“You’ve Got Health Insurance, Right?”
An executive assistant for an insurance company, BRRG skater Lindsay Chapman (aka Coco Sparx) shares a similar story to Harnett about her co-workers. “The people who do know I skate… they think it’s hilarious,” she laughs. “I get asked about it a lot.” Chapman “caught derby fever” after she received a message through her MySpace page looking for roller derby competitors.
“I got a random message saying, ‘We’re looking for women who are over 21 and have health insurance’,” says Chapman. “I did, and I’ve been in love with derby ever since.”
Chapman has played team sports since she was in kindergarten, but suggests she struggled to find a sport “where women are competitive at really high levels. There aren’t really that many options: it’s either professional or recreational sport.”
The camaraderie and friendship Chapman found in fellow skaters came as a bit of a surprise. “The friendships that I’ve built through Burning River Roller Girls… these women are amazing,” she says.” I’ve met a lot of really incredible people who I might not have met otherwise. When I got married, two of my bridesmaids were skaters from the league.”
She also dispels the notion that roller derby contact is always as brutal and painful as it appears, suggesting that curious onlookers should try it. “I’ve played contact sports and never really got hurt. It’s rough and tough, but not at all that different,” Chapman says. “Roller derby builds up your core strengths, including abs, which are essential for balance in this sport, like nothing else.”
Pay to Play
Like the balance needed for roller derby, an equally level-headed approach to its economics is required. There’s no “league minimum” contract, no players’ association, no contract negotiations or agents involved in the BRRG version of arena sports. Aside from a brawny time commitment, these skatin’ ladies all fork out the dough to cross-check each other in a bout, too.
“All of us are so passionate about this sport, we actually pay to play,” veteran skater and BRRG PR/advertising director Kelli Pilch-Habel (aka Death Proof) offers, adding that most leagues operate in this manner. “This is a skater-owned, skater-operated league, which counts on ticket sales to help it continue. We pay for practice facilities, bout facilities, advertising… it all takes up a lot of time, but the dedication that all these women show is absolutely remarkable,” she adds.
“So, you get what you give in return.”
“Hello, Cleveland!”
OK, so the flashpots were a bit of a joke. However, packing arenas like Journey used to is anything but funny. “We love the fact that we’re at the Wolstein Center this year,” says Pilch-Habel. “In order for our league to grow, we needed a place that would accommodate more fans.
“It’s really wonderful and we’re fortunate. Roller derby is still considered entertainment more than sport because of the memories of old style roller derby. But a venue like this… it lends us credibility. We have the opportunity to show people that roller derby is much different than its perceived.”
The seeds of the move from local recreation centers to the Wolstein were planted through a “mutual admiration society connection,” says Pilch-Habel. “Some reps at the Wolstein happened to be at one of our last bouts, and they were very into what we were doing.”
The dialogue took off from there. After setting up a November 2009 benefit bout at Wolstein—the “Black & Blue 4: Whip it Good!” exhibition benefitted Toys for Tots and Coats for Kids)—negotiations turned to the Wolstein Center hosting a whole season.
“They were very accommodating to our needs,” says Pilch-Habel. “This is our new home and it really feels like it, too. Our fans will be really happy about seating, concessions… and the legitimacy of [moving] into larger venue is invaluable. This will be the first experience for a lot of people who attend our bouts, and we’re really excited at what we can offer to them here.”
