‘He Lived A Million Lives’
“Jerry Seltzer, the promoter and owner of the original Roller Derby that was invented in Chicago, has died. He was 87,” ABC7 Chicago reports.
“Seltzer’s father, Leo, came up with concept 84 years ago with the first games played on the Near South Side. Jerry took over and turned Roller Derby into a TV empire with games broadcast on 130 stations nationwide. Fifty thousand Roller Derby fans once packed Comiskey Park for a champion match-up.”
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Wiki notes:
“In December 1937, sportswriter Damon Runyon saw the game in Coral Gables Florida, became enthralled, and with Leo Seltzer created a more structured game with more contact between the skaters and a new version of Roller Derby was created.”
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“Jerry assumed ownership of the league in 1959 and ran it until its demise in 1973.”
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“In the 1970s, Seltzer co-founded Bay Area Seating Service (BASS) Tickets, a San Francisco Bay Area computerized ticket service. From 1983 to 1993, he was a vice president of sales and marketing for Ticketmaster.”
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RollerDerbyJesus.com.
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Jerry Seltzer touched people in various different ways. Born out of the Great Depression, roller derby was meant to be FOR every person. Modern derby added to be BY every person. Jerry Seltzer has left us, so we lift a glass to everyone who has been a part of this amazing sport. pic.twitter.com/vpuh6axBoh
— Rolling Blackouts (@BlackoutRolling) July 3, 2019
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Sad to hear of the death of Jerry Seltzer-a roller derby promoter who tried to buy the struggling Oakland Seals. Despite a well-thought out biz plan, the NHL picked crazy Charlie Finley. Jerry detailed it for my iTunes film: The Calif. Golden Seals Story https://t.co/KSqHoVqOkT
— Mark Greczmiel (@sealshockeydoc) July 5, 2019
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https://t.co/waqvHeQwxF Jerry Seltzer, roller derby legend and founder of BASS Tickets, dies at 87
— Guitar’s Alchemy (@GuitarsAlchemy) July 5, 2019
Posted on July 10, 2019