Hosted By:
Richmond Derby Demons and Rollerdome

When:
Saturday, May 16, 2009

Where:
ROLLERDOME
4902 Williamsburg Rd
Richmond, VA

Description:
Co-ed roller derby at it's FINEST!

Click Here To View Event

http://www.ccrollerexpo.com

Friday, May 8th:

Workshop Agenda (All at Wildwood Harley-Davidson):
9:30 AM-11 AM: Bootcamp
LUNCH BREAK 11-1
1 PM: Beginner 101 (Parking Lot A)
1 PM: Advanced Jamming (Parking Lot B)
2 PM: Advanced Blocking (Parking Lot B)
3 PM: Advanced Assisting (Parking Lot B)
4 PM: Skate Maintenance (Parking Lot A)
4 PM: Reffing Symposium (Alton Motel)
5-6PM: Game Play & Strategy (Alton Motel)

After Hours
6:30-8:30PM Free Cocktail Mixer and Reception at the Wharf
9PM-12PM Derby Movie, Drinks, Party and Pizza on the Alton Motel
Roof Top Sun Deck

Saturday, May 9th
***Saturday's event will be televised on the Food Network for
a very special show with a celebrity chef!***
- Event WILL be SOLD OUT!!
- Vendor Mall All-Day

10AM-11AM Derby Parade (in front of Convention Center)
11AM - Skaters for Rookie Game report to West Hall of Convention
Center for warmups, stretching, and prep.
12PM - Doors open to public -- Filming begins.
12:30PM-2PM - Rookie Female Game
2:30-4PM - Intermediate Female Game
4:30-6PM-Intermediate Female Game
6:30-9PM All-Star Old School-Style Game
(Rotating periods of men and women)
After Hours 9:30-12PM After Party: Pool Party & BBQ -
featuring live music -- Alton Motel.
Sunday, May 10th 10AM-12PM Outdoor Open Scrimmages -
free to public at Wildwood Harley-Davidson

Depart
 

Frequently Asked Questions:


Q. Why should I come to this event?
A. It is a great opportunity to showcase your team, learn new skills and meet leagues from all over the country, while enjoying a weekend at one of New Jersey's most attractive and exciting vacation destinations.

- The event will take place in Wildwood, New Jersey at a state-of-the-art facility overlooking the ocean.

- Atlantic City is only 1 hour away.

- Convenient location for teams all over the East Coast.

- Open to any skater, male or female, from any rule-set or skill level.

Q. Will WFTDA teams have to play OSDA teams or other rule-sets?
A. No. Tournaments will be divided into different rule-sets. If you are curious to try something new, you may sign up to play in the Open Tournaments on Sunday with various mixed teams.

Q. What type of surface will we be skating on?
A. Tournament play will be on a polished concrete surface. Please outfit your skates accordingly. It is fast and fun. Outdoor events will be held on a number of different surfaces, but will be planned according to the drills that will be done during workshops.

Q. Where do we stay?
A. The CCRE has two official motels that are offering group rates. The Alton Motel at 235 E. Wildwood Ave (609) 729-8600 ($50/room - up to 4 people). Space is limited at this location so reserve early.

If you miss the group rates -- don't despair. There are an unlimited amount of hotels and motels in Wildwood. The convention center also offers overnighthousing. Let us know if you need any help.
  
Q. Are there airports near by?
A. Atlantic City and Philadelphia airports are commutable. There are also trains available. We will post more travel ideas and helpful tips soon. We will also have volunteers to help arrange carpooling!

Q. Who will be leading workshops?
A. Everyone from Roller Derby Hall of Fame skaters to today’s current greats from various associations.

Q. Do I have to come with a team, or may I come alone? 
A. Individual skaters are welcome. There will be a discount for teams of 10 players or more attending together. 

Q. Can we sub players from other teams if our team is short?
A. Skaters attending the event are welcome to join teams in need of players to compete in tournament play. We ask that no team skate in tournaments with more than 10 skaters. You may sub accordingly if you wish. 

Q. If I am attending without my team, will I get to play?
A. As noted above, you may sub into teams short skaters or take part in the open tournaments on Sunday. 

Sign up soon to guarantee a spot!

Q. Who is hosting this event?
A. The Wildwood Convention Center is the home of the South Jersey Derby Girls. But the CCRE is not advertising that they are hosting the event as a lot of WFTDA-aspiring and OSDA skaters are contributing to the event's success. We want to make it as open and friendly to everyone as possible, and allow a forum for leagues to truly showcase their talents. Many leagues play by both rulesets. And since I have never seen any Renegade girls play, I am hoping they come as well. Oh, and gentlemen, come show us your bad-ass skills, too.

Please post any additional questions below and we will answer them.

http://www.ccrollerexpo.com

Hosted By:
Richmond Derby Demons

When:
Saturday, March 14, 2009

Where:
Roller Dome
4902 Williamsburg Road
Richmond
23231

Description:
Richmond Derby Demons 1st home game of the 2009 season!

Click Here To View Event

 I recently had a rollergirl come up to me, and very, very bluntly, tell me to my face, and I quote: "It is in my personal opinion that men don't belong in roller derby."  Now, I'm a very passive guy (when I'm not in the rink) & usually I would easily walk away from someones opinion, but I am very passionate about this sport, and this chick hit a nerve. I had to bite my lip to the point I tasted blood, and drag myself away. Then afterwards, I really regreted not saying what was trying to come through my clenched up bloody lips. And what I wanted to say was: "Do you know ANYTHING about the history of the sport you supposedly love so much? Because if you did, then such an ignorant, sexest statement would not have rolled so freely across your lips." Maybe I wouldn't have put it quite so nicely but the point is, in 1935 when women werent accepted in ANY sport, they were accepted and considered equal to men in the 1st ever roller derby. From that point on, roller derby was not a mans sport, or a womans sport. It was a sport where ANYONE regrdless of sex, age, religion, or race could come and compete. Only recently has it all of a sudden become more of a womans sport, and I promise, I will do anything in my power to change that. Why take a sport that gave women equal rights in a time where that was unheard of, and digress it back to a sexest sport where ONLY women can compete? So hopefully the rollergirl that made this ignorant statement to me is reading this blog right now, because for her or any other rollergirls reading this that share the same opinion, or anyone that is just interested in learning derbys roots, I am going to make a blog titled: The History Of Roller Derby. I encourage EVERYONE to read it. I'm sure we can all take something away from it. Thank you for reading this and allowing me to vent. See you in the rink!  ~M1ST3R MAYH3M~

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1935 Sports promoter, LEO SELTZER, looking for attractions to fill the Chicago Coliseum, created the TRANSCONTINENTAL ROLLER DERBY, an endurance race featuring a team of one man and one woman, roller skating on a banked track in a mythical race from one coast to the other. The game was modeled after dance marathons and bike races, popular in the 30s. Seltzer's sport debuted at the Coliseum on August 13, 1935. Using women in his game was a double-edged sword for Seltzer since he knew the presence of women athletes would sell tickets, although the mainstream press would not consider his sport legitimate or worthy of their coverage. 1935-1937 The next race (after the premier in Chicago) was in Kansas City, starting Sept. 18, 1935. Major cities that hosted Transcontinental Roller Derby included Louisville, Cincinnati, Indianapolis & New York City (at the famous Hipprodrome). The biggest stars of the early game were IVY KING, JOHNNIE ROSASCO (Derby's first Hall of Famer - 1952), WES ARONSON, PEGGY O'NEAL, JOE NYGRA & GENE VIZENA (husband & wife and Derby's first 'villains'), plus mother/son team of JOSEPHINE 'Ma' BOGASH & BILLY BOGASH. 'Ma' Bogash was the first woman inducted into the HOF (1952) with Rosasco. Billy became one of the greatest stars in the history of the game, skating till the late 50s. February, 1937 In Salem, Illinois, on a bus trip from St. Louis to the next race in Cincinnati, a bus crash claimed the lives of over forty Derby skaters and personnel, almost destroying the entire operation. 1938-1947 Roller Derby achieved popularity throughout the country. New York sports writer, DAMON RUNYON, saw the game in Miami in 1938 and suggested more contact and rules. Roller Derby eventually evolved into a game skated between teams of five men and five men, scoring points by lapping opponents. Seltzer's game continued throughout World War Two with two units. 1948-1952 Roller Derby was first televised from the Polo Grounds in NYC back in 1946, but when the game was broadcast from New York City's 69th Regiment Armory at the end of November, 1948, the sport finally captured the attention on the nation. Brooklyn vs. New York skated that series and the female stars of the teams, MIDGE 'Toughie' BRASUHN & GERRY MURRAY, captivated everyone. Six teams represented NEW YORK, BROOKLYN, NEW JERSEY, PHILADELPHIA, WASHINGTON & CHICAGO. Not till January, 1950 would fans pick the distinctive team nicknames - CHIEFS, RED DEVILS, JOLTERS, PANTHERS, JETS & WESTERNERS. The first Roller Derby World Series was held at New York's Madison Square Garden in September, 1949. During Derby's first five World Series, either the NEW YORK CHIEFS or JERSEY JOLTERS would win the title. In addition to Billy Bogash, Brasuhn & Murray, other top stars of this era were KEN MONTE (Brasuhn's husband), GENE GAMMON (Murray's husband), brothers TOMMIE & BUDDY ATKINSON, BOBBIE JOHNSTONE (Buddy's wife), (husband & wife) CARL & MONTA JEAN PAYNE, (husband & wife) RUSS BAKER & ANNIS JENSEN, BERT WALL, ELMER ANDERSON, ANNABELLE 'Slugger' KEALEY, SID HARNESK, MARY LOU PALERMO & (legally blind skater) SAMMY SKOBEL. The Roller Derby Hall of Fame is established in 1952 with first inductees JOHNNIE ROSASCO & 'Ma' JOSEPHINE BOGASH. In 1953, BILLY BOGASH, WES ARONSON, IVY KING, PEGGY O'NEAL were inducted. Until the original Derby league ended in 1973, twenty-one skaters would be inducted. The National Roller Derby Hall of Fame was reopened in September, 2004 in New York City. 1953 Having become the first casualty of the new media called television thru overexposure, Roller Derby left the country and started a European tour skating in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona & London. 1954-1957 Roller Derby's base of operation was relocated from NYC's Madison Square Garden to Los Angeles with the establishment of the LOS ANGELES BRAVES & CALIFORNIA BOMBERS. The Braves with JULIE PATRICK, BILLY BOGASH, CHARLIE 'Spec' SAUNDERS, MARY YOUPELLE, BARBARA MATEER, BERT WALL, JEAN PORTER & REDD SMARTT become the focus on the Derby world. 1954-1955 Roller Derby opens engagements in Hawaii & Australia. 1958-1959 Leo Seltzer's son Jerry takes over day-to-day operation of the sport, moving its base of operation to Northern California, making the SAN FRANCISCO BAY BOMBERS, Derby's premier franchise. Derby returned to New York City (1958) where the Chiefs with GERRY MURRAY, GENE GAMMON & son, MIKE GAMMON, plus BUDDY ATKINSON SR. & JR. continue to thrill fans thru 1960. Other stars of this period are ANN CALVELLO, HAL JANOWITZ, MARY GARDNER, BILL REYNOLDS & Derby's first African-American stars, GEORGE COPELAND & DARLENE ANDERSON. The Chicago Westerners stun the hometown favorite Bay Bombers in 1959's World Series Championship game at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, the first time the Finals had been skated on the West Coast. 1960-1968 Jerry Seltzer makes the BAY BOMBERS 'America's home team' focusing the Derby world on 'Mr. Roller Derby,' superstar coach, CHARLIE O'CONNELL and women's captain, ANNIS 'Big Red' JENSEN. Jensen is replaced as captain by 'Golden Girl,' JOAN WESTON in 1965. The Bay Area season operates from April thru September, with games being videotaped for broadcast over a network of stations to promote 'live' games throughout the country. The national road tour is where all the money is made as the constant promotion for live games sells out arenas everywhere. Derby also operates in the Northwest & Mexico during the early 60s and returns to New York City in 1965 during its national tour. 1961-1973 Many of the skaters who been with Derby in L.A. during the 50s (REDD SMARTT, ROGER SCHROEDER, HELEN LISKA, TERRI LYNCH, TONI TAGG, SHIRLEY HARDMAN, JOHN HALL, RALPH VALLADARES) become the centerpiece of a rival league, the National Skating Derby, called ROLLER GAMES, which is promoted by Public Relations excecutive WILLIAM GRIFFITHS. 'National' as it was called by skaters would be focused on the LOS ANGELES T-BIRDS (Thunderbirds) with LYNCH & VALLADARES. Roller Games over the next decade would establish teams in Hawaii, Australia, Canada, Mexico & Japan. In 1967, the Hawaiian team, the WARRIORS, would move to the East Coast, establishing a successful franchise in Philadelphia with former Derby stars, BUDDY ATKINSON, JR., JUDY ARNOLD, (husband & wife) MIKE GAMMON & JUDI McGUIRE. More 'home' teams would be created in Florida, Cleveland, Baltimore-Washington while Roller Games' leagues would skate seasons in Japan & Australia. NSD skaters perform in the major motion picture, KANSAS CITY BOMBER (1972), starring Raquel Welch. Other major stars of Roller Games include JUDY SOWINSKI, RONNIE RAINS, JIM TROTTER, (former Olympian) EARLEAN BROWN, DANNY REILLY, SALLY VEGA, LESTER QUARLES, JULIE PATRICK, JOHN PARKER, LEROY GONZALES, ADELINE HOCKER, NORMA ROSSNER, LOU SANCHEZ, DIANE SYVERSON, LARRY LEWIS & RICHARD BROWN. When the original Derby league folded in December, 1973, the INTERNATIONAL SKATING CONFERENCE was created with major stars of both leagues skating against each other. 1969-1971 Roller Derby's prominence under Jerry Seltzer continues to grow following major magazine pieces in 'Sports Illustrated,' 'Time' & 'Life' and the release of the critically-acclaimed documentary, DERBY, in 1971. O'CONNELL & WESTON continue to lead the Bay Bombers, while two stars from Derby's golden era, KEN MONTE & ANN CALVELLO, provide major competition. The national road tour continues to grow and grow, so much in fact, that the Bay Bombers are split into two units, San Francisco & Oakland. Derby sells out Madison Square Garden (19,500+) and draws 28,000+ (July 4, 1970) & 34,000+ (July 4, 1971) at Oakland's Coliseum Stadium for outdoor games. Stars during this period include MIKE GAMMON & JUDI McGUIRE, (boxer Sugar Ray's son) RONNIE ROBINSON, JAN VALLOW, BOB WOODBERRY, SANDY DUNN, BOB 'Bald Eagle' HEIN, TONY ROMAN, CAROL MEYER, CLIFF BUTLER, MARGIE LASZLO, LYDIA CLAY & BILL GROLL. 1971-1973 Fall of '71, Seltzer sells the San Francisco Bay Bombers to a Texas group and reactivates the NEW YORK CHIEFS (with Charlie O'Connell & Mike Gammon) as Madison Square Garden becomes once again actively involved with the sport. Joan Weston & Ronnie Robinson lead the hometown MIDWEST (Chicago) PIONEERS while Ann Calvello & Cliff Butler lead the OHIO (Cincinnati) JOLTERS. By the summer of '72, O'Connell is back with the Bay Bombers and the team is back in the Derby fold. A skaters' strike hobbles the Derby family and rising costs makes the business suffer. In September, 1972, over 52,000+ fans attend an interleague game between the PIONEERS & L.A. T-BIRDS in Chicago's Comiskey Park. Gas shortages and increased costs cripple Seltzer's family-run 'Mom & Pop' operation and the original Roller Derby league skates its last game on December 8, 1973 at the Long Island Arena in Commack, New York. Seltzer sells everything to the National Skating Derby. 1974-1987 The International Skating Conference is created as the greatest stars of Roller Derby & Roller Games come together in one league. Only the New York CHIEFS from the original Derby league continue. The new enterprise is short-lived when Derby stars refuse to skate the more theatrical style of Roller Games and fans stay home. The L.A. T-BIRDS & Eastern WARRIORS are the premier teams in the ISC along with TEAM CANADA, TOKYO BOMBERS & LATIN LIBERTADORES. The San Francisco BAY BOMBERS come back at the end of '74. Roller Games' superstar, JUDY ARNOLD, retires in August, 1975 and soon the entire league disappears. After the ISC ends, operations continue separately in Philadelphia & Los Angeles, but Roller Games East is soon gone. In Los Angeles, the T-BIRDS continue, but the 'new' Roller Games is focused around beautiful women who have little skating talent and the entire operation becomes more and more 'soap opera.' Roller Games eventually tours Mexico, Canada and the East Coast, thanks to broadcasts on ESPN, but by the late 80s, few games are skated. 1975-1987 Roller Derby returns to the Bay Area in 1975, but the upstart league is short-lived. In 1976, after a game at Cal State, the IRSL (International Roller Skating League) is formed by MIKE GAMMON & (former Derby announcer) DON DREWRY. Somewhat bittersweetly, many great stars of the original Derby return to skate a season of games reminiscent of the original league. Gammon & Drewry leave in 1978 and the operation is run by rock promoter DAVID LIPSCHULTZ. Games are once again seen on TV in the Bay Area, plus around the nation on ESPN. The league even returns to skate in New York City & Chicago. 1990 Rock 'N Roller Games, a syndicated TV program featuring the T-Birds (with legendary skating star, RALPH VALLADARES) debuts. Instead of a banked track oval, skaters compete on a figure eight track with a 'Wall of Death' plus an alligator pit, along with rock bands. The series is cancelled after a short run. May 10, 1997 Legendary skating star, JOAN WESTON, died of Jacob-Kruetzfeld disease in California, but her sudden death inspires a renewed interest in the game. January 15, 1999 TNN's program, ROLLER JAM , debuts featuring the World Skating League where most of the young skaters use inline skates rather than quad skates. Former Roller Games' star, 'Little Richard' BROWN was one of a handful of veteran skaters on the track. ROLLER JAM emphasized the 'soap opera' elements of the the program rather than the game. It would last two years. September 24, 2004 After receiving the blessing of Jerry Seltzer and family, Gary Powers reopens the National Roller Derby Hall of Fame & Museum in Brooklyn, New York. At the first induction ceremonies, five women and five men, phenomenal legends of the banked track, were inducted into the Hall of Fame, being the first skaters named to the Hall of Fame since 1968. Attending the reopening ceremonies in Brooklyn were greats of the banked track like GERRY MURRAY, MIKE GAMMON, JULIE PATRICK, JOHNNIE & KAY KARP, JUDY SOWINSKI, BOB WOODBERRY, JIMMY CIOTA, PETE BOYD, VINNIE GANDOLFO and fans from all over the country. Present Day Roller derby continues its comeback with new teams and leagues popping up all over the country daily. Some teams are all female, some are all male, some are co-ed, ALL are sure to continue to excite and please fans for many, many years to come.

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2008 OSDA Championships were a great success with PJSD winning the championship this year and we had a great banquet with the Roller Derby Hall of Fame.

Atkinson Cup Game

Penn Jersey She Devils

Points- 77 total points

Shampain- 24 points
Classy Chassis- 23 points
Miss Chievous- 12 points
Vidal Boom Boom- 8 points
Lucky Luciano – 5 points
Rollin' Rican- 4 points
Deuces Wild – 1 point

Penalty Minutes- 12 total minutes

Rollin' Rican- 3 minutes
ShamPain- 3 minutes
Classy Chassis- 2 minutes
Deuces Wild- 2 minutes
Hotrod Hussy- 1 minute
Lucky Luciano- 1 minute

South Jersey Derby Girls

Points- 21 total points

Mos Deathly- 6 points
Karma Chaos- 6 points
BreakHer Baker- 5 points
Billy Rae Siren- 3 points
Chop Suey- 1 point

Penalty Minutes- 5 total minutes

Chop Suey- 2 minutes
Deathrow Dutchess- 1 minute
Crashn'Dash-1 minute
Billy Rae Siren-1 minute

Ejection- 1 ejection
Chop Suey

Coed Game

Man's Ruin

Points- 33 total points

Siegtermans- 9 points
Stickley- 8 points
Taylor- 5 points
Rosko-4 points
Weigold- 4 points
Mascoli- 3 points

Penalty Minutes- 3 total minutes

Hefferon- 1 minute
McGuinness- 1 minute
Acuna- 1 minute

Richmond Derby Demons

Points- 30 total points

Red Ranger- 14  points
Bobby Carnage- 6 points
Wry Cooter- 4 points
Square Cat- 3 points
Freudy N. Slip- 2 points
Myra Venge- 1 point

Penalty minutes- 1 total minutes

R.D.D. Would like to thank Man's Ruin for a truly challenging game. It was a pleasure to skate against you guys & gals. Let's do it again soon!

Since the Demons have become affiliated with OSDA, we've heard our share of myths through the grapevine! Some people haven't the slightest idea of what OSDA is, and so the rumors fly! Here are a few of the most popular and some of the most outrageous rumors we've heard about OSDA, and what OSDA is really all about. What have you heard lately?

1. OSDA is Co-Ed Only

Not so! OSDA allows for 4 different types of games: all women, all men, co-ed, and old school style (alternating periods of all men and all women, creating a four period game).

2. OSDA allows for wrestling

OSDA frowns on any kind of fighting during a game. The crowd should come for the awesome skating; not to see a fight.

3. OSDA is fake

OSDA never stages games or jams or anything.

4. OSDA is cigar smoker owned

OSDA is not owned nor sponsored by any cigar company or affiliate.

5. OSDA hates WFTDA

OSDA has no problem with WFTDA or WFTDA leagues; they just have a different version of playing the game, and invite others to learn about it.

6. OSDA steals players

Nope. OSDA is simply offering an alternative association to WFTDA with a rule-set that includes men and that is designed to be easily transferred to a banked track setting.

7. OSDA is unsafe

OSDA's rules allow for different and more types of legal blocks, however, in an OSDA game, a skater is penalized a minute for EACH rule infraction. Therefore, while there are more legal moves available to skaters, any unsafe interaction constituting a foul is more strictly penalized.

8. OSDA is dirty

OSDA is a different type of game with different rules. If you're used to playing WFTDA and want to play a game using OSDA rules, I HIGHLY suggest you read through them first, and perhaps watch an OSDA game. The players aren't dirty; the game is just different.

9. OSDA is banked track only

OSDA rules are designed to be relevant to flat-track and banked-track games.

10. OSDA is men only

This is simply un-true, and was covered in question one.

11. OSDA is a greedy corporation

OSDA allows leagues that are non-profits to gain OSDA certification. The members that make up the OSDA sacrifice their own time and resources to help build the association, which is far from greedy.

12. OSDA is men run and for profit

OSDA is run by men and women, some of whom have professional roller derby backgrounds and who have been inducted into the roller derby hall of fame. They run the organization for their love of the sport. I'm sure most skaters can agree that roller derby is contagious and grows into every part of your life.

13. OSDA is spandex, alligators and figure 8 tracks

This is one of the more outrageous myths. Most OSDA skaters wear t-shirts and shorts (or skirts), and the track is an oval, just a little bigger than the WFTDA track. The track specifications can be found on the OSDA website. There are no alligators involved.

14. OSDA is RollerJam.

No, OSDA is roller derby.

15. OSDA is dead.

Nope, OSDA is going strong and has a bright future!

16. OSDA rules are too small.

OSDA rules are shorter than WFTDA rules. Roller derby is a GAME. It doesn't need to get too complicated.

17. OSDA has weird passing the star rules

I'm not sure where this even came from, because in OSDA, you don't pass the star at all.

18. OSDA let's pivots jam anytime

OSDA rules allow the pivot to jam when that team's jammer either cannot get out of the pack, or is not in play (such as when he/she is in the penalty box). This way, there are always 2 jammers, and therefore an interesting jam. Please view the OSDA rules on the OSDA website for more details on pivot jamming.



If you have any questions about OSDA, please see their website at http://oldschoolderbyassociation.com. If you can't find the answers there, send them an email, and get the answers from the source, instead of through the grapevine!

This is the story of how one of our skaters got into roller skating, and the effect it has had on his life. This is only the first in many skate/derby related stories from our league members that we're planning to post. Enjoy!

I am a city kid. I did not grow up in a big city, but the terrain was and still is unmistakably urban. Row houses, with small front yards (15' X 30' max) and back yards that were only barely bigger. The side walk was our play area, and we were fortunate that they were wide and fully paved. Most of them were paved, the ones I learned to ride a bike on were paved, but when I was 5, we moved to an older neighborhood, that had well worn brick side walks. Despite the millions of cracks and joints it was a wonderful surface full of character. Not unlike an old wooden floor, only significantly more rollercoastery.

I am sure that my first exposure to skates was of the "clamp on" variety. There was a tremendous mismatched pile of them in my grandparent's basement. I do not remember much about them, but they were fascinating to me, and shortly afterward I got a pair of real skates (that had boots attached) from a yard sale that were too big, but that is no obstacle for a determined kid. I learned to skate on those brick sidewalks with all of their charm and character.

I have a younger brother (by 18 months), and with only one pair of skates, there was some times little choice but to share. Fortunately he was left handed, so I got the right skate, and he was happy with the left. We played a lot of crash up derby on the smooth marble porch of the church across the street, but as surely as elementary school kids get distracted and move on to the next thing, we did.

It was not until junior high did skates come back in to my life. It was very much a popular social activity, and it happened at skating rinks. My first kiss was supposed to happen at a skating rink, but we turned out to be too chicken.

Since skating was a "rink" sport, and neither close to my house nor cheap, it was a rare and special occasion for me. I expect that I went no more than 10 times, but they left an indelible mark on me. I could have done without the cliques and politics, but the feeling of skating on that wood floor, was one of the best feelings I had experienced ever. It was certainly better than the first kiss I got some time later.

High school turned south for me, possibly because I was not skating, but after I traded high school for a GED and went to college to major in art, I ditched my skateboard for a thrift store pair of skates. They were not particularly good, in fact they sucked, but they were enough to hook me. I wore those suckers slam out, and got a more serviceable pair, still not great, but I have not as of yet owned an expensive skate (my boot is pretty good).

The hook became permanent on my 18th birthday. I took some of my birthday loot and bought myself a soft set of Kryptonics and half decent bearings. The city streets at night were a whole new place. I rolled with a scabby bunch of skate boarders, some of whom are still some of my best friends. We skated everywhere, and since skates were harder to "get off of" than a skate board, I never took them off. I wore them straight for two years instead of shoes. I wore my skates in the house, once I put them on to go out, and left them on until I went to bed. My room was on the third floor; fortunately the steps and upstairs halls were carpeted. The only times I did not have my skates on is when I drove my car or rode my motorcycle. Campus was within skating distance of my parent's house, and parking was disastrous even for a motorcycle, so that is why I did not drive. I could carry my art supplies and portfolio on my skates, but not so successfully on my motorcycle. (slightly off topic) I did make a fiberglass replica of myself frozen in a semi run/mosh pose for one of my classes. It had my skates on, and would not easily go in my VW beetle, but it did sort of sit on the back of my motorcycle. A few of my friends saw me and did double takes as I gave myself a ride to class on my motorcycle.

In about 1988 or 89 I had worn out my skates again, and went to Disco Sports at Regency mall to get another pair. I was ready to move up a notch, but I was not ready for the sales guy, who convinced me, that the future was in these new skates. He showed me a picture of RollerDerby's version of inline skates. He was very excited about them, and I must have made his day, when I ordered a pair, and bought a pair of regular skates with nylon plates and trucks.

The nylon skates were super light, but not nearly sturdy enough. One of the toe stops ripped off right about the time my in-lines arrived. Not a bad time to tryout the newbie's.

The heel stop was a new thing, and it was an option on my skates, and so was putting them on the front. I will never forget hanging out in front of the "Mister Music wall", a low brick wall in front of an ill fated music store that collected cool hanger outers, when a car load of more cool people drove by, letting their presence be known by yelling out the window. They were headed to a party that we did not know about, so I set out to catch them. My in-lines were very fast, and there was no doubt that I could catch them, but I had not yet gotten used to my toe stops being on my heels, and fell flat on my face. I did get up in a flash, and I did not hurt myself, but I did not continue my chase. I bolted home and put my toe stops back on the front where they belonged.

I still skated with all the same folks, on the street, on ramps, and in the parking decks down town at night. It probably took two years to wear out those skates, and by then they were beginning to start catching on. Alas, the option of putting the toe stops on the front did not, and I went back to traditional skates, but admittedly did not skate a whole lot.

I had hit a point in my life where getting acceptable grades would cut in to my social time significantly, and I just put the skates on the shelf. They stayed there most of the time, but would come down on occasions, but I do not remember any specific ones, until my 25 year old frame needed some exercise. They would come off the shelf semi regularly after that point, but would still never hook me until I was infected by roller derby.

I skated my first bout on my 38th birthday in South Jersey. I am living and breathing derby, and am in the best shape of my life, with more potential to be tapped (I hope).

~Square Cat

I'm really glad to see that ESPN is recognizing roller derby as a sport. In this video clip, they interviewed a few derby girls both on and off the rink. What I loved about it is that it shows that people who play roller derby come from all walks of life, and they each gain something by incorporating derby into their lives. For most of them, roller derby is more than a hobby; it is an activity through which they gain confidence and an outlet for parts of their personality that they felt wouldn't be properly expressed in other parts of their day to day lives. This is why I love roller derby: there's no telling what you'll gain from the experience. Hopefully in the future we'll see ESPN cover co-ed roller derby!

www.DerbyLuv.com explains OSDA vs WFTDA

http://www.derbyluv.com/articles/20070809_kenneth-sikes_osda.php
Roller Derby

Kickin' it Old Skool: OSDA Founder Kenneth Sikes

With the recent creation of the OSDA (Old School Derby Association), I was curious to know the difference between current WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) rules and OSDA rules. Were the banked track rules were being applied to flat track, and if so, did that mean I could link arms with a co-blocker and make a true wall of jammer-blocking-goodness? Did it mean I could tackle an opposing jammer? And what was the OSDA all about?

So rather than speculate I went right to the source, Kenneth Sikes, the founder of the OSDA, and asked him why is he doing it "old school"?

"We do Old School Derby because we feel that we can learn from the Derby Skaters that came before us," said Sikes, who also doubles as co-founder and advisor of the Penn Jersey She Devils. " We feel that the OSDA rules lead to a more exciting and easier to comprehend game. And upon seeing tapes of professional Banked Track games, our girls just felt that what we were doing under the WFTDA rule set could be improved upon."

The Penn Jersey She Devils League President sat down with coaches, Judy Sowinski & Arnold Schoen and worked on developing a Flat Track rule set that would be as close to the Professional Banked Track rule set as possible.

"Under no circumstances should this be taken to mean staged fights or fixed finishes," said Sikes. "It is strictly a hard skated defensive game."

While there are many significant differences between the OSDA and the WFTDA rules - including a little more leniency in some of the blocking methods, and a deliciously wide assortment of whips & blocks - some are more significant than others, specifically in the lead jammer status.

In the WFTDA rules, the lead jammer is the first jammer who legally breaks through the pack, and she retains the lead jammer status regardless of her position relative to the opposing jammer throughout the jam. In an OSDA bout, the lead jammer status changes continuously throughout the jam, depending on which jammer is ahead of the other.

"We feel this exchanging back and forth leads to more excitement for the audience," said Sikes. "We also require a jammer to be on her feet and in bounds when she calls off the jam." I have to say that this awesome. It's always frustrating when an opposing jammer is lead jammer, and you catch up and pass her, and because the status doesn't change in WFTDA rules, the jam can be called off right when you're up to the pack to halt your point-scoring. I love this rule!

Once a lead jammer gets out, if the opposing team's jammer is tied up in the pack, the opposing pivot can immediately go out as a replacement jammer. Seems easier than having to practice passing the star until you can do it fast and at high speed.

There are currently nine member leagues in the OSDA.

"The response so far has been excellent," said Sikes. "We've been approached by quite a few leagues and more seem to contact us every day. Currently we have nine member leagues."

The current member roller derby leagues are: The Corpus Christi Rolling Thunder, The Penn Jersey She Devils (and their Men's team the Hellcity Hooligans), Diamond City (both the Scream Queens & their Men's Team, the Death Kings), Hanging City Derby, Red Dirt Rebellion Rollergirls, Richmond Derby Demons, South Jersey Derby Girls, T-Town Derby Grrls and the Kalamazoo Kamikazees.

For more information on the official Old School Roller Derby rules, please visit the OSDA website at www.oldschoolderby.com or the She Devils website: www.shedevilsrollerderby.com You can also contact Ken Sikes directly at pjbloodhound@yahoo.com.