The 1961 Season

Before sharing the 1961 season, an update on who was selected to Roller Derby's Hall Of Fame by the Roller Derby News.

 

In 1956, two great women skaters in Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn and Gerry Murray were selected.  Both ladies were rivals over the years, particularly during the Eastern seasons of 1949-1954.

 

In 1959, Gene Gammon and Charlie "Spec" Saunders were selected.

 

Finally, in 1960, the late Tommy Atkinson, Russ "Rosie" Baker, Annis Jensen and Bert Wall would be picked.

 

Now, to the 1961 season.  This post will mention three different leagues this season.  It is a little long so please bear with this blogger on this.

 

First, the NRDL.  One could say that the San Francisco Bay Bombers were likely clicking on all cylinders in 1961.  They appeared to win every series they played.  Their only series loss was to the Red Devils in the June timeframe.  The Bombers, despite the one series loss, would go on to win the league pennant.

 

There would be a game on May 3, 1961 in which the highest Roller Derby scoring record would happen.  In that game, the Bombers' Joe Foster broke a personal and team record that had stood for about 10 years.  The Bombers defeated the Hawaiians at the Richmond Auditorium, 102-85!  Foster scored 37 points in that game.  The team the Bombers played, the Honolulu Hawaiians were in their first season in the NRDL.

 

Teams that participated in the 1961 season were the Bombers, Brooklyn Red Devils, the Hawaiians, the New York Chiefs, Los Angeles Braves and San Diego Clippers, another new team.

 

The coaches for the 1961 season......Charlie O'Connell (Bombers), Hal Janowitz (Hawaiians and Clippers), Freddie Noa (Hawaiians), Ken Monte, Butch Knerr, Dave Pound and John Parker (Red Devils), Bob Venter (Chiefs) and Bill Laurino (Braves).

 

The Roller Derby World Series (now known as the Championship Playoffs) would take place at two different venues for the first time.  It would also be the last time that the two venues mentioned would be used in NRDL/IRDL history.

 

During the season, each team, except the Chiefs, would make two appearances to Northern California.  The Chicago Westerners, was rumored to possibly return during the season.  However, it would be 1962 before returning.  The Chiefs and the Clippers did not make the playoffs.

 

The Oakland Auditorium was the site for the semi final round.  On September 1, 1961, before 5500 fans (per sources), the Hawaiians defeated the Red Devils and the Bombers edged out the Braves.  Both games were won by two points!

 

The following night, September 2nd, the Red Devils edged out the Braves for third place.  In the Championship Game, Charlie O'Connell's scoring in the final moments, gave the Bombers, a come-from-behind victory.  Both games were at the Civic Auditorium before 6500 fans.  

 

Though both games were sellouts, future playoff games would be held at either the Daly City Cow Palace or the Oakland Coliseum, or both beginning in 1967.

 

The Bombers would win the majority of the awards as well.  Judy Arnold and Dewitt Quarles would win Women's/Men's Rookie Of The Year.

 

Annis Jensen and Charlie O'Connell would be named Roller Derby Queen and King.

 

Joe Foster was the Men's Regular Season MVP and Charlie O'Connell was the Playoff MVP.

 

Finally, Annis Jensen, Judy Sowinski and Carol Meyer, for the women, along with Joe Foster and Charlie O'Connell for the men, would be selected for the two All Star Teams.

 

The remainder of the awards:  Joan Weston (Red Devils) was the Women's Regular Season MVP.  Barbara Mateer (Hawaiians) was the Women's Playoff MVP.  Barbara Mateer (Hawaiians) and Joan Weston (Red Devils) along with Hal Janowitz (Hawaiians), John Parker (Red Devils) and Bert Wall (Braves) were the remainder skaters that were selected to the Women's/Men's All Star Teams!

 

It appeared hardly that Roller Derby did not skate in other cities after September.  There were a sprinkling of games but not like the past.  There were a couple of games in Texas that was put on by Bert Wall Enterprises.  However, they were not a part of the NRDL.

 

However, another league in Roller Games did!

 

Second, to Roller Games - Before Roller Derby resumed the following April (like April 1, 1962), Roller Games was in full swing.  Teams such as the Orange County Bobcats, Chicago Cyclones, Detroit Devils and Texas Outlaws were skating in the Fall of 1961.

 

However, by early 1962, Roller Games would be turned over to Bill Griffiths and Jerry Hill.  The formation of the Los Angeles Thunderbirds happened.  Olympic Auditorium (picture at the top of the post), located on 18th and Grand in Los Angeles would be the home for the team.  The Grand Olympic Auditorium was built in 1924 and would be a host for the 1932 Summer Olympics that were in the Los Angeles area.

 

From sources, their first game was on March 10, 1962 against the Texas Outlaws at the Olympic.  Eventually, KTLA TV would be the flagship station for Roller Games and Dick Lane would describe the action.

 

The first season, I understand, would culminate with what was called the President's Cup sometime in 1962.  The Detroit Devils would win the President's Cup in a four overtime win over the T-Birds.  However, the T-Birds would win their share of Roller Games Championships over the years.

 

Finally, to the American Skating Derby.  In April 1961, there would be a series of games between two teams.  They were the New York Raiders and the Brooklyn Bombers.  There appears to be no record of the scores or who won.  As it was reported, there would be a division within the league.  There would be an additional league from this called the Eastern Skating Derby.  The league would continue until 1964 per sources.  

 

If anyone wants to share more about the two leagues, please message this blogger.  Will be more than happy to update any info here.