Ronnie Robinson (roller derby)
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Ronnie Smith Robinson (25 September 1939[1] – April 2001[2]) was an American roller derby skater and coach.
Personal information | |
---|---|
Nationality | American |
Born | (1939-09-25)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]