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Roller Derby Classics and More!

by Jim Fitzpatrick

216 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); illustrated; catalogue #05-1589; ISBN 1-4120-6678-6; US$75.00, C$86.25, EUR61.61, £43.13

A look back, through rare and never before seen photos, at the original Roller Derby and the many outlaw leagues.

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About the Book      About the Author      Excerpts      Catalogue Information

About the Book

Former professional Roller Derby skater, referee, photographer and fan, Jim Fitzpatrick spent years compiling a huge collection of memorabilia of the original Roller Derby along with some of the outlaw leagues which sprang up over the years. Now for the first time he gives a glimpse into the wild world of banked track mayhem with many rare and never before seen photos. A number of photos had been given to him by his friend and Roller Derby legend, Ann Calvello. Ann wrote the forward to the book. Also a number of soon to be classic photos taken by Jonathan Perry, famed Roller Derby photographer, are included along with a few the author had taken over the years.

Enjoy this look back on a sport which refuses to die. The original Roller Derby ended in 1973 but today still lives on in a number of variations, including the all-girl leagues which now number in the thirties.

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About the Author

Jim Fitzpatrick was born and raised in San Francisco. He became hooked on Roller Derby at an early age and went on to skate for the world famous San Francisco Bay Bombers of the International Roller Skating League. While training to make the team he worked on the track construction crew, helping set up and dismantle the banked track (their playing field). During his rookie year, he skated in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A few years later, after suffering a number of shoulder separations, he became a referee. He refereed all the road trips the IRSL made across the country after they combined with Rollermania. He refereed four times in Madison Square Garden. On his last trip to the Garden, he was flown in ahead of time with four other skaters to perform Roller Derby stunts in a music video for MTV. He was also placed in charge of the track construction crew for that game.

After the IRSL folded, he worked for a number of other start-up leagues. In 1993 he made a return to skating. He was chosen as one of eight American skaters selected for the USA All-Star team which competed in a Roller Game World Cup held in Tokyo, Japan.

He is currently married with a lovely wife, Elvie, who he met while in the Philippines. He has two children, Joey and Vanessa, and resides in the Bay Area.

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Excerpts

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Catalogue Information

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