WHATS IN A NAME

ROLLER DERBY

To each of us the name Roller Derby brings with it memories and
dreams. To each of us it means something different or the same.
For me, it recalls memories of friendships I still cherish, rivals I
still recall, dreams that were fulfilled. It represents a treasure
chest
of irreplacable times gone by. Recently there has been much
discussion of the use of the name,
ROLLER DERBY. I personally do
not know who, if anyone owns the rights to the name. My guess would
be, that if someone owned the rights, much of the current
discussion would be moot, and the name
ROLLER DERBY would not be in use as it is now.
As a retired old timer, I have very
strong feelings about all the new styles of games that have attached
themselves to that name. However, heres a little different
slant on this topic from a different point of view. While I will
always be a purist in regard to Derby, I remember from history, that
the True Game we all love started out as something very different
than the game it evolved into. The original Roller Derby started
as a marathon race, and over time grew into what we now remember as
the true Roller Derby. My point is simply, as much as we
might not love the new game, what if over a period of time, it too
evolves into a truer form of the game we remember and love?
When it comes to pleasing the public, and that's the bottom line, if
the sport is to grow and evolve, much of that progress will
depend on fan involvement and acceptance. Derby is like every other
pro sport, the fans dictate your progress by buying tickets.
It's not rocket science, give them what they want (BUILD IT AND THEY
WILL COME) they will support the game. I cannot tell you
about the 40's, but I can clearly recall the 50's and 60's. What
stands out most in my mind was the unbelievable chemistry of the
skaters of that era. It was pure magic. The personalities, the speed,
the power, the emotion, it was always special. I would love to
think that could be recaptured again in the present or future.
Sometimes there are just times so special, they can never be
duplicated,
nor should they be. I'm no different than most of you, I would like
nothing better than to turn on my TV, and see the game I loved
so much, being played the way is should be played. The only way I can
think of to cause change is thru education. If somehow
there was a way to televise the old games, maybe then there would be
an opportunity to rekindle the flame. It is difficult to
explain the real game to a generation that has never seen the real
thing. I can't fault the younger generation for exploring the
possibilities of creating a new roller derby, when they are clueless
of the original. Maybe it is our responsibility to teach them.
If we want to truly pass the torch, we need to show them how to carry
it. Respectfully Bonnie Nelson