Blackout Betty #B33R

 I’m Black Betty’s Child, the damn thing that’s gone WILD . . .

Member Since 2010

Current League President

Intra-League Bout Coordinator 2012

Bout Coordinator 2011

Derby Theme Song:

 Black Betty by Ram Jam

 

1. Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it?

You’ll have to catch me at an afterparty to learn how I came up with my name! My number [B33R] came from my love of all things Beer!

2. Off the track, what kind of work do you do?  

I work for Penn State as a Purchasing Assistant, but my degree is in Architecture and I’m hoping to one day get back to designing Stadiums and other Sports Facilities for a living.

3. Do you have any other hobbies besides roller derby?

I love to travel. I play rugby whenever I can. I also go tubing on the creeks of Central PA anytime I can, and I’ll brave extreme temperatures to go while the water is high!

4. What is your position while playing/participating, and how do *you* approach it?

I play pivot and blocker. As pivot, I love to employ strategies that make the opposing jammer frustrated, so it’s that much easier to keep them behind my team! I also use my LOUD voice a LOT. You might not always know what I’m saying, but you’ll definitely know who’s sayin’ it! I approach blocking simply: My ass is in front of your ass, and mine’s usually bigger, so good luck with that.

5. What drew you to roller derby?

I was looking for something to do for Rugby’s offseason. Derby seemed perfect . . . getting to hit people while going even faster than in Rugby since you’re on skates?! Sounds Awesome! And it is. I was only planning on doing it over the winter months when you can’t play rugby outside, but its been almost 2.5 years and I’m still here and I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon!

6. Tell us about the first time you participated in a bout.

I can’t even remember what bout was the first bout I played in. I organized and planned every bout we held in 2011 and 2012 and now pass the torch onto The Ovarian Fyst. I bench coached for the Dolls until I started playing with them in May 2012. I was a Pennsyltucky Punisher last year, but I’ve thrown out my plaid and denim and have my new uni ready for this season!

7. What do you think about SCAR’s upcoming schedule?  What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

I did our schedule for 2013 since I was the Inter-League Bout Coordinator last year. I worked really hard to get us set to play a variety of teams this year across the Mid-Atlantic region. I think this year is going to awesome! I’m particularly excited at the prospect of playing in Pittsburgh, playing against our closest adversaries out of Williamsport, and going back to ROC City to play again!

8. What SCAR achievements are you most proud of?

Completing my 25 laps in 5 minutes. It was a huge obstacle for me!

9. What is your athletic background?

I’ve played sports forever! I’ve been on sports teams since I was 6. I played in community leagues for soccer, baseball/softball, and basketball in grade school. I played Soccer, Basketball, and Softball for Penns Valley throughout junior/senior high school. I played Rugby for RPI in college. Now I split time between playing Rugby for the Thorns of Lancaster and Derby for SCAR! I’ll also play any pick-up game of anything; anytime and anywhere! I have a competitiveness issue . . .

10. What would you tell a person who is thinking about coming to a SCAR Bout/trying out to ref or skate for SCAR/volunteering with SCAR?

Do it! I highly recommend coming out and putting on skates and giving derby a go! It had been 15ish years since I had put on skates and I spent my first 2 practices with SCAR holding onto the wall. I’m definitely not SCARs most skilled skater, but I’ve come a long way and have met many, many, many fantastic people along the way! In one word derby is: Awesomesauce.

11. What equipment do you use? Skates? Wheels? Protective Gear? Must-Haves?

I have a 13-year-old pair of Adidas softball cleats mounted to a basic plate for my skates; they’re needing a replacement soon. I gotta have my wide Poison Wheels and something to protect the floor from my boots! Bout days I must have my glitter! I also have an awesome new Beer-Themed set of toe guards, courtesy of Hannah, that you’ll see debuting for the St. Valentine’s Massacre!

12. What’s your personal slogan?

Skate Smarter, Not Harder.

13. What do you like? What do you dislike?

LIKES: RUGBY, Beer, Time Traveling, My Trunk Bar, Stadiums, Roller Coasters, Beer Games, Chickens, Tubing, Afterparty Wins, Glitter, Loud Music you can sing to.

DISLIKES: Assessments, Sober Sallys, Negative Nancys, Rules that aren’t meant to be broken, Alarm Clocks, Death Bugs.

14. What’s your favorite quote(s)?

"My favorite gift I’ve ever received is a flask. I think giving someone a flask is a nice way of saying ‘Hey, you seem like a drunk on the go. You strike me as needing hard liquor at all times.'"

– Jim Gaffigan

“I hope that someday we will be able to put away our fears and prejudices and just laugh at people.”

– Jack Handey (really any quotes by Jack Handey)

Flower POW'her #EZ13

 

1. Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it?

Those who really know me understand my love of flowers and how I appreciate the beauty of nature.  Every flower has a power of it’s own and so do I!  That’s how “Flower POW’her” came to be.

2. Off the track, what kind of work do you do?

I’m a Certification Specialist with Pennsylvania Certified Organic.  I work with clients who are seeking organic certification for their processed food products through the USDA-National Organic Program so they can market and sell their products as “Organic”.  I also perform on-site facility audits for the Gluten Free Certification Organization.

3. Do you have any other hobbies besides roller derby?

I enjoy hiking, traveling, gardening, stargazing, eating local and organic foods, spending time with my children, and laughing with good friends.

4. What is your position while playing/participating, and how do *you* approach it?

Being a jammer is amazing and scary at the same time.  I really try and focus on everything happening on the track, which is not as easy as it sounds, especially when a blocker comes out of no-where and knocks you into the next universe (that’s the scary part!).

5. What drew you to roller derby?

Roller skating has been a part of my life from a young age.  My dad would take us kids skating every Sunday when I was growing up.  I learned to skate on a wooden rink floor to organ music!  Needless to say, I had not been on skates for about 20 years before attending a SCAR clinic, but as soon as I put those rental skates on…it all came back.  I could tell right away joining derby would be a great way to meet new people, become part of a philanthropic organization, and stay in great physical shape!

6. What’s one thing that you have learned from Derby that you are able to use in everyday life?

It’s OK if you don’t know EVERYTHING...and when you fall down, it’s best to get back up FAST and move FORWARD!!

7. What are your personal goals for the upcoming season?

Being so new to the game, just learning and understanding general strategies is a goal.

8. What’s the thing you love most about being a roller girl?

Volunteering in the community has always been a large part of my life here in Happy Valley and SCAR gives me a chance to expand on that.  It’s exciting to be a part of a very conscientious, charitable, professional organization where challenges are met and hard work pays off.

9. What is your athletic background?

In high school I played basketball, tennis, softball and participated in track field events.  In my early 30’s I enjoyed kick-boxing and in my late 30’s began playing on a volleyball team in a local adult league, which I sadly had to give up because the game times conflict with derby practice.  So…Derby is my 40’s sport!!

10. What was your most embarrassing SCAR moment?

Hahaha… I don’t think I’ve had any yet, but there are many opportunities for embarrassing moments in derby, however, I don’t embarrass very easily.

11. What would you tell a person who is thinking about coming to a SCAR Bout/trying out to ref or skate for SCAR/volunteering with SCAR?

I truly feel there is a place for everyone in SCAR derby.  It takes so many great people with vast areas of expertise to make bouts fun and the organization successful as a whole.

12. What equipment do you use? Skates? Wheels? Protective Gear? Must-Haves?

I use Riddell skates with envy hybrid slim wheels only because my derby hero (Mae B Nasty) has the same!  Protective gear is very important. I use a ProTec helmet to protect my noggin.  My pads are a combination of Killer 187’s and a pair of Skate Track kneepads my sister found for 25cents at a yard sale.  I would say thick skate laces and durable toe guards (thank you Hannah for my handmade felted flower guards!) are essentials.  I’ve shredded many laces while practicing falls.

13. What’s your personal slogan?

Work Hard and Play Harder

14. Who supports you in doing roller derby, and what would you say to them?

My daughters (Jewels & Lia), son (Gabe) and Dad are definitely my biggest fans.  I hope by playing derby my kids will learn it’s never too late to learn something new and find a passion.  My Dad just prays I don’t get hurt!  Thanks Dad, for teaching me how to skate!  XOXO

15. What do you find most challenging about your position?

Being able to make the best split-second decisions on the track.  I know it may take a long time and many different situations to get a handle on this but that’s something I hope to improve.

Claire Violent #6¢

SCAR since 2012

                                               

Special Role(s): Marketing, Creative

Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it?

This is a pretty funny story. I struggled for EVER to come up with a derby name. I had friends trying to come up with things but never found something that quite fit. I had a great one - but it was already taken. So, I tried to come up with things that I was interested in - so I turned to Doctor Who, old 80's and 90's shows/music and just couldn't settle. I finally figured out my number first - 0.06 - or six cents = sixth sense. I've always been really into the paranormal and have been able to sense things for quite a while now. Still struggling with a name, one night I was watching The Golden Girls, as I do pretty much every night, and Rose said something stupid. Dorothy responded with "No Rose, she’s Clairvoyant." and I just looked up and said oh my gosh, That's It!!! and Claire Violent was born.

What drew you to roller derby?

I went to a skating party in October of 2010. My friend wanted us to all dress up in 80's clothes, and I take that VERY seriously. I looked ridiculous. Someone approached me and told me about derby and asked if I'd think about joining. My best friend at the time told me I should do it, but I've always been really shy, and totally non-confrontational. Over the next couple years my friend, Mellisa and I would occasionally remember that night and she would always said I should do it. In July of 2011 Mellisa passed away from cervical cancer. It was a devastating blow to lose such an amazing friend at such a young age. A few months later, I was looking though the pictures from the 80's party and remembered being asked about roller derby. I sat on it for a couple weeks but just kept thinking how she always pushed me. I looked at the website and as luck would have it, try-outs were only 3 weeks away. I couldn't deny the timing and I said screw it and I went to the clinic. Life is too short not to try new things, you may just find a new passion, like I did.

What’s the thing you love most about being a roller girl?/ref/NSO?

It's impossible to choose just one thing! I love the camaraderie, the encouragement, the friendships, the exercises, the challenges and the learning process! Everything about Derby makes life better!!!

What is your athletic background?

Practically non-existent. I was a cheerleader in high school and did gymnastics as a kid. I never really got into sports. In fact, I'm still not really interested in sports. Thankfully derby isn't just a sport - it's a way of life! I've never been more glad to have tried something new!

What would you tell a person who is thinking about coming to a SCAR Bout/trying out to ref or skate for SCAR/volunteering with SCAR? 

Just come!! It's so worth it! Come with an open mind and a humble attitude. People are going to be better than you, people are going to be worse. People will learn faster and some will learn slower. You will fall, you will feel like a complete idiot at times, you will screw up and you will be sore! But stick with it because along with all those things you will also feel empowered, brave, wanted, happy, accomplished, challenged, motivated, strong, and you will make 30+ new friends while always having a reason to love Mondays (after fresh meat, of course :-))

 

Kyssing Kaos #80

Zorra #2

1. Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it? 

Choosing my name, I wanted something that would incirporate some of the things I appriciate in life. My degree has a minor in Spanish, so I was looking for a name that could incorporate that, plus sounding fierce and independent. Playing around with a bunch of ideas, I eventually remembered Zorro, a Mexican Robin Hood television program I loved when I was little. The female version Zorra (the female fox) was especially fitting as my then team was the Vixens.

2. How long have you been playing?

Almost 3 years

3. What team(s) do you play on? And what do you do as a volunteer for SCAR?

I currently play on the Mount Nittany Mayhem. ((Up until this year, I played with the Susquehanna Valley Derby Vixens). Any bout I'm not skating, I'm volunteering doing something - penalty box timing, manning the door, stat tracking - whatever's needed. I also serve on SCAR's creative, coaching and junior derby committees.

4. Off the track, what kind of work do you do?  

When I'm not making derby my whole life, I'm a senior undergraduate student at the Pennsylvania State University, in Anthropology and Women's Studies. I also work at each a local natatorium and museum, and am writing an honors thesis on, you guessed it, roller derby.

5. What is your position and how do you approach it?

Though I'm happy to skate any position, I usually jam. (Sometimes it seems easier, having only one goal rather than playing offense and defense as the blockers do!) It may require a little fearlessness (or stupidity, depending how you look at it) to jam, but what it really requires for me is the motivation to get back up and keep going - usually my approach is "just keep going", but it's frequently interrupted by "yay, I got around that awesome blocker!!" or "wheeeeee!!!! I love getting whips from my teammates!"

6. What’s one thing that you have learned from Derby that you are able to use in everyday life?

What have I learned from derby - can I count the ways?

There's the physical and mental strength to play a rough game and to organize a league, there's the community of acceptance of everyone and trust, there's the motivation to be the best you can and to help your teammates do the same, there's the knowledge that no matter how hard and demanding, it's still fun.... I use all of these in my everyday life. Derby teaches us to be awesome, and know that we're awesome.

7. What would you tell a person who is thinking about coming to a SCAR Bout/trying out to ref or skate for SCAR/volunteering with SCAR?  

Please do it. You may again find such a sport that can change your life, bring you endless moments of hard-earned joy, and a community that backs your every step, but why take the risk? Roller derby's got you covered on all those fronts. And while nothing new is easy, just keep going once you start - we'll help you, and soon you'll be teaching others to fly too.

8. What equipment do you use? Skates? Wheels? Protective Gear? Must-Haves?

Helmet: S-One

Mouthguard: ProTech Dent (the expensive mouthguard is absolutely worth being able to forget you're wearing it)

Wrist guards: Atom Armor

Elbow pads: 187s Fly

Gaskets: TSG

Knee pads: Smith's Scabs

Skates: Antik AR1s in black / purple / pink / blue. Gumball toe stops. Rollerbones Turbo wheels (these are a-m-a-z-i-n-g).

Must-haves: Giant rolly bag to stuff everything in, and Derby Famous arm bands with number (or I'd never not have sharpie remains on me)

9. Who supports you in doing roller derby, and what would you say to them?

My derby wife is the model derby wife of support and awesomeness: ParaNorma of SVDV.

<3 you wifey, even when you're far away.

Bashin' LaSassin #S4SS

 SCAR since 2011

Special Role(s): Morale, Constitution

Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it?

My nickname is "LaLa" or just plain "La" which led to "LaSassin." The "Bash'n" is just a descriptor.

Off the track, what kind of work do you do?  Do you have any other hobbies besides roller derby? 

I'm a programmer, so I need derby to keep life interesting.

What drew you to roller derby?

I roller skated a lot as a kid, so I suspected I may like roller derby. I went to watch a bout and was hooked. I wanted in there so bad!

Tell us about the first time you participated in a bout.

I can't! I was so nervous that it was mostly a blur about which I remember very little. I do know that I acquired no penalties, which is indicative that I didn't do much of anything.

What’s one thing that you have learned from Derby that you are able to use in everyday life? 

I have learned the power of persistence. I have a few setbacks in getting to this point, but I've proved to myself that I can work through them if I keep at it.

What’s the thing you love most about being a roller girl?/ref/NSO?

I love the people I've met with through derby.

What was your most embarrassing SCAR moment?

I think I've been doing this long enough that I no longer have any shame.

What would you tell a person who is thinking about coming to a SCAR Bout/trying out to ref or skate for SCAR/volunteering with SCAR? 

DO IT! Derby is so much fun!

Any injury stories?

My only significant injury was a broken ankle. I wish I had a good story, but no such luck. When people asked how I did it, I just answered, "roller derby," and let their imaginations run wild. I would happy to make up a more interesting story for an opportunity to show off my scar.

Pinky Balboa #52

Derby Theme Song:
 Gonna Fly Now from Rocky

1. Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it? I love to wear pink and one day one of the girls (Dani) said that all she could see in her vision when I was coming around the corner was pink. I did not want too girly of a name. I also needed a name that I could actually tell my students; therefore it could not be vulgar. Rocky is my favorite sports movie of all times. So, not wanting to be just known as Pinky, I added Balboa to it because I like to hit and knock people down. So I thought Pinky Balboa summed up my dress style and my derby playing style. I have always been a bull in a china shop, even when I played basketball. I just think the name fits and I like it.

2. Off the track, what kind of work do you do?  I teach Health Education to juniors and seniors at one of the greatest school districts in the country, State College Area High School (North Building).  I love my job and I can’t imagine earning a living any other way.

3. Do you have any other hobbies besides roller derby? I love to workout with the fantastic trainers at One on One Fitness on Aaron drive. I also love to travel and ride my scooter. On a cold day you can find me in my kitchen making soups and any other yummy food that I can put in my freezer for later. A derby girl has to keep up with her good nutrition and fitness level if you are going to play this very demanding sport.

4. What is your position while playing/participating, and how do *you* approach it? I love to be a blocker. I just approach it with the mentality that with the help of my team, I don’t want a jammer scoring points on us. I love to use my size and strength to push or knock them out of bounds to give my team more time to wall up and stop that jammer from going past us. I just really try to harass the jammer as much as I physically can.

5. What drew you to roller derby? I have always had a fascination with it and people used to randomly say to me that I look like a derby girl. I always thought derby girls were such emotionally and physically tough women. I have always enjoyed being on roller skates, but had not skated in over 30 years. I wanted to do it to push my personal limits and for the great sisterhood that it brings. I don’t have any sisters, but now I feel like I have many. I did not even realize that we had a team until I met AK40 Steffy and she was on the team and she gave me all the info. I was hooked. I went to a practice to observe and ordered my skates immediately after that. I had no doubt that this was something I wanted to pursue.

6. Tell us about the first time you participated in a bout. The Valentine’s Day Massacre will be my first official bout, but our coach took us to Williamsport to have a scrimmage and I was a bundle of nerves. I just hit every jammer as many times as I could. I wanted to wear them out and make it more difficult for them. Towards the end of the bout, my coach handed me the jammer panty and said to go jam. I thought he was joking or had bumped his head. I was so rattled when I realized he was serious. I put the panty on sideways and was ready to jump out of my own skin. This whistle blew and I just plowed through and knocked over the blockers in front of me. I somehow made it to the inside line and got lead jammer status. I was able to squeak out 2 points before having to call off the jam because the other jammer was behind me. I laughed so hard. I always thought it would be so cool to call off a jam, but never thought I would jam, much less be the lead jammer. Chris Brace is either crazy or a derby genius for putting me on that jammer line.

7. What’s one thing that you have learned from Derby that you are able to use in everyday life? Be more aware of what is going on around you. It may help you avoid getting clobbered and knocked down in life. I have also learned that I can push myself past my comfort zone. When I first started derby, every practice put me in a panic and I just calmed myself down and handled every challenge that was given to me. I learned that it is ok to be afraid, but never ok to give up. I have really learned to work through the fear and gain some success from that process.

8. What do you think about SCAR’s upcoming schedule?  I love that our schedule is shaping up to be a very competitive season. There is a lot of fun derby to look forward to this season.

9. What are your personal goals for the upcoming season? I just want to become the best blocker that I can be and really improve my skating. However, my major goal includes continuing working as a good team member and make sure my actions not only serve me well, but also serve my team’s best interests as well. Also, every derby girl wants to avoid any serious injury.

10. What’s the thing you love most about being a roller girl? I love that it represents that I am a strong woman.  I think it also represents that I can be a great role model for my students. I want them to know that you can have fitness at any age and it is ok to be afraid as long as you follow your goals. Being a tall, muscular woman, I love that my body size is so valued in this sport. I teach my students the importance of loving the body that you have. I teach them to be around people and activities that celebrate their size. I have never been more proud of my body and the ability to be a great role model for my students. I also really love hitting other girls. It makes me more calm and settled in my job.

11. What is your athletic background? I ran track on the boys’ team in junior high because there was no girls’ team. I was a hurdler back in the day when the hurdles were just wood. I was all legs back then. If you hit the hurdle, it brought you down. I also played volleyball in junior high, but in 9^th grade, I was recruited to play basketball and that has been my great love until I quit playing ten years ago. However, nothing has captured my interest like derby. I have also coached high school sports for seven years so I appreciate all of the effort and time my coaches and teammates have given to me to help me improve. 

12. What was your most embarrassing SCAR moment? I was scrimmaging with my team when my coach told me to change my jersey and go to the other team. Flying Tomato lined up as the jammer and when the whistle blew, I began to hit and harass her as I try to do to every jammer that I am skating against. She yelled at me and I thought she had just had enough, but I hit her again. She again yelled at me and I paused for a moment and she got away. As I was chasing her down to hit her, I realized that we were on the same team. I was trying to squash my own jammer. Poor, Mater…

13. What’s your personal slogan? Life begins outside your comfort zone. The things that are the hardest are the most rewarding. These events strung together make up a rich and beautiful life.

14. Who supports you in doing roller derby, and what would you say to them? My derby wife and teammate, Socio PattE does. She keeps me focused and pumped up and I would like to tell her that derby would never have been the same without sharing it with someone as amazing as her. Dani and some of the other veterans also give me tips on derby and try to get me to calm down. However, the entire team is so supportive of everyone else and it would not be possible to play this intense sport without amazing teammates like mine. They cheer you on when you succeed and console you when you just don’t quite get the job done.

15. Any injury stories? Right before the drafting season, I fell and really hurt my wrist. I could not bend it at all and it was swollen. Everyone kept saying to go to the doctor’s. I was so afraid it would need a cast and more afraid of not getting drafted to a team. I wore my wrist guard non-stop for three days. After the third day, I took the brace off and the swelling was gone, but I still had no movement and it hurt so badly. Out of total fear, I pulled my own wrist with my opposite hand and it made an incredibly loud popping sound. Once I popped it, I could move it freely. I believe it was just dislocated and I re-set it myself. I must really love derby to do that.