ROLLER DERBY GETS ITS LEGS FOR UPDATED RETURN TO TV.Byline: Keith Marder Daily News Television Writer Nearly 30 skaters of all shapes and ages raced among cones, skated laps and tried to impress onlookers at the Ice Chalet on Friday with hopes of playing Roller Derby For the skate brand of the same name, see . Roller derby is an American-invented contact sport—and historically, a form of sports entertainment—based on formation roller skating around a track. . You heard right. Roller Derby. The sport, updated and improved, is making a comeback in a new television show called ``RollerJam,'' which will debut on the Nashville Network in January. ``I never thought it would come back,'' said World Skating League commissioner Jerry Seltzer Jerry Seltzer was the second and final owner of the original Roller Derby league. The league and the sport of roller derby were created in 1935 in Chicago by Leo Seltzer, Jerry's father. , who was a honcho Honcho A slang term describing the leader or person in charge of an organization. Notes: The CEO of a company could be referred to as the honcho or "head honcho." See also: CEO, CFO, COO, Insider, Leprechaun Leader with the original Roller Derby. ``But I guess everything comes back.'' The World Skating League had representatives in town running these men and women through drills, looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. speed, agility, ability and, of course, good looks. Right now the league has four 14-member teams - each consisting of seven men and seven women - and is looking for as many additional players as are worthy. One player who certainly caught the eye of Seltzer, producer Brian Gadinsky and the gaggle of former Roller Derby players in attendance was Chris Nelson
Chris Nelson is the Secretary of State of South Dakota. Role in Possible Replacement of U.S. . ``We are looking for people who combine both the superior skating skills required,'' Gadinsky said, ``with a great sense of charisma while being telegenic tel·e·gen·ic adj. Having a physical appearance and exhibiting personal qualities that are deemed highly appealing to television viewers: "Do we insist on a telegenic President?" William F. .'' He could very well have been describing Nelson. A former professional hockey player, Nelson, 26, graduated from the University of Wisconsin, where he won two ice-hockey national championships. Now he is the prototypical player for the latest incarnation of Roller Derby. He is solidly built at 6-foot-2, 205 pounds, and a fast skater by any standard. Nelson also oozes with style. He finished one slalom course with a wink and a point to the people watching on the sidelines On the sidelines An investor who decides not to invest due to market uncertainty. on the sidelines Of or relating to investors who, having assessed the market, have decided to avoid committing their funds. , prompting Seltzer to refer to him as an ideal candidate. ``I've always been a natural skater,'' said Nelson who lives in Westwood. ``It's something I never had to work on.'' To make the game faster and flashier, ``RollerJam'' will shed itself of quad skates in favor of in-lines, and the Polymax play surface will speed up the pace. But Mark D'Amato, 43, of West Hollywood will be staying firmly on all fours - on quads, that is. The player/coach of the New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of Enforcers started 25 years ago as an original Roller Derby player, and this will be his third go-round in the sport that has waxed and waned in popularity twice already. ``I got a phone call out of the clear blue sky,'' he said. ``I'll be the only skater on quads in the whole league, so I'll have to work harder.'' CAPTION(S): 2 Photos Photo: (1) Margaret Dykstra leads the pack during ``RollerJam'' tryouts Friday at the Ice Chalet in Panorama City. The television show is updating Roller Derby with such '90s accouterments ac·cou·ter·ment or ac·cou·tre·ment n. 1. An accessory item of equipment or dress. Often used in the plural. 2. Military equipment other than uniforms and weapons. Often used in the plural. 3. as in-line skates. (2) Chris Nelson's skating skills, hockey experience and charisma may be his ticket to a spot in the World Skating League. Charlotte Schmid-Maybach/Special to the Daily News |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion