Joan Weston facts for kids
Joan Weston (born January 20, 1935 – died May 10, 1997) was a super famous American athlete. She was often called the "Blonde Bomber" or the "Roller Derby Queen." Joan was the most well-known person in the original Roller Derby sport. She was known for her amazing skills and exciting performances on the track.
About Joan's Life
Joan Weston was born in Huntington Beach, California, in 1935. She grew up nearby in Downey, California.
In 1954, Joan joined the original Roller Derby league. This league was started by a promoter named Leo Seltzer. She quickly became a favorite player for the Los Angeles Braves team. Her fame grew even more in 1965 when she became the captain of the San Francisco Bay Bombers.
Joan was an incredible athlete. She was chosen for 19 all-star teams in a row! This means she was one of the best players for many years. In the 1960s and 1970s, she was the highest-paid female athlete. This shows how popular and talented she was.
Joan was often seen as the hero of the sport. No matter which team she played for, fans loved her. She is still remembered as one of the most beloved Roller Derby stars ever. She had some famous rivals on the track, like Ann Calvello, Cathie Read, and Sandy Dunn. These rivalries made the games even more exciting!
The 1972 movie Kansas City Bomber, starring Raquel Welch, was said to be inspired by Joan Weston's exciting career. She also helped many new Roller Derby skaters. She was known for taking young players "under her wing" and teaching them the ropes.
More Than Just Roller Derby
Roller Derby was not the only sport Joan Weston enjoyed. When she was a student at Mount St. Mary's College, she played softball. She also loved surfing and canoeing. In 1962, she even won a championship in Hawaii for outrigger canoeing. This shows she was a talented athlete in many different areas.
Joan later married Nick Scopas, who was also a professional Roller Derby skater. After her amazing Roller Derby career, she continued to play softball regularly in leagues around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Joan Weston passed away in 1997 at the age of 62 in Hayward, California. In 1999, her life story was sold to Goldie Hawn Productions, a movie company.
Even though Roller Derby stopped operating in 1973, Joan's legacy lived on. She was so famous that many felt she should be in a Hall of Fame. In 2004, a group of skaters and fans created the Roller Derby Hall of Fame in Brooklyn, New York. They made sure to correct this and officially inducted Joan Weston.
