Ann Calvello
Encyclopedia
Ann Theresa Calvello was a U.S.
athlete and notable personality in the sport of roller derby
.
Ann Calvello graduated from Presentation High School in San Francisco, CA in June 1947.
Calvello had competed in roller derby in seven decades: the 1940s through the 2000s. She broke into the sport in 1948 originally skating for a league called International Rollerspeedway. Calvello, who often sported dyed hair and wild makeup, was known for her temper along with her unconventional looks. She was nicknamed "Banana-Nose" by fans. She travelled the world skating in Europe
, Guam
, Philippines
, Cuba
, Australia
and of course all over the United States. She broke her nose 12 times during her career. Her most famous rival on the track was the late Joan Weston
.
Ann gave birth to a daughter, Teri Ann Langley-Conte, on August 11, 1953.
In 2001, Demon Of The Derby, a biographical documentary film about Calvello, was completed by Fireproof Productions. It has been released on DVD, and is occasionally screened at fundraisers organized by roller derby leagues.
In 2005, Calvello contributed many rare photos and clippings from her personal collection to the book Roller Derby Classics…and more! by Jim Fitzpatrick, published by Trafford Publishing
. She also wrote the foreword to the book.
On February 27, 2006, Calvello was featured in several episodes of the reality television
show Rollergirls
that was broadcast on the A&E Network
. In the episode, filmed in 2005, members of the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls
travelled to California
in search of Cavello, their hero. TXRD has named their championship the Calvello Cup in her honor. Calvello also appeared in the season finale where the Rhinestone Cowgirls and the Holy Rollers battled for the championship.
Calvello last resided in San Bruno, California
with her cats. She never officially retired from roller derby, but had not competed since 2000, although in 2002 she returned to the track one final time to win a match race with Kenneth Loge III on the finale of RollerJam. In early 2006, she was diagnosed with liver cancer
, and died at the age of 76 soon after.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete and notable personality in the sport of roller derby
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
.
Ann Calvello graduated from Presentation High School in San Francisco, CA in June 1947.
Calvello had competed in roller derby in seven decades: the 1940s through the 2000s. She broke into the sport in 1948 originally skating for a league called International Rollerspeedway. Calvello, who often sported dyed hair and wild makeup, was known for her temper along with her unconventional looks. She was nicknamed "Banana-Nose" by fans. She travelled the world skating in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and of course all over the United States. She broke her nose 12 times during her career. Her most famous rival on the track was the late Joan Weston
Joan Weston
Joan Weston or Joanie Weston , known as the "Blonde Bomber", "Blonde Amazon", "Golden Girl", and "Roller Derby Queen", was a U.S...
.
Ann gave birth to a daughter, Teri Ann Langley-Conte, on August 11, 1953.
In 2001, Demon Of The Derby, a biographical documentary film about Calvello, was completed by Fireproof Productions. It has been released on DVD, and is occasionally screened at fundraisers organized by roller derby leagues.
In 2005, Calvello contributed many rare photos and clippings from her personal collection to the book Roller Derby Classics…and more! by Jim Fitzpatrick, published by Trafford Publishing
Trafford Publishing
Trafford Publishing is a publisher using print on demand technology, formerly based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and now based in Bloomington, Indiana, USA.-History:...
. She also wrote the foreword to the book.
On February 27, 2006, Calvello was featured in several episodes of the reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
show Rollergirls
Rollergirls
Rollergirls is a 2006 A&E Network reality show examining the personalities, antics and motivations of the women involved with the Austin, Texas Lonestar Rollergirls roller derby league. According to their website, the league was founded in 2001 and is run as a "skater-owned and operated" company...
that was broadcast on the A&E Network
A&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
. In the episode, filmed in 2005, members of the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls
TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls
TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls is an Austin, Texas based all-girl banked-track roller derby league. Founded in 2001, TXRD is one of several leagues considered responsible for the modern roller derby revival. It is skater owned and operated...
travelled to California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in search of Cavello, their hero. TXRD has named their championship the Calvello Cup in her honor. Calvello also appeared in the season finale where the Rhinestone Cowgirls and the Holy Rollers battled for the championship.
Calvello last resided in San Bruno, California
San Bruno, California
San Bruno is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States. The population was 41,114 at the 2010 census.The city is adjacent to San Francisco International Airport and Golden Gate National Cemetery.-Geography:San Bruno is located at...
with her cats. She never officially retired from roller derby, but had not competed since 2000, although in 2002 she returned to the track one final time to win a match race with Kenneth Loge III on the finale of RollerJam. In early 2006, she was diagnosed with liver cancer
Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of liver cancer. Most cases of HCC are secondary to either a viral hepatitide infection or cirrhosis .Compared to other cancers, HCC is quite a rare tumor in the United States...
, and died at the age of 76 soon after.
External links
- Demon Of The Derby: The Ann Calvello Story—promotional site for the film
- The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame—site with an Ann Calvello in memoriam
- Roller Derby Classics…and more! (Archived 2009-10-25)—promotional site for the book by Jim Fitzpatrick (with foreword by Ann Calvello)
- Ann Calvello interview from 2005
- The Great Ann Calvello Remembered