Incredible Influence

By TXRD Newsroom March 19, 2013

As our championship bout approaches, and our ladies shift their eye to the ultimate TXRD prize, the Cavello Cup, now is a prime opportunity to reflect on such an enormous influence on our sport – Ms “Demon of the Derby,” herself, Ann Cavello.

 

She was tough as nails, muscle-bound, and covered herself in leopard-print and gold. Yet, those that knew her best describe her as “sweet as a pussycat” and “skittish as a stray.” Ann, who nicknamed her self “The Lioness” after her astrological sign, kept the fans thrilled with her antics and bad girl attitude. She would color her hair with Jello and use car paint on her nails, curse like a sailor, and pulverize anyone who got in her way.

 

She played villainess to Joan Weston, throwing down in legendary brawls. “She loved it when the fans hated her,” said Bay Bombers owner, Jerry Seltzer. Ann would scream like a banshee, toss out sassy quips, and was “punk rock before Sid Vicious could even buy smokes.”

 

Ms. Cavello joined roller derby in New York in 1948, competing professionally in the sport for the next 7 decades. The Lioness suffered 12 broken noses, 4 broken elbows, a broken collarbone, a broken tailbone, and blindness in one eye, but never once a broken spirit. She loved this sport and skated well into her 70’s, holding the crowd with her sharp wit and fantastic antagonism. Her goal was to hear “boo’s” from the crowd, which meant she was succeeding at the job she loved.

 

Our dream came true in 2005 when Ann herself attended our Calvello Cup Championship where Las Putas fought against the Rhinestones and lost. She loved every minute of it and got a standing “boo-vation” from the crowd as she sat upon a throne we built for her. The weekend we spent with her was magical and she had more energy than most of the 25-year-olds. We miss her every minute she’s not with us!

 

As derby girls everywhere suit up these days, you can still hear her call in the stillness of a locker room: “Tickets up! Stomachs in!” In loving memory of Ann “Demon of the Derby” Cavello. Rest in peace, our fearless Lioness.