Reminiscing the Roller Rinks

A significant portion of my high school and college years was spent roller skating. In the fall of 1979, I began frequenting a roller rink called Skateland in Fargo, North Dakota. The “roller disco” craze had attracted large crowds of people to the sport. I was captivated by disco music, particularly the Patrick Hernandez song “Born to Be Alive.” However, I couldn't get into a discothèque as a 15-year-old. I figured that Skateland would be the next best way for me to experience “Saturday Night Fever.”

At first, I could barely stand up on skates. Gradually my rollerskating skills improved as I learned how to go backward, do splits, and other tricks. That helped increase my confidence in asking girls to skate with me during “couples only.” Soon, I noticed that the Skateland employees were like celebrities to the regular skaters. Knowing that working there would bring me popularity that I never received at school, I eagerly pursued employment at the roller rink. 

After months of pestering the managers, I was finally offered a job. My duties as a “skate boy” involved distributing and putting away rental skates, repairing skates owned by customers, and cleaning up messes made by them. (Eventually, I was promoted to “floor guard,” where I got to program the music.) With the current hit songs playing in the background and more people knowing me on a first-name basis, I had a blast working there. I quickly compiled a list of girlfriends to call.

Despite the fun and popularity I experienced at Skateland, I still sensed something missing in my life. There was an emptiness only God could fill. One of my girlfriends was part of a Christian organization called Young Life. She invited me to meet her at one of their meetings. For a few months, I went to many of those and later a bible study our Young Life leader hosted in his home. Although I had asked Jesus into my heart during that time, I didn’t go on with the things of God. This is an example of why I don’t believe in “once saved, always saved.”

Every month, Skateland hosted a “Christian Skate Night.” The contemporary Christian music played there sounded dull and outdated compared to the secular music I adored. I thought to myself; if I have to be a good little Christian by listening to this wimpy stuff all day long, then forget it! By the fall of 1981, I stopped attending Young Life meetings and became increasingly interested in pursuing a career in the music industry.

The success of Prince inspired me to move to Minneapolis in 1985. During my first year there, I deejayed at three more roller rinks. Although I enjoyed playing records for the kids, I didn’t like the small paychecks and the hassles some of the managers gave me. At the last roller rink I worked at, I was let go after three weeks because I was considered “overqualified” and (at 22) “too old.” So, I focused on doing DJ work in nightclubs, but I didn’t completely abandon roller skating. I still made occasional visits to roller rinks. I also spent seasons living near Lake Calhoun (now known as Bde Maka Ska), and skated around that lake plus other nearby lakes. 

Years ago, during my elementary school days, our music teacher taught us a song that included these lyrics: 

Oh, you can’t get to heaven on roller skates

You’d roll right by those pearly gates

Fortunately, I’ve embraced the only way to heaven (John 14:6). However, there might not be roller skating there. In an episode of the old sitcom “Happy Days”, Fonzie stated, “If the Man Upstairs meant for us to skate, we would have been born with little wheels on our feet.” Then again, God wants to enjoy what makes us happy as long as He is first place in our lives. I would have fun rolling around on streets of gold.

“Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” - Psalm 37:4