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 Documentary Research and Practice
Indiana University
Franklin Hall 0030B
601 E. Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, IN 47405
Phone: 812/855-2856
Fax: 812/855-0002
E-mail: ohrc@indiana.edu
https://cdrp.mediaschool.indiana.edu
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 Franklin Hall, Room 0030B.
Copies of interview transcripts are also held by the IU Libraries University Archives.
Contact archives@indiana.edu for more information. For other locations housing the
interviews from this project, please contact the Center for Documentary Research and
Practice 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 Documentary Research and Practice 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. 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. Audio
files 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 audio 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 Documentary Research
and Practice, Indiana University, Bloomington, [page number(s) or tape number and
side if no transcript; if digital audio and no transcript, cite time when quote
occurs].
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.
-
Keywords
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Museum of Roller Skating
-
-
-
Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
-
-
Personal Names
- Anselmi, Holly
- Anselmi, Kurt
- MacMillan, William
- Martin, Fred
- Patton, Bud
- Shattuck, Red
- Van Roekel, Bud
- Wallis, Deborah
-
-
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
-
-
Corporation Names
- National Museum of Roller Skating
- Oaks Amusement Park
- Roller Skating Association
- Roller Skating Rink Operators of America
-
-
Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
-
-
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
-
-
Corporation Names
- Society of Roller Skating Teachers of America
- United States Federation of Amateur Roller Skaters
-
-
Occupation Names
- professional roller skater
- roller skating rink owner
-
-
Personal Names
- Anselmi, Albert
- Pickard, George H.
- Rosee, Irwin
- Shattenkerk, Cliff
- Shattuck, Red
- Van Roekel, Bud
-
-
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
-
-
Subjects
- competitive skating
- disco era
- organ music
- Pan-American Games
