# Gerry Murray > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gerry_Murray > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Gerry_Murray.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Murray > Source revision: 1163556715 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) **Gerry Murray** (September 30, 1920 – August 9, 2019) was an American [roller derby](/source/Roller_derby) skater. She played for most of her career with the New York Chiefs, becoming a popular derby star known for her glamour as well as her on-track rivalry with [Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn](/source/Toughie_Brasuhn). Murray was one of the first American sportswomen to sign an endorsement deal and was inducted to the [Roller Derby Hall of Fame](/source/Roller_Derby_Hall_of_Fame) in 1956. ## Early life Geraldine Murray was born in [Des Moines, Iowa](/source/Des_Moines,_Iowa), on September 30, 1920.[1] Her parents were Raymond and Leila (Zika) Murray, but she was raised primarily by her grandmother, Grace Jones, after her parents' divorce when she was six years old.[1][2] Murray played softball as a young child and was recruited for the Russell Sporting Goods team, which won a state championship.[3] She graduated from [North High School](/source/North_High_School_(Des_Moines,_Iowa)) in 1938.[2] ## Skating career In 1938, Murray tried out for the newly formed Roller Derby and was selected as a trainee, joining a team in Texas.[1] Along with stars like [Billy Bogash](/source/Bill_Bogash) and Midge "Toughie" Brasuhn, Murray became a well-known personality.[4][5] Billy Bogash said of Murray, "That Gerry is the best skater in the business".[6] Murray was one of the first American women to sign endorsement deals, with branded hair ties and bobby pins sold at department stores.[7] She was one of the first people to become a part of the Roller Derby Hall of Fame; she was inducted in 1956.[8] Murray became Chicago's team captain in 1947.[6] Murray was the women's captain of the New York Chiefs for many years, skating with the jersey number 22.[3] She also ran the Chiefs' training school.[9] Murray was famed for her scuffles with other skaters, especially "Toughie" Brasuhn, although the two were friends off the track.[1] The rivalry between Murray and Brasuhn was highly promoted in the 1940s and 1950s, and they were both well-compensated as stars.[10] A 2014 children's picture book, "Roller Derby Rivals" by Sue Macy, tells the story of the close relationship of Murray and Brasuhn.[11] She retired from skating in 1960, going on to own two bars and a cattle and horse ranch in California.[1] She returned to the track in 1975, however, skating with her son and daughter-in-law on the New York Braves of the United Banked Track Skating Association.[1] After that league collapsed, she joined the reconstituted New York Chiefs in the International Roller Skating League in 1977.[1] Murray died in Des Moines on August 9, 2019, at the age of 98.[1] ## Personal life Murray married two fellow roller derby skaters. The first was Paul Milane; in 1941 they had a son, Mike.[1] After their divorce, Murray married her coach and teammate Gene Gammon, who adopted Mike.[1] Mike Gammon grew up on the roller derby circuit and followed in his parents footsteps to become a derby star in his own right.[1] ## References 1. Sandomir, Richard (August 15, 2019). ["Gerry Murray, Stalwart Roller Derby Star, Dies at 98"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/15/sports/gerry-murray-dead.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. ["Gerry Murray oral history with Michella M. Marino, September 14, 2011"](https://credo.library.umass.edu/view/full/mums812-s02-i016). *Robert S. Cox Special Collections & University Archives Research Center*. University of Massachusetts Amherst Libraries. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. ["Obituary: Gerry Murray"](https://www.desmoinesregister.com/obituaries/dmr095368). *The Des Moines Register*. August 12, 2019. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. Harlan, Jennifer (July 26, 2019). ["The Long and Surprising History of Roller Derby"](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/26/sports/roller-derby-history-photos.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. Summers, Robert J. (March 30, 1996). ["Wrestling to Roller Derby, Aud Had It All"](https://buffalonews.com/news/wrestling-to-roller-derby-aud-had-it-all/article_b62fc9da-bb67-5012-8804-9611e186d346.html). *Buffalo News*. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. ["Vintage: Roller derby"](https://www.chicagotribune.com/visuals/vintage/chi-vintage-roller-derby-photos-20141105-photogallery.html). *Chicago Tribune*. December 11, 2014. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. Young, Dennis (August 12, 2019). ["'50s roller derby star Gerry Murray dies at 98"](https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/ny-gerry-murray-roller-derby-obit-20190812-jbjexz6fmzgtjdis7b2kjecqdu-story.html). *New York Daily News*. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. ["Events & Inductees"](http://www.rollerderbyhalloffame.com/id5.html). *Roller Derby Hall of Fame*. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. Gerston, Jill (November 25, 1973). ["She Finds Roller Derby And Marriage Do Mix"](https://www.nytimes.com/1973/11/25/archives/she-finds-roller-derby-and-marriage-do-mix-went-along-for-ride.html). *The New York Times*. Retrieved April 21, 2022. 1. Marino, Michella M. (2021). *Roller derby : the history of an American sport*. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 56. ISBN 9781477323823. 1. Bird, Betsy. ["Review of the Day: Roller Derby Rivals by Sue Macy"](https://afuse8production.slj.com/2014/06/07/review-of-the-day-roller-derby-rivals-by-sue-macy/). *School Library Journal*. Retrieved April 23, 2022. ## External links - [Murray & Behrens Roller derby matchrace](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUzbTdZ2sP0) 3-minute video of a 1950s match race - [Gerry Murray oral history with Michella M. Marino, September 14, 2011](https://credo.library.umass.edu/view/full/mums812-s02-i016) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Gerry Murray](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Murray) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerry_Murray?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.