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Rich Besser
When and where were you born?
I was born in Coney island, NY (Brooklyn) on September 23, 1957.
How old were you when you saw your first Roller Derby game?
I was 13 years old and my Dad said to me,..."Rich come see this sport on TV".
Did you ever roller skate (either for fun or professionally)? if so, when and do you still?
I started skating with metal street skates that you put your shoes in. This was in Brooklyn and I was 5 years old. Then when I saw Roller Derby at 13 yea rd old I learned to skate by myself at a roller rink in Levittown, NY which was on Long island. All my skating was for fun. I recently bought skates, (quads) and I skate on the streets in my neighborhood in Florida.
What do you remember if anything of your first game?
The first game I saw on TV was the NY Bombers vs the SF Bombers. This was Roller Games vs Roller Derby. I saw this big blond woman with pony tails fight this other big woman of the opposing team. I couldn't believe it, I saw two women fighting. I found out later that it was Joan Weston fighting Patty Cavin. During the first game I ever saw, I was hooked.
Did you become a fan immediately or did it take time?
Absolutely!! immediately.
Who is your favorite female skater of all time?
I have a few. Ann Calvello, Sandy Dunn and Joan Weston.
Who is your favorite male skater of all time?
Mike Gammon. He knows how to fly. I really believe he is an alien!! No one can go that fast!
What style of derby do you like the best?
I enjoyed the Derby with the teams of the Bombers, Chiefs and the Pioneers. I liked when the skaters jammed, blocked and fought! I would have liked to see the Roller Jam women learn how to fight like the old days!!
What do you do for a living now? (Optional)
I am an activity director for an assisted living community for seniors, in Orange City, Florida. I believe that when you live in a health care setting it is a place for you to enjoy life. I run an aerobic exercise group for seniors aged from the 70's to 102 years old. We also go on outings, play several intellectual games, spiritual activities and have lots of entertainment! I had Jannet Abraham come to my community twice! I had also had some of the Quakes, Hot Dice, Sundogs and Riot Roller Jammers skate and put on a demonstration. Amy Craig did the narration as the jammers went skating by.
What can fans do to bring Roller Derby back?
I would say call your TV stations and tell them to bring Roller Derby back! I would like to see more skating than story lines. I liked the idea of Danny Wolf of Roller Jam go up to a skater and do a quick interview after that skater made a great play!
What have you done to keep Roller Derby alive? And why?
I spoke with Steve Cole and told him about roller jammers coming to my work community. Steve ran the Roller Sports Report magazine and he asked to get some pictures of the skaters for his December issue. The skaters wore Christmas attire. When Steve gave up the magazine he spoke with Mike Yohnicki, President of the RDPA to put me on board with his staff. I sent Mike over 50 pictures of individual skaters of Roller Jam and Ann Calvello. In addition, I asked Mike if I can do a question and answer format of skaters. Mike thought that was a neat idea and gave me my own column called "Inside the Track". I also contacted Tim Patten to see if he would allow me to do interviews with players of the ARDL. Tim agreed. That column is now called "The Roller Sports Interview". When I was in my late teens I wanted to become a Bank Track skater but did not have the drive. However, it is in my blood! Soooo, I thought of a way to be part of the Derby scene and keep the skating alive with both my columns and photos!!
In any Roller Derby league making its way now, what are the most important factors which would make it successful?
As a fan, quad or inline?
I thought inline skating was interesting, yet I'd rather see quad skating. They should have more advertising and show the derby games of the 70's, 80's, 90's and 2000's on TV. Eventually get a following to bring Roller Derby back!!
In your interviews, who was the most available and friendly and helpful?
I had several. Ann Calvello, Brian Gallagher, Richard Brown, Joe Perez, Buddy Atkinson Jr and Jannet Abraham. I would like to thank Lisa Buchhold, (Sundog skater) for my start with doing interviews. Tim Patten was a major help and of course Mike and Michelle Yohnicki!
If you could interview any skater, who would it be?
Sandy Dunn, Mike Gammon, Judi McGuire and Margie Laszlo. I would also like to interview Denise and Sean Loden. Sorry Sean!
What would you ask that skater if you could only ask one question?
Why did you want to go into Roller Derby. What was it that made you decide on a skating career with the Bank Track?
Can you tell us, after interviewing so many skaters, why do they do it?
Most of the skaters answered this question by saying that they love to skate. Brian Gallagher, said in 10 years from now he wants to be a skater in the movies.
Do you ever wish you had been a skater? Or do you want to be a skater?
As I mentioned before, I wanted to be a Bank Track skater right after high school. However, once I saw Roller Jam which was very exciting in person, I changed my mind. Those skaters were to rough, for me. Tim Washington, Sean Atkinson, Mark Webber. They are great, but I prefer to watch Roller Derby/Jam in the audience!
What players would you dream to have on your home team?
Women: Ann Calvello, Debbie Rice, Denise Loden, Stacy Blitch, Amy Craig, Joan Weston and Judi McGuire.
Men: Sean Atkinson, Charlie O'Connell and Buddy Atkinson Jr in their prime. Mike Gammon, Brian Gallagher and Jason McDaniel.
Which players do you feel would make an exciting game as opponents?
Women: Telisa Miller, Jan Vallow, Lydia Clay, Heather Gunnin, Kim Hartt, Mindy Smith, Shay Brown and Skinny Minnie.
Men: Tim Washington, Mark Webber, Richard Brown, Tony Roman, Mark D'Amato, Travis Willis, and Eric Slopey.
Is there one skater or manager that exemplifies Roller Derby?
Buddy Atkinson Jr and Richard Brown.
Do you want Roller Derby to roll again?
Absolutely!!
If you had to describe Roller Derby to someone who had never seen it, how would you do it?
Roller Derby is skated on a banked track with skaters skating extremely fast, jamming, blocking and just plain old fashion boxing on skates!