Ronnie Robinson (roller derby)

Ronnie Smith Robinson (25 September 1939[1] – April 2001[2]) was an American roller derby skater and coach.

Ronnie Robinson
Personal information
NationalityAmerican
Born(1939-09-25)September 25, 1939
DiedApril 2001 (aged 61–62)
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight170 lb (77 kg)
Sport
SportRoller derby
TeamNew York Chiefs
Chicago Westerners
Brooklyn Red Devils
Northeast Braves
San Diego Clippers
Mexico City Cardenales
New England Braves
Chicago Pioneers
Los Angeles Thunderbirds
Turned pro1958
Retired1974
Now coaching1969–1972, 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
  1. Herb Royd and Ray Robinson, Pound for Pound: A Biography of Sugar Ray Robinson.
  2. Bill Gallo, "These Debates Can Be Hair-Raising", New York Daily News, 22 April 2001.
  3. Chester Higgins, "People Are Talking About", Jet, 4 February 1971, p. 42.
  4. "The Old Brawl Game", Ebony, November 1973, pp. 56-62.
  5. "Sugar Ray's Skating Son", Ebony, October 1960, p. 65.
  6. Behrens, Loretta. "Derby Memoirs : A Tribute To Roller Derby History - Ronnie Robinson". Derby Memoirs. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  7. Marino, Michella M. (2021). Roller derby : the history of an American sport. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 91. ISBN 9781477323823.
  8. "Events & Inductees". Roller Derby Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  9. Keith Coppage, Roller Derby to RollerJam, p.123
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