Ann Calvello

Ann Theresa Calvello (August 1, 1929 – March 14, 2006) 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 Roller Speedway. 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 traveled 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. Following her initial retirement, in 1968, she was inducted into the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.[1]

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 traveled 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.

Sporting positions
Preceded by
Bobbie Mateer		 International Roller Derby League Female MVP[2]
1963 		Succeeded by
Carol Meyer

References

  1. ↑ "Events & Inductees", Roller Derby Hall of Fame
  2. ↑ Keith Coppage, Roller Derby to RollerJam, p.123
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