It’s 7:30 p.m. on a Tuesday, and the traffic passing through the doors at Lansing’s
Westside YMCA is starting to display a decidedly different flavor.
Mixed in with the athletic-shorts-and-running-shoes crowd are a growing number of determined-looking women toting roller skates, kneepads, helmets and fishnet stockings on their way to roller derby practice.
Since the beginning of 2010, a quiet groundswell of interest has spurred the growth of two new Lansing-based women’s roller derby leagues. The
Lansing Derby Vixens lay claim to being the city’s first official
WFTDA (Women’s Flat Track Derby Association) apprentice team, and practice three nights a week at the
Westside YMCA. Across town in East Lansing, the
Mitten Mavens are at home at
Michigan State University’s Demonstration Hall.
Rink Rash is SexyWatching roller derby may be a little confusing to the first time observer, but it can essentially be broken down to a race, with a few twists. Two teams race around a track and try to help their team’s “jammer” — one of their best skaters — pass members of the opposing team, while doing their best to keep the other team’s jammer from passing their own skaters. Jammers can use sheer speed, agility, or brute force to muscle their way through. Teams earn points each time their jammer laps a skater from the opposing team.
Layered on top of the relatively simple rule structure, however, is a thick coating of showmanship, bravado, and hooliganism that would make a professional wrestler blush.
The skaters choose names that mix horror-movie themes with G-rated cutesiness. Uniforms blend no-nonsense protection like helmets and wrist-guards with frilly skirts, neon colored fishnet stockings, lacy gloves and tattoos. Participation requires a tongue-in-cheek attitude, but on the track, these ladies don’t mess around.
“We’re very aggressive,” says Lolo Botomizer, born Laurie Robison, founder and league president of the Lansing Derby Vixens. “We hit pretty hard. We laugh and we fall. Sometimes we cuss. But it’s a great way to get rid of pent-up frustration, get out and release that energy in a positive way.” The Vixens claim 41 dues-paying members, with another 25 “fresh meat” Vixens in training.
The Mitten Mavens put their number of participants at “around 50,” says Hymen Executioner, aka Micalee Sullivan. “But at almost every practice there are new people.”
The leagues welcome all comers. Athletes range from 18 years of age (WFTDA minimum age) up to 50, and have incredibly diverse backgrounds, from white collar to blue collar, including mothers, nurses, adult entertainers, marketing directors and PhD candidates. There are also non-skating team members in support roles, making participation open to truly anyone.
“We want everyone’s input, “says Mitten Maven Crysta “Heart of Cold” Heart. “Everyone has to be a part of it.”
Both leagues hold regular “Derby 101” sessions to introduce first timers to the sport. No experience is required — some team members were literally on skates for the first time this spring — and equipment is provided for interested parties that want to try it out.
If a would-be skater gets serious there is an investment in equipment required. Skates are an obvious must-have, and WFTDA requires old-school, “quad” roller skates, not in-line type rollerblades. Skaters must also own a helmet, mouth guard, wrist guards, and elbow and knee pads. And they need them.
“The WFTDA provides very strict rules,” says Lolo Botomizer, “like no elbows, and a legal hitting zone.” But the sport does carry inherent risks. Skating injuries are taken in stride, and are proudly referred to with the endearing term “rink rash.”
“We had two tailbone injuries recently,” continues Botomizer, “and the day they came back out they both fell and hurt themselves again!” Tailbone fractures are the most common injury, but the Vixens have also suffered broken thumbs and pulled ligaments. And they haven’t even had an official bout yet.
Cross-Town Rivalry“Michigan is one of the biggest states for roller derby,” says Hymen Executioner. Detroit and Grand Rapids are the only Michigan leagues that currently have full WFTDA membership, but leagues are developing in Flint, Port Huron, Jackson, Traverse City, Muskegon and other cities.
Having two leagues in the same city, especially one the size of Lansing, is rare and would seem to promote a powder keg dynamic. When asked about another league in their city, the skaters choose their words carefully. While a fat dose of cross-town trash talk is likely only as far away as the scheduling of a first inter-league scrimmage, this doesn’t mean that the leagues won’t be sharing beers together after the skates are off.
And when it comes to community involvement, both leagues put their money where their mouth is.
“When we buy t-shirts or gear, or need an attorney to help with our paperwork, we look at local businesses,” says Lolo Botomizer, of the Derby Vixens. “Our focus is on sustaining the organization for the future. And we don’t allow our people to drink or smoke in uniform because we see ourselves as role models in the community.”
The Mitten Mavens put an emphasis on community involvement, and have so far donated time to a river cleanup, assisted at the
Potter Park Rhino Romp, and helped out
Ele’s Place and the
Lansing Gay Pride Parade.
“Working with the community is a huge thing for us,” says Hymen Executioner. “It’s about a lot more than just skating.”
Getting InvolvedWhile both Lansing leagues are still in something of an incubation mode, the coming months bring some important first steps.
July had both leagues in their first scrimmages. The Derby Vixens met Jackson’s Jacktown Rollers on July 11, and the Mitten Mavens faced Hasting’s Barry County Black Heart Maidens on July 20. The Mavens have an official bout scheduled with the Maidens in October, and are looking to schedule more. The Derby Vixens are expecting bouts to begin in early 2011.
For those daring enough to participate, both leagues actively recruit online and at local events for skaters and for non-skating support persons. More information can be found at
lansingderbyvixens.com,
mittenmavens.net, and on each league’s Facebook page.
Just remember to wear your mouthguard, and forget how to say “I’m sorry.”
“Our girls are not used to that yet,” says Lolo Botomizer. “We’ll trip each other and hit each other and say, ‘oh, sorry.’ I have to remind them, ‘Don’t tell them you’re sorry! This is what it’s all about!’”
Jeff Shoup is a Lansing area freelance writer and musician. And now he’s gonna have a hard time keeping his wife out of the skating rink.
Dave Trumpie is the managing photographer for Capital Gains. He is a freelance photographer and owner of Trumpie Photography.
Photos:
Mitten Mavens at MSU's Demonstration Hall
#<1 Kacey Morey, aka Mary Pop'ems
Jesse Knott (lft) and Jen Slabaug of the Derby Vixens at practice
Mitten Mavens line up for a practice race
Derby fashion from the Vixens
All Photographs © Dave Trumpie