1. So…how does it feel to be MDRV?s skater of the month?
Pretty awesome. We all dedicate a lot of our time and energy to keep this derby train rolling. Even though we’re a team it’s nice to be recognized as an individual every now and again!
2. Who would you like to dedicate this award to?
To Seanbee Delicious: announcer of all things derby, my derby widow, leg wrastler’ extraordinaire, and the bearer of the brunt of my stress. Thanks for putting up with my McEvil-ness!
3. When did your derby addiction start? Errrr…when did you start playing derby?
I’ve been playing for 3 years and have successfully survived the many incarnations of MDRV. We have really come into our own this year and we keep making progress on and off of the track.
4. What positions do you play? What else do you do in the league?
I play pivot, blocker, and occasionally jammer. My recent ankle injury prevented me from playing for a few months but as soon as I had my full medical release I dove back in head first to make up for lost time. Off of the track I am the league’s Finance Director and assist with coaching and co-captain duties. Having been with MDRV for so long though… I’ve done just about everything!
5. What advice do you have for anyone who is interested in playing derby?
Practice, patience, and condition! Derby will only take you as far as your body will allow. Knee injuries are unfortunately very common due to the nature of our sport. As much as fresh meat want to come in and start kicking butt on their first night they have to learn the Derby 101 of falling and general skating skills before they can jump into contact. Putting the cart before the horse can land you in ER really quickly and healing time can discourage injured skaters to the point of not coming back. Go to open skate sessions, get advice from your derby sisters, and make sure you drop the extra money on some good protective gear – especially kneepads. I guarantee it will be cheaper than surgery!
6. Do you admire or have any favorite derby players? If so, who?
I love Mibbs Breakin’ Ribs (of Charm City Roller Girls fame). She is such a well-rounded skater. She plays smart, strong, hard, and she’s intimidating as hell. After going to 2009′s WFTDA Nationals and 2010 East Coast Derby Extravaganza I’d also like to include the ENTIRE freakin’ team of Montreal’s New Skids on the Block. Holy crap! Now THAT is a team.
7. What has been your favorite derby experience so far?
I think “favorite” implies “best” or “most exciting” but my most recent favorite experience was not necessarily exciting or fun; it was more memorable than anything. In June 2010 MDRV experienced the sudden loss of one of our refs – Benny Zanneti. Ben was friends with many different people on the league and his death shook all of us to our core. It was very difficult to come to terms with Ben’s death and I think many of us are still working on the reality of it all. MDRV pulled together immediately and began offering support not only to one another but also to Ben’s family (whom we had yet to meet). We canceled our Sunday practice and went to Hard Times Cafe to celebrate Ben’s life instead. Ben’s family showed up and offered us so much love and appreciation – it was unbelievable. Throughout his memorial services that following week we were included in all of their family functions. Their acceptance of these previously unknown roller girls clutching their tissues and holding onto one another warmed my heart; I’d like to think we warmed theirs as well. I don’t know what we all would have done without one another during that time but it’s moments like that which make me proud to be a Vixen.
8. What do you think is the most common misconception about today’s roller derby?
Stop saying “It’s girls in their underwear beating each other up… and there’s beer!”. I think there are some people that feel that way because that is how roller derby is presented to them. That mindset negates the validity of what we do as being a sport. It prevents people from seeing us as athletes. We are a group of athletes who pay to not only play roller derby but we also function in other capacities to run the league business so that we can continue to play and put on bouts for the public. MDRV is also active in giving back (what little we have!) to the community. We have worked with and have sponsored several human service agencies from Hagerstown and Frederick, MD to provide them with much needed resources so that they can continue to provide services to their clients. And we didn’t do it in our underwear. So there!
9. Where do you see your league in a year?
I see MDRV becoming a more competitive league with a tighter core of skaters. We have been fortunate to see an influx of motivated new skaters in 2010. We are working very hard to provide them with all of the tools to become Vixens and are considering establishing a B-Team so that everyone has ample opportunity for bouting experiences. This past year we also became a WFTDA Apprentice league so by the end of the year I anticipate we will be full WFTDA members. I can’t wait to sew that patch onto my uniform!
10. In your opinion, what?s the most stressful thing about being on a derby league?
It really is an unpaid full-time job with lots of overtime. The skaters on the league are integral in everything that we do. We’re a democratic league with voting, committees, chairs, and volunteers. Delegation is so important to prevent burn-out. If nothing else you know your sisters are going through the same thing: late night texts, long e-mail chains to determine even the smallest details, last minute practice changes, etc. It can be taxing but we do it for the love of derby! Luckily what we do is full contact and it helps with the stress.
