Derby Name: Professor Booty

Number: 00

Team(s): The Rolling Pin-Ups & The Burning River All-Stars

Position(s):  Lately for the Pin-Ups: Pivot & Jammer (gag) & for The All-Stars:  Outside blocker

How did you learn of the league? I think I just typed in Cleveland roller derby & BRRG popped up.  I sent an email & had to wait all damn summer to start!

What made you want to become a derby girl? Well it was becoming quite evident that I was too small for those brutes I was encountering in various rugby city leagues & I needed something fun to do.  I considered lacrosse and even soccer but I wasn’t very excited about either & I didn’t think they would be aggressive enough for me.  A friend of mine had tried derby in Minneapolis and it seemed like a good fit.  I checked out a couple of practices, watched an OHRG bout & the rest is history!

Were you a good skater before you joined the league? I hadn’t skated since I was a kid before joining the league so I’m going to say probably not.

Who do you miss the most that has left the league? Hands down Kill Basa.  Followed by Skellawhore and definitely not Pain!

Are you happy you switched to the Pin-Ups, was it hard to leave the Steamers? I am EXTREMELY happy that I switched to the Pin-Ups - as far as life decisions go, it has definitely been one of my best!  As far as leaving the Steamers goes - of course it was tough.  It wasn’t decided overnight but it came to the point where I either had to leave the team or quit derby.  And that’s all I’m going to say about that…

How did you decide on the name Professor Booty? I thought of a couple of names (like the dirty scientist & lab dancer) but Professor Booty seemed to get the most laughs & since I enjoy hamming it up from time to time, that one was the winner.

What are your thoughts about the difference from ‘07 BRRG to ‘09 BRRG? Oh man where do I even begin?  The level of play is so much more intense and skilled, bouts are way more challenging and fun and the league (as a whole) has so much more skating knowledge and ability.

Who is your favorite person to knock down? I don’t think I have just 1 favorite.  Okay well maybe I do but its a secret!  Or is it?

Last year you were MVP blocker, how does that feel? I had the double finger cross going at the banquet while I was waiting to hear who would win that award.  I was up against some pretty tough competition but when I heard my name I was so f-ing happy and honored and then I think my face got all red.  I worked really hard trying to become a better blocker and I definitely upped my off skates training so it was nice to know that my hard work paid off.  Even if it wouldn’t have been me, I still would have been satisfied getting some sort of recognition.  That award has given me even more motivation to keep up that extra work this season both on and off the track.

What is your fondest derby memory? My dad made a sign last season that said “Professor Booty is my daughter” and I can remember how happy that made me feel when I saw it for the first time.

How do you feel about the turn 2 boys? Absolute adoration - even though you always make me blush!

What do you feel is essential to propel roller derby as a sport? Continual on skates improvement, increased fitness and competitiveness, player retention & recruitment and increasing our fan base.

How do you like being on the team with the least amount of skaters again? Well considering the fact that I pretty much love my new team (especially after this last bout), I can honestly say that it doesn’t bother me one bit and I actually don’t even think about it.  Being down players has only made us grow and play together as a team (plus we have incredible endurance!).  Coming in as a new team member, I can honestly say that I was/am pleasantly surprised with the Pin-ups’ super positive attitudes and am impressed by the support available both on and off the track.

What were your thoughts when seeing yourself jamming on the sk8intheface header? I was flattered & embarrassed too!

How has your life changed since roller derby? I definitely crave meat way more than before!  Briefly - derby helped me to get my guts back, has made me more serious about my fitness & has introduced me to some wonderful people.  I can’t imagine not skating.

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The trip out to Fort Wayne was not an easy one; cars were off the road in ditches, semi’s jack-knifed, and every weather station telling us not to travel. But, in the harshest of environments, members of the BRRG braved the elements and traveled to Fort Wayne Indiana.

First up the Xanadont’s with secret new weapons known as The Killustrator and Chrissie B. Hynde; came out with a strong effort but finished just shy of a win. Punk’d Pixie, Margarita Mayhem, and Vix Smackey showed an intense preview of what the ‘09 season is going to look like (look out everyone, Pin-ups are contenders for the Cup). The Xanadont’s played well, but allowed fundamental mistakes to occur, fouls to hurt them, and fatigue to play a factor. It came to the last jam, but with a large crowd pumping the S.W.A.T. Team, the Xanadont’s were unable to come out on top.

I learned a lot sitting between Magic Lee Malicious and Quarter boy (GRRG) about personal styles and where working as a team is needed. I also learned a lot about inexperienced referees, and bad calls. I thank you both for your knowledge and friendship.

Now onto the All-Star Rematch; Burning River steps onto Fort Wayne turf missing a few key elements. One- The Validator: a major factor who scored many points in our first encounter with the Bomb Squad. Two- Slaughterama Mama: an incredible blocker who seems to gain energy when most others begin to feel fatigue. And three- Pain Austen: who yes did not play but has an expertise in observation when play a dirty team like the bomb squad. And yes I said Dirty! I know accidents happen and mistakes get made, refs do not see everything, but something’s you just cannot turn a blind eye to. I also understand that there will always be biased referees, and dirty skaters; and that will never change.

It was a treat to see you girls playing like a team out there! I did not see what I have seen in previous bouts; huge talent with no communication, every girl out there trying to get hers. A saw a major group effort and every girl knowing her role on the track. We had a rough start, with our first three jams, only scoring two points. But we started playing with good strategy and started nickel and dime jams. Then in a reverse of roles we started putting up major points and shutting down there jammer. By the end of the second half it was a one point game.

Unfortunately, it was becoming extremely apparent the referees from Fort Wayne had total disregard for WFTDA rules, especially when it came to fouls committed by their own players. I could go off on an hour tangent, about dozens of instances where I saw blatant fouls (by the bomb squad) with no call, or no foul or legal move being called as fouls (by BRRG). I believe this hurt the team in a way where we lost focus of the game; having to spend time and energy showing referees the fouls, and paying back the one who fouled, this is where there Jammer was able to break through the pack quick and leave our jammer fighting to get through. But in reality this is a situation we knew we were getting into, before we walked in the arena. Even speaking with members of GRRG I heard of dirty players in the bomb squad. We needed to be able to beat this team despite these hindrances. But when I look back at this bout, the team work that I saw out of the All-Stars, the moments where we every player on the track was just playing the game with such skill, technique and grace; for that I account the victory despite the score. This bout was a heck of a learning experience for me and I am sure many times over for the skaters.

Big ups go out to Slambassador for winning best blocker during the first bout; and Halochic during the All-Star bout. I must say special thank you to both Ivanna Destroya and Professor Booty for being concerned with my well being on my trip back (I made it safe!). Mad props to Gonnolea, just cuz she freakin rules! And last but not least Magic Lee Malicious for all her wonderful company and conversation there and back!

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