Ronnie Smith Robinson (25 September 1939[1] – April 2001[2]) was an American roller derby skater and coach.
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | September 25, 1939 |
| Died | April 2001 (aged 61–62) |
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) |
| Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Roller derby |
| Team | New York Chiefs Chicago Westerners Brooklyn Red Devils Northeast Braves San Diego Clippers Mexico City Cardenales New England Braves Chicago Pioneers Los Angeles Thunderbirds |
| Turned pro | 1958 |
| Retired | 1974 |
| Now coaching | 1969–1972, 1975, 1991–1992 |
The son of boxer Sugar Ray Robinson, Robinson grew up distant from his father, who divorced his mother shortly before his birth.[1] Sugar Ray advised Ronnie not to follow him into the world of boxing.[3] After watching roller derby on television, he decided to join the sport,[1] and enrolled in its training school in March 1958, initially under the pseudonym "Ronald Smith." He turned professional after five months,[4] being placed on the New York Chiefs team.[5][6]
Robinson was the fourth African American to play roller derby professionally, after Maurice Plummer, George Copeland, and Darlene Anderson.[7] He was a member of the All-Star team for more than ten consecutive years, and was twice named the Most Valuable Player.[4] On one occasion, Robinson fractured his arm in several places, and was unsure whether he would ever be able to use it again.[3] He also lost his front teeth in a fight with Bob Woodberry, and suffered several concussions.[4]
In 2004 Robinson was inducted to the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.[8]
References edit
- ^ a b c [page needed] Herb Royd and Ray Robinson, Pound for Pound: A Biography of Sugar Ray Robinson.
- ^ Bill Gallo, "These Debates Can Be Hair-Raising", New York Daily News, 22 April 2001.
- ^ a b Chester Higgins, "People Are Talking About", Jet, 4 February 1971, p. 42.
- ^ a b c "The Old Brawl Game", Ebony, November 1973, pp. 56-62.
- ^ "Sugar Ray's Skating Son", Ebony, October 1960, p. 65.
- ^ Behrens, Loretta. "Derby Memoirs : A Tribute To Roller Derby History - Ronnie Robinson". Derby Memoirs. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Marino, Michella M. (2021). Roller derby : the history of an American sport. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 91. ISBN 9781477323823.
- ^ "Events & Inductees". Roller Derby Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
- ^ Keith Coppage, Roller Derby to RollerJam, p.123