Harris that are now long gone & passed, any real legitimate way of bringing the game we all know & love will sadly not come back. I too yearn for those years again. Best time of my childhood! I follow the big 4 major sports be it Baseball, Basketball, Football, & Hockey. Call it sports entertainment if you like, Roller Derby will always remain a special part of that sports interest in me as well!

No, I'm sorry I don't. I was there, too.

George, this was around 2004. I've been waiting for them to do another segment but they never did. :( Mike

Thanks Mike I was wondering or better put...Hoping for more episodes! Hopefully there will be you never know! After all they are basing it on old games from the past!

Sorry, I was not a fan of Roller Games.

It be interesting to view the Thunderbird games in the early part of 1974 after the Games acquired a lot of the Derby Skaters. Of interest to me be the Games with O'Connell skating on the Thunderbirds. Though must agree with the person who posted this video. Not a big fan of the Games myself. Though they had some great Skaters, many a former Derby Skater too. Rarely were they able to really show their skills with all the theatrics that occurred within Games & the National Skating Derby

I actually saw the T Birds skate a game at Madison Square Garden. I think it was on a Sunday afternoon around 1982 or 1983.

Yes, that was in 1983. I never knew about the game but I wouldn't have gone anyway had I known. The real Roller Derby was gone at the end of 1973 and I hated Roller Games.

@@NYRNGR1 Roller Games was an inferior league and in my opinion a joke.