International Skating Conference

On the morning of Sunday, December 9, 1973, the New York Times printed the above advertisement of a Roller Derby doubleheader at Madison Square Garden.  There would be two games that day.

 

However, word got around prior to the event that there would be a major change.  Fliers were passed out to fans that either had tickets or were about to purchase them.  There would be two games but they would find out who the match ups were that are listed below.

 

Pioneers vs. Warriors (1st game)

Chiefs vs. T-Birds (2nd game)

 

It would turn out to be two inter-league match ups between Roller Derby and Roller Games.  It turned out to be the last time two Roller Derby teams of the IRDL would skate.  This ended up as a transition and a merger from two roller skating leagues to one.

 

Bill Griffiths was running the show now and was at Madison Square Garden for both games.  It was reported that the games were skated much more of a Roller Derby style.

 

After the first game between the Pioneers and Chiefs, it was reported, though no fans knew of this, the Pioneers were disbanded.  A number of their star players (Charlie O'Connell, Joan Weston, Ronnie Robinson, etc.) would be placed on the Los Angeles T-Birds.  Some other skaters were placed on other teams or ended up unemployed.  

 

O'Connell was reported doing commercials for upcoming T-Birds games while the second game of the doubleheader was going on.

 

Following the second game between the Chiefs and T-Birds, Griffiths decided that both teams would remain in a new merged league.  It would be called the International Skating Conference.

 

The only team remaining from Roller Derby was the New York Chiefs at this point.  Gone were the Midwest Pioneers, Ohio Jolters and the San Francisco Bay Bombers.

 

This fan knew nothing about Roller Derby folding nor a merger, until reading an Oakland Tribune article in mid February 1974.  It was stunning to find out that Roller Derby was gone!  However, I was willing to go see an ISC game between the Los Angeles T-Birds and the Baltimore Cats at the Oakland Arena on February 24th.

 

The game was a disaster.  Possibly three to four thousand fans were there for a Sunday afternoon game.  The group of fans I was with left after the sixth period of play.  Charlie O'Connell was mentioned in the articles, but was not in action and had an arm sling.  Joan Weston was not the Joan Weston that I was used to seeing.  It was boring to say the least.  It wouldn't be for three years before attending another game, at Kezar!   

 

Following the first of two International Skating Derby Championships, the San Francisco Bay Bombers would return for the remainder of the ISC on June 7, 1975.  The ISC was history following the second Championship Series between the Warriors and T-Birds which the T-Birds won.  

 

Eventually, what remained of the ISC would become Roller Superstars.

 

Regarding the Bay Bombers, they would be part of an outlaw league with teams such as the Pioneers and Raiders.  It was called the American Skating Derby.  The league would last until late 1975.  Then, that would be history.

 

By 1977, Roller Derby would return and would last roughly ten seasons.  More on what happened in a future post.