Courthouse Docket

On Saturday, July 20 at 1 p.m., join us for the Annual Meeting and Courthouse Docket. The program will start with Association President Mitch Postel giving a report on the activities of the Historical Association. Then, Jim Fitzpatrick will present One of the Cow Palace’s Major Attractions…Professional Roller Derby and the Legendary San Francisco Bay Bombers.

Roller Derby, a sport “born” during the Great Depression, began making appearances at the newly opened Cow Palace during the 1940s. Eventually, the San Francisco Bay Bombers (formed in 1954) would grow to become the most famous and successful team in sport’s history. During the 1960s and early 1970s Roller Derby was followed by millions on TV, and sold out huge arenas across the country and internationally. Then in 1973, shortly after the Bombers won the championships at the Cow Palace, the original league shockingly shut down. Who or what caused that? And what transpired next to help revive the sprot and legendary team? Those and many other questions will be answered during the July 20 presentation.

Jim Fitzpatrick turned his childhood dream of becoming a professional roller derby skater, with the legendary World Champion San Francisco Bay Bombers, into reality. Unfortunately, injuries cut his dream short. To remain involved, he became a referee.  Eventually he mounted a successful “Rocky” -style comeback, competing for Team USA in the 1993 Roller Game World Cup held in Tokyo, Japan. He then went on to a career as a firefighter, but later suffered career-ending injuries. After going through several years of physical therapy, he became more mobile. Amazingly, he then helped revive professional roller derby and became the coach and General Manager of the San Francisco Bay Bombers.

Jim is also an author, award -winning artist, and photographer. He is married and has two grown children. He hopes to inspire others suffering from chronic pain or other obstacles in their lives to “fight on.”