Roller Skating Association, 2001
A Guide to the Collection of Oral History Interviews at Indiana University
Bloomington
Finding aid prepared by the staff of the Center for
the Study of History and Memory with a grant from the National Endowment for the
Humanities Division of Preservation and Access, 2000-2002
Overview of the Collection
Repository
Indiana University Center for the Study of History and Memory
Indiana University
400 North Sunrise Drive
Weatherly Hall North, Room 122
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
http://www.indiana.edu/~cshm
Creator
Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory
TitleRoller Skating Association, 2001
Project No.
ohrc109
Interviews
4 interviews. Audiotapes, transcripts, and collateral
materials.
Physical Location
Interviews are housed in Weatherly Hall North, Room
122. Copies are also housed at the Indiana University Archives in Herman B Wells
Library E460. For other locations housing the interviews from this project, please
contact the Center for the Study of History and Memory office.
Language
Materials are in English.
Abstract
In this project, four former professionals in the roller skating
business recount their experiences as well as their hopes for the future of
roller skating. All four men discuss the relationship beteen skating and music.
In particular, these men seem to be nostalgic for organ music and the disco
era. They also discuss different inventions that revolutionized the skating
business, such as floor waxes and in line skates.
Scope and Content Note
This collection contains four interviews conducted over two months in 2001. The interviews range from five to twenty-eight
pages of typed transcripts. All interviews consist of audio tapes, typed transcripts, and collateral materials.
Administrative Information
Acquisition Information
Oral history interviews conducted by the Indiana University Center for the
Study of History and Memory from 1968 to the present, with particular focus on the
history of twentieth-century America and the Midwest.
Usage Restrictions
The archive of the Center for the Study of History and Memory at Indiana
University is open to the use of researchers. Copies of transcript pages are
available only when such copies are permitted by the deed of gift signed by the
interviewee. Scholars must honor any restrictions the interviewee placed on the
use of the interview. Since some of our earlier (pre-computer) transcripts do
not exist in final form, any editing marks in a transcript (deletions,
additions, corrections) are to be quoted as marked. Tapes may not be copied for
patrons unless the deed of gift permits it, and a transcript is unavailable for
that interview. The same rules of use that apply to a transcript apply to the
taped interview. Interviews may not be reproduced in full for any public use,
but excerpted quotes may be used as long as researchers fully cite the data in
their research, including accession number, interview date, interviewee's and
interviewer's name, and page(s).
Preferred Citation
[interviewee first name last name] interview, by [interviewer first name last
name], [interview date(s)], [call number], [project name], Center for the Study
of History and Memory, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape
number and side if no transcript].
Interview List
Interviewee
Anselmi, Albert
January 26,
2001
Call Number
01-001
Physical Description
21 pages; 2 cassettes, 1 7/8 ips; index; 5 letters, 1
photograph of interviewee
Interviewer
Anselmi, Robert
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Albert Anselmi talks about his life in the
business of roller skating. He talks about equipment improvements as well as
other changes to the industry since he began. He focuses on organ music and the
success of the disco era in the nineteen seventies. Anselmi also speaks about
teaching children, championships, and the liability of owning a rink.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Museum of Roller Skating
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
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-
Personal Names
- Anselmi, Holly
- Anselmi, Kurt
- MacMillan, William
- Martin, Fred
- Patton, Bud
- Shattuck, Red
- Van Roekel, Bud
- Wallis, Deborah
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Subjects
- disco era
- Olympic recognition
- public image
- skating associations
- skating championships
- skating clubs
- skating competition
- speed skating
- teaching skating
- World War II
Interviewee
Bollinger, Robert
February 17,
2001
Call Number
01-004
Physical Description
5 pages; 1 cassette, 1 7/8 ips; index; 5 letters, 1
photograph of interviewee
Interviewer
Henry, Robin
Access Status
Restricted: Roller Skating Association and scholarly research
only; tapes are closed
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Robert Bollinger talks about his experiences
as a member of the Roller Skating Association and Roller Skating Rink Operators
of America, or the RSA/RSROA, and as a professional roller skater. He comments
on what he sees as the failings of the public image of roller skating. He
contends that a more family-oriented approach should be taken toward the roller
skating business. In addition, he talks about who he thinks are the most
influential people in roller skating over the years.
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Keywords
-
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Corporation Names
- National Museum of Roller Skating
- Oaks Amusement Park
- Roller Skating Association
- Roller Skating Rink Operators of America
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Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
-
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Personal Names
- Bergin, Fred
- Betts, Weston
- Brown, Vic
- Cahill, Chuck
- Martin, Fred
- Pickard, George H.
- Plimpton, James
-
-
Subjects
- organ music
- public image
Interviewee
Nazzaro, Joseph
February 16,
2001
Call Number
01-003
Physical Description
20 pages; 2 tapes, 1 7/8 ips; index; 5 letters, 1
photograph of interviewee
Interviewer
Henry, Robin
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, Joseph Nazzaro talks about his involvement in
the roller skating industry. He developed a floor wax called Roll-on, which
revolutionized both recreational and professional rollerskating. Nazzaro also
comments on different skating competitions like the Gold Skate Classic, in
which he participated to improve the public image of roller skating.
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Keywords
-
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Corporation Names
- Society of Roller Skating Teachers of America
- United States Federation of Amateur Roller
Skaters
-
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Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
-
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Personal Names
- Anselmi, Albert
- Pickard, George H.
- Rosee, Irwin
- Shattenkerk, Cliff
- Shattuck, Red
- Van Roekel, Bud
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Subjects
- The Beatles
- big band Era
- floor wax
- Gold Skate Classic
- roller blades
- skate dancing
- star program
Interviewee
Pickard, George H.
January 26,
2001
Call Number
01-002
Physical Description
28 pages; 2 cassettes, 1 7/8 ips; index; 6 letters, 2
photographs of interviewee
Interviewer
Henry, Robin
Access Status
Open
Scope and Content Note
In this interview, George Pickard talks about his involvement in
the roller skating business. He mostly talks about the important events and
figures in roller skating during the last century. Pickard became interested in
skating recreationally and eventually became professionally involved in the
business aspects. Pickard also talks extensively about music in the skating
industry and the connection different genres of music have had on the success
of roller skating rinks around the country.
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Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Museum of Roller Skating
-
-
Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
-
-
Personal Names
- Anselmi, Albert
- Brown, Vic
- Castro, Gary
- Martin, Rose
- Martin, Bob
- Nazzaro, Joseph
- Ostro, Elmer
- Plimpton, James
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Subjects
- competitive skating
- disco era
- organ music
- Pan-American Games