A look back at the New York Chiefs of the Roller Derby and Roller Games era, by Scott Stephens—author of ROLLING THUNDER: The Golden Age of Roller Derby and The Rise & Fall of the LA T-Birds.
The New York Chiefs were one of the most prominent teams in the history of Roller Derby, skating on the banked track from the league’s founding in 1949 until 1975. Based in New York City, the Chiefs played before huge crowds at legendary venues such as Madison Square Garden and Shea Stadium, becoming one of the original National Roller Derby League franchises and a powerhouse of the sport’s “Golden Age.”
New York Chiefs Championships
- 1949 World Championship – The Chiefs won the first Roller Derby World Series, defeating the Brooklyn Red Devils 26–21 at Madison Square Garden.
- 1951 World Championship – Chiefs captured their second title (details not fully documented).
- 1972 World Championship – The Chiefs beat the Jersey Jolters 50–44 at Madison Square Garden.
- 1973 World Championship – At Shea Stadium, the Chiefs edged the Midwest Pioneers 34–31 in the series final.
Team Colors
The Chiefs’ uniforms evolved over the years. While their traditional look was blue and white, they skated in purple and gold during the early 1960s, and in green and gold during their 1972 championship campaign.
Key Skaters
The Chiefs roster featured some of the greatest names in Roller Derby history:
- Charlie O’Connell – debuted with the Chiefs in 1953 before becoming “Mr. Roller Derby.”
- Mike Gammon – Rookie of the Year in 1959, Season MVP in 1960 and 1973.
- Buddy Atkinson Sr. – a respected veteran who anchored the team’s infield.
- Nick Scopas – “Nick the Greek,” who rose from skater in 1958 to successful coach.
- Ann Calvello – future icon of the sport, who skated with the Chiefs in 1952.
- Sandy Dunn – veteran captain who led the team to the 1973 championship.
- Judy McGuire, Jan Vallow, Carolyn Moreland – standout women’s skaters of the 1970s.
- Gerry Murray, Joe “Jo Jo” Kosmal, Gene Gammon, Dave Pound, Leroy Gonzales – other stars who defined different eras of the Chiefs’ success.
The ISC Merger and Final Years
In 1973, Jerry Seltzer sold the International Roller Derby League to Roller Games founder Bill Griffiths Sr., creating the International Skating Conference (ISC). Though promoted as a merger, the ISC leaned toward Roller Games’ theatrical style, sparking controversy with traditional fans. Most of Roller Derby’s storied franchises—the Bay Bombers, Jolters, and Red Devils—were eliminated. The Chiefs, however, survived as the only original Roller Derby team to carry on into the ISC.
The 1974 season saw the Chiefs face new international and domestic rivals, including the Tokyo Bombers at Madison Square Garden before 14,251 fans, and the Philadelphia Warriors, who went on to win the ISC World Championship. Despite flashes of success, financial struggles plagued the league. By 1975, the ISC folded, and with it, the Chiefs’ historic run came to an end.
Legacy
The New York Chiefs symbolized the blend of sport, spectacle, and New York grit that defined Roller Derby’s heyday. Their survival into the ISC era linked the old Roller Derby tradition to its flashier Roller Games counterpart, making them both a bridge and a bookend to the sport’s most celebrated years. Today, the Chiefs are remembered as one of the original and most successful Roller Derby teams, with a legacy cemented in championships, star power, and unforgettable nights under the lights of Madison Square Garden.
The Marquee Team of the 1950s
The New York Chiefs were the marquee team of Roller Derby during the 1950s, the franchise that defined the sport’s early glory years. While the Jersey Jolters emerged as their closest rivals, it was the Chiefs who stood at the top, consistently drawing huge crowds and capturing championships. In the following decade, the San Francisco Bay Bombers would rise to prominence, but in the era that ushered in rock & roll, the Chiefs reigned supreme. Their home battles at Madison Square Garden and the 69th Regiment Armory became iconic showcases of the sport’s growth and spectacle.
Want to continue reading more about the Roller Derby? The story continues in ROLLING THUNDER – The Golden Age of Roller Derby & the Rise and Fall of the LA T-Birds. Get it here:
Jerseys
