HALL OF FAME
The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame
The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame was established in 1952 by the editors of Roller Derby News, beginning with the induction of Johnny Rosasco and Josephine 'Ma' Bogash. Twenty-one skaters were honored during the original era, from 1952 through 1968 — the final original induction year — with retirement serving as the principal documented eligibility condition of that period. Although no new inductions followed 1968, the Hall remained tied to the original organization until the International Roller Derby League ceased operations in 1973. After decades dormant, it was revived in 2004, and later inductions expanded recognition beyond skaters to executives, announcers, officials, writers, and other contributors to the sport. Roller Derby Legacy independently documents the known historical record of inductees and is not affiliated with or operated by the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame.
1952
2 inducteesJohnny Rosasco, Josephine "Ma" Bogash
The inaugural class of the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame, honoring two foundational figures of the sport's first generation.
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1953
5 inducteesBilly Bogash, Ivy King, Peggy O'Neal, and others
Second class, five inductees from the formative banked-track era.
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1956
2 inducteesGerry Murray, Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn
Two inductees — both pioneering women whose play helped define the women's pivot game.
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1959
2 inducteesCharlie "Spec" Saunders, Gene Gammon
Husband-and-wife couple Gene Gammon and Charlie Saunders honored in successive classes.
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1960
4 inducteesAnnis Jensen, Bert Wall, Russ "Rosie" Baker, and others
Four inductees representing the sport's middle generation.
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1963
1 inducteeKen Monte
Ken Monte — pivot, captain, and husband to fellow inductee Toughie Brasuhn.
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1965
3 inducteesBill Reynolds, Buddy Atkinson Sr., Hal Janowitz
Three inductees, including the patriarch of the Atkinson skating family.
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1967
1 inducteeCharlie O'Connell
Charlie O'Connell — one of the most recognized skaters in the sport's history.
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1968
1 inducteeAnn Calvello
Ann Calvello — the original 'Bad Girl' and a half-century career on the banked track.
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2004
12 inducteesAnnabelle "Slugger" Kealey, Elmer Anderson, Joan Weston, and others
First class of the revived Hall of Fame, inducted in Brooklyn, NY. Twelve inductees.
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2005
10 inducteesBobbie Johnstone, Buddy Atkinson Jr., Carl Payne, and others
Ten inductees, including the Seltzer family executives who created and sustained the sport.
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2006
12 inducteesBarbara Mateer, Carol Meyer, Freddie Noa, and others
Twelve inductees across skaters and announcers.
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2007
8 inducteesBill Morrissey, Bob Woodberry, Jean Porter, and others
Eight inductees, the first class to formally honor a referee (Bill Morrissey).
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2008
9 inducteesBill Griffiths Sr., Billy Lyons, Damon Runyon, and others
Nine inductees inducted across the 2008-2009 ceremonies, including announcers and a writer.
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2010
7 inducteesBob Hein, Frank Macedo, Gil Orozco, and others
Seven inductees.
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2012
7 inducteesBob Lewis, Bob Satterfield, Dolores Doss, and others
Seven inductees, including longtime memoirist Loretta Behrens and writer Frank Deford.
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2014
7 inducteesCathie Read, Joe Foster, John Hall, and others
Seven inductees.
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2016
7 inducteesBill Groll, Delores Tucker, Ken Kunzelman, and others
Seven inductees across skaters and an announcer.
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2022
12 inducteesAl Costa, B.J. Peterson, Bill Laurino, and others
Twelve inductees honored at the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame's 2022 ceremony — the most recent class documented by the archive.
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