Janet Earp
BY ONE-TIME JANET EARP FAN CLUB PRESIDENT
ELLEN LOFTUS
I'd like to start this off with an interesting little tidbit. Janet never had any intentions of becoming a skater! She had no real knowledge of Roller Derby at all when she went to the Alameda training center on a dare!! Shortly thereafter, Larry Smith asked her if she'd be interested in skating on the road. Janet hesitated at first, but when she realized she might see her sister and brother-in-law (a professional baseball player) back East, she accepted. Pretty good plan, right? Wrong!! Soon her brother-in-law was sent to the West coast!!! And so, Janet's first road trip and Roller Derby career began..... I met Janet just over 30 years ago when she was skating with the San Francisco Bay Bombers (#39). A very effective skater, her job was primarily that of a blocker, although she donned the jammer's helmet with skill as well. Versatile, indeed!!! Her efforts earned her "Rookie of the Year" honors in 1966.
Shortly after Janet began skating, I started a fan club for her. I quickly discovered that she had many fans who appreciated her skating abilities as much as I did. It was a lot of fun and Janet was great about everything! Janet was traded to the Midwest Pioneers in 1968 and later skated with the Northeast Braves, Red Devils and lastly, with the Eagles.
I recently asked Janet to reflect back on her skating career and share some of her favorite memories. She truly loved the road trips, however gruelling (sometimes driving 500 miles or more to skate a game, take a quick shower, then off again to their next destination). Many friendships started back then that continue to this day. Janet no longer skates and now lives in the Northwest. She enjoys camping and fishing and can tell some of the best stories about going out into the wilderness!
I'd like to end this by saying Janet is my friend as well as my mentor. My life is better for just knowing her.
