Send a DDG Bout Program Shout-out!

Posted on April 20, 2009

Derby fans can finally be part of the action!  Praise your favorite derby girl, tell your mom how special she is, or ask your lover to marry you.  Express yourself in 10
lines or less, and, for a small fee of only $5 per line of text, your words will be published in the Detroit Derby Girls program.  All monies received will go toward
supporting the Detroit Derby Girls, and making the best of your derby experience.
*Remember* fans we are a family oriented organization, so keep it P.C.  For information on how you can get involved contact:  sponsorship@detroitderbygirls.com  or visit the
recruitment table at the bout for details.

100% Pure Polly Fester, February’s MVP

Posted on April 15, 2009

By Holly Hitsville

In February, Polly Fester #100% was voted the MVP of the D-Funk Allstars vs. Devil’s Night Dames bout.  Polly Fester skates for her home team, D-Funk Allstars, as well as the Detroit Derby Girls (DDG) Travel Team.  I recently caught up with her to talk shop about breaking through the D-Funk’s losing streak, her refereeing brother, and the upcoming Travel Team Fundraiser.

Describe your skating and/or athletic background before roller derby.

I have tried nearly every single sport out there since I was 5 years old; youth soccer, then everything in middle school, and gymnastics during high school and college.  Then I played on OU’s ice hockey team (we were CCWHA Champions my Senior/Assistant Captain year!). I also studied some ballet in college and for a year apprenticed/performed with a drum and dance group in Ghana – talk about tiring and HOT.

How long have you been playing roller derby and when did you start skating for the DDG and DDG Travel Team?

I showed up at the beginning of February 2007.  My first bout experience came with the debut of the Mitten Kittens in Chicago during an exhibition challenge. Then I was drafted 1st pick to D-Funk and my first game with them was in December ‘07.  A week later I tried out and made the Travel Team.

What made you want to become involved in roller derby?

I was always secretly jealous of my dear friend, Sass Knuckles, but didn’t want to tread on her “thing” even though she wouldn’t have cared and encouraged me to join when I expressed interest. At the time, it sounded cheaper than ice hockey, but now I know, due to equipment and gas, it’s more expensive. OOPS!

You were voted MVP of the D-Funk Allstars vs. Devil’s Night Dames bout on February 14th where you did an outstanding job both jamming and blocking. Do you prefer playing one position to the other and if so why?

Hmmm. It really depends on the day as to whether I enjoy jamming or blocking more. I was only rostered to jam in that bout; I think I went out to block just once or twice. When it comes to picking a blocking position, I’d say I prefer playing back.

The D-Funk Allstars have had quite a successful 2009 season and secured a position in the May 30th Championship Bout. In previous years they have been known for their infamous losing streak; what do you think has specifically changed this season for the D-Funk Allstars?

Last year, half of us were rookies! So, I think experience is what’s helping us the most right now; knowing what to do and when to do it.

The DDG Travel Team has a 1-1 record so far with a win over Arch Rival Roller Girls and a tough loss to the Windy City Rollers. What was the hardest lesson you learned while engaging with the number 2 nationally-ranked team?

Even though you THINK you know how someone or a team plays, it is totally different and unexpected when you actually go up against them. They play a very different style of derby than we do, more swooping, etc. – even they were agreeing in the difference, saying that we play faster than they do.

You’re not the only one in your family involved with roller derby.  Can you tell us what your brother’s role is and how he got into it?

I dragged him into it! I convinced him he had time in his schedule. He’s a ref and was named “Bilbo T. Baggins” by the other refs and stat army. It’s really not weird that he’s my brother and a ref at the same time. I have no issue with it, and he is very, very careful to avoid any potential issues reffing any games I am in. On the track, he’s a ref and a volunteer, and a split-second decision-maker – that’s all (and I highly respect him for those duties, even when he sends me to the penalty box). Off the track, he’s my brother, my best friend, my support system, my role model, and I love him dearly.

There’s a fundraiser to support the DDG Travel Team this Sunday April 19. Can you give us the details?

YAY! Come roller skate with us! We’re having a skating party at our home training rink, Riverside, in Livonia from 6-8. Tickets are $8 in advance, $10 at the door, and kids 12 and under are free with an adult. There will be games, prizes, and a silent auction full of goodies made/donated by the derby girls themselves.

Photos by Colin Johnson.

The Infamous Summers Eve-L

Posted on April 9, 2009

By Holly Hitsville

Summers Eve-L skates for the Devil’s Night Dames and the Detroit Derby Girls (DDG) Travel Team.  Saturday’s bout will pit her home team against the Pistol Whippers.  If you like rooting for rookies and dark horses then the Devil’s Night Dames is your team.  Summers Eve-L and I recently chatted about cheerleading, her derby calling, and always expecting the unexpected.

Describe your skating and/or athletic background before roller derby.

As a kid I started out in gymnastics then made the switch to figure skating. When high school rolled around, I was tired of all the time and effort involved (ugh, practice before AND after school). I took up track, sprints, and sprint relays, and yes, I was a cheerleader. We were very competitive and I was able to use my gymnastic background, plus it was pretty much the same gang that ran track. Ask me and Boo to perform our school’s fight song!

How long have you been playing roller derby and when did you start skating for the DDG and the DDG Travel Team?

This is my fourth season overall and my third season with the Travel Team.

What made you want to become involved in roller derby?

Some friends and I had a long-running joke that if roller derby ever made a comeback, it would be my calling (I guess they think I have anger issues or something?). At the time it seemed like a pipe dream; I never thought it would REALLY happen. About four years ago, I was reading an article in BUST Magazine about the Gotham Girls Roller Derby. I was blown away; of course they have something THAT cool in NYC. I went online looking for their schedule thinking I’d check out a bout when I was there on business. Through various links I found out Detroit was starting a league and immediately contacted them. After watching one practice, I knew there was no escape.

The Devil’s Night Dames just picked up five skaters during the mid-season draft.  What are some of the challenges and perks of having over half of a team made up of rookies?

It’s great to have a full bench to play with, not to mention the energy and enthusiasm rookies bring. The challenge is getting them up to speed so quickly. It’s not easy to jump in like that mid-season.

You are one of the three founding members that still skate for the Devil’s Night Dames. Can you talk about the evolution of the team over the years and what you think the 2010 season holds for the Dames?

The one thing I’ve learned being a Dame is to be prepared for the unexpected – we’ve been a new team every single season and this one is certainly no exception. Don’t ask me about 2010 – I haven’t a clue!

The Devil’s Night Dames are going into Saturday’s bout as the underdog, having not won a game this year.  Do you have anything you’d like to say to the Pistol Whippers, with their undefeated season in full swing, that we could print here?

“Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.” – Sun Tzu

Last two photos shot by Colin Johnson

Diesel Doll Brings The Pain

Posted on April 9, 2009

By Holly Hitsville

Diesel Doll skates for both the Pistol Whippers (PW) and the Detroit Derby Girls (DDG) Travel Team.  On Saturday, her home team takes on the Devil’s Night Dames, which should be an intense game considering that one team has yet to lose a game this season while the other can’t seem to win. This week I caught up with Diesel Doll to talk about her skate clog envy, the lie Devil Kitty tried to sell her, and the long list of sports she has tackled.

Describe your skating and/or athletic background before roller derby.

Since I was a kid, I have always been involved in league sports and after college I was very active in a sport and social club. I have played organized softball, soccer, volleyball, flag football, ice hockey, and floor hockey. I’m also an avid lover of outdoor athletic activities like backpacking, camping, fly-fishing, rollerblading, trap shooting, and mountain biking. Back in the day, I used to roller skate all the time. I even had a pair of the adjustable metal skates that strap onto your shoes! I was jealous of the girls that had the roller skate clogs (ca. 1978).

How long have you been playing roller derby and when did you start skating for the Detroit Derby Girls (DDG) and the DDG Travel Team?

I started playing with the Detroit Derby Girls in October 2005. I was one of the original members of the “Travel Team” that played Sin City (Las Vegas) February 2006. I took a season off from the Travel Team then tried out again after I was inspired by Detroit’s performance at 2007 Nationals in Austin, TX.

What made you want to become involved in roller derby?

When I learned about DDG it sounded interesting, dangerous, and I thought, “Hey, I can do this!” I attended my first league fundraiser and thought everyone was very cool, creative, and fun. This is where Devil Kitty, in an effort to recruit players, straight up lied to me saying that derby is no more dangerous than any other sport I’ve played.

You are one of the seven founding members that still skate for the Pistol Whippers. What do you think the biggest advantage is of being on a team made up mostly of established veterans?

The PW may be known as the “old ladies” of the DDG, but we are aging like a fine cheese. We enjoy swapping recipes, crochet patterns, and playing bridge. Having a second-nature understanding of how your teammates will react in a given situation and playing on everyone’s strengths is an advantage for us. We are very excited about how well our two rookie players, Jackie O. Noyoudidnt and Mega Bloxx, have been brought into the fold and we look forward to their debut this Saturday!

The Devil’s Night Dames are coming into Saturday’s bout as the long shot and a little bit of a wildcard since five of them have never bouted before. Does playing against a relatively rookie-heavy team make you cautious at all in your skating? Or are you going to teach the new gals a hard lesson?

We are certainly NOT underestimating the player talent, seasoned or new, on the Dames. Their rookie players are emerging as hard-hitters and solid positional blockers and jammers! Having said that, the Whippers have no intentions on going easy on anyone….we approach all bouts with equal ferocity. We’ve had no luck in asking Sarah or Del Bomber to take it easy on the Dame’s rookies! Everyone in derby gets her comeuppance!

The Pistol Whippers are going into Saturday’s bout undefeated so far this season. Do you have anything you’d like to say to the Devil’s Night Dames that we could print here?

The PW’s would like to deliver an undefeated season. To do this we will need to bring some pain to the Dames.

Last two photos shot by Colin Johnson

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