Hi Dave. The Roller Games junior league was
short-lived and there weren’t any concrete teams. It
was the same 25 or so juniors, reshuffled every week
(meaning, one week you were on the “good” team and the
next week you were on the “bad” team). L.A. Dons (they
wore an all white uniform) was the farm club, if you
will, for the T-Birds. Their games (a full 8 periods)
were played before the T-Bird game (it was a
double-header). Terrible games truthfully (no one knew
what they were doing) but this junior league was there
to give the players some game experience. After each
junior game, one or two promising juniors were
selected to play in the T-Bird game (usually they were
put on the “bad” team). You said you grew up on Roller
Derby, so you may not know some of these names.
Besides Vickie McEwen and Harold Jackson, here are a
few people who came out of the juniors: Jennifer
Marshall, Billy Marshall (her brother), Vickie Steppe,
Gail Bowers and Donna Young.

Dave, I don’t know if you ever skated at the Olympic
Auditorium but in the old days, the skaters had to
walk down a flight of stairs to get to the track.
Well, the junior leaguers weren’t allowed to walk down
with their skates ON. They would make their way down
to the track IN THEIR SOCKS carrying their skates, go
to the infield and then put them on.


--- dave_marez <dave_marez@...> wrote:

> Hiya Renee. I grew up watching roller derby so your
> educating me
> about the roller games. I don't know that much about
> the LA Dons. Do
> you remember the color of their uniforms? Were there
> several junior
> league teams? Hope to hear back from you. Take care
> and round and
> round and round at the roller derby! WWWwwwEEEeee!!!
>
> Dave Marez
>
>
>
>
> --- In bankedtracknews@yahoogroups.com, Renee
> Chessman
> <rene_chessman@y...> wrote:
> > Thank you, Dave, for the POSITIVE news! It's
> > refreshing to read about the Covina event after
> the
> > recent series of PETTY squabbles that have
> occurred
> > recently on BTN.
> >
> > It's amazing to me that some of the names you
> listed
> > are still skating. I saw the likes of Vickie
> McEwen
> > and Harold Jackson, among others, skate when they
> were
> > in the RG old junior league, circa '70-'71
> (remember
> > the L.A. Dons?). Vickie and Harold must be in
> their
> > early 50's now. (Weren't they married at one
> point?)
> > And Julie Patrick?! Wow! God bless her!
> >
> > Rene
> >
> > --- Dave Marez <dave_marez@y...> wrote:
> >
> > > Hiya everyone. The grand opening of RGI and the
> Los
> > > Angeles Thunderbirds was held today from 1-5 pm.
> > > They officially opened there training center.
> > > They are located at:
> > > 1560 W. Industrial Park Street
> > > Covina, CA
> > > Telephone number is 1-888-8-T-BIRDS
> > > Hours: Monday - Thursday 7-10 pm, Sat & Sun 4-6
> pm
> > >
> > > In attendance were Bill & Dodie Griffiths, Bob V
> > > (new owner), Julie "Ace" Patrick, Marty Spencer,
> > > Harold and Kit Jackson, Georgia Hazz, Leon &
> Bernie
> > > Jackson, EG & Gwen Miller, Jackie (Gwens
> daughter),
> > > Pat Jones, Mary Ann Carr, Gail Bowers, Stephanie
> > > Garcia, Patsy Delgado, Dave Martinez, Ray
> Robles,
> > > Raymond Rose, Greg Roberts, Vicky McEwen,
> Darlene
> > > Langlois, Andrew & Nora Taylor, Mad Maxx, Karey
> > > Marengo, Maverick Howard. Loli & Patrick
> > > Outhoummountry & family. Plus there were a whole
> > > bunch of new and talented new kids like Ope,
> Brian,
> > > Rickey and so many others that I don't even
> remember
> > > their names. I believe the announcer that did
> > > interviews was Jim McErnie. There was also some
> > > reporters from the press in attendance. Please
> > > forgive if I forgot anyones name because it was
> so
> > > crowded as I believe there were more than 40
> skaters
> > > on the track at one time working out. I had a
> > > wonderful time. Although I didn't take any
> > > photographs I did see many that were. There was
> so
> > > much chicken of all
> > > different spices and beverages. The cutest
> little
> > > thing I seen today was Harold Jackson son
> (forgot
> > > his name) had his tiny little itty bitty
> daughter
> > > out there on the infield skating with her little
> > > pink helmet and little pink skates on. That was
> just
> > > too cute! Skates accessories are sold at the
> > > Thunderbird Training Center and the prices are
> > > really good. I just purchased a new set of
> wheels
> > > and bearings last week and they were very
> reasonable
> > > prcied. If anyone has ever dreamt of becoming a
> > > skater now is the time to do it as it is just so
> > > much FUN! The energy that I get from other
> skaters
> > > while working out on the track is a natural
> high.
> > > Round and round and round at the roller derby!
> > > WWWwwwEEEeee!!!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > Round and round and round at the Roller Derby!
> > > WWWwwwEEEeee!!!
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ---------------------------------
> > > Sell on Yahoo! Auctions - No fees. Bid on
> great
> > items.
> >
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
> > http://mail.yahoo.com
>
>
>


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