HYPERLOCAL NEWS HUB BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS DEPARTMENT OF JOURNALISM
Memphis Roller Derby at the Fairgrounds
The Memphis Hustlin' Rollers took on Oklahoma Victory Dolls on Saturday Feb. 18.
Published April 3, 2012
By Tracey Harlow/
MicroMemphis Reporter
With music blaring, fans could feel the excitement as the doors opened an hour before the first bout began.
The Memphis Roller Derby held a Double Header College Night at the Mid-South Fairgrounds in the Pipkin Building on a cool February evening.
“The movie (“Whip It!”) is a little sensational. This is the real deal,” said Memphis coach Joshua Anderson, aka Dirty Professor.
Roller Derby is a combination of athleticism and strategy. The bouts are made up of short “jams” in which both teams are trying to score and prevent the other team from scoring at the same time. Only the “jammer” can score as she tries to get past the defense and skate as many laps as possible. Only the “jammer” can score points.
Former skater Kim Morrison, describes MRD as a “grassroots, fly-by-the seat-of-your-pants kind of thing.”
Women 18-years or older are eligible to tryout. The oldest member of the Memphis Hustlin’ Rollers is 50-years old. Although don’t expect any one to treat you differently because of your age, these women have the battle scars to prove it.
“Broken bones are common. Bumps and bruises are constant. If you’re scared of getting hurt this isn’t the sport for you. I mean people are constantly going to the hospital. It’s just like any other sport,” said Morrison.
MRD skaters are the ones who get the word out about their matches. They do all of the legwork and they pay for their own jerseys, pads and skates. They even pay monthly dues to be a part of the “most bad-ass sisterhood in town.”
By day, many of the Memphis skaters are teachers, moms, students and nurses.
Pain Dilla, number 500 for the Memphis Hustlin’ Rollers, got involved with the team three years ago. Her love for the sport stems from her physicality.
“I love hitting people. I’m very physical, I mean I love playing football.”
However MRD is not just about hitting people with reckless abandon. There are plays and strategies behind the skating and hitting.
“We are always practicing and when we aren’t practicing we are working on stuff on our own,” said Pain Dilla.
Memphis Roller Derby Double Header College Night
Photos by Jasmine Hunter/MicroMemphis reporter
Memphis Hustlin' Rollers Vs. Oklahoma Victory Dolls
Video by Ally Fannin/ MicroMemphis reporter
Ally Fannin/ MicroMemphis reporter
Ally Fannin covers Recreation for MicroMemphis.
You can send her story ideas here.
You can follow her on Twitter ( @anfannin ).
Tracey Harlow / MicroMemphis reporter
Tracey Harlow covers Recreation for MicroMemphis.
You can send her story ideas here.
You can follow her on twitter ( @harlow_tracey )
Jasmine Hunter/ MicroMemphis reporter
Jasmine Hunter covers Recreation for Micromemphis.
You can send her story ideas here.
Follow her on Twitter ( @Jasmine_Hunter ).