The Skully Award, December 2017

SFV Roller Derby would be nothing without our hardworking officials, both our onskates Referees and our dedicated Non-Skating Officials. Throughout the year, the Training Team would like to honor an official in recognition of their contribution to the league. 

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Honoring KILLher LIZARD QUEEN

How did you decide on your derby name?
It's kind of a mash-up of my nickname and my favorite musicians. My nickname is "Killer", then my favorite artists are Jim Morrison from The Doors and Freddie Mercury from Queen. Jim Morrison was known as the "Lizard King" but to make it fair to Mr. Mercury, it became Lizard Queen.

How did you get started as an official? 
After I started derby, the trainers mentioned that NSOing would help us understand the sport. Honestly, it has helped me out very much in understanding gameplay and rules.

Something you wished skaters knew or realized?
Roller derby is not easy. You must be patient as hell to understand both the skills and the rules! Be open minded!

When you're not on the track, where can we find you?
1) At my job, 2) Sleeping, or 3) Drinking with Ramona Plowers 

December 2017 Skater of the Month

Photo By Vegas Shooter

REBELLIOUS MOOSE #64

Moose has been my nickname since middle school. I wanted to keep this name for roller derby since I was already accustomed to responding to it. "Rebellious" is just me being punk-rock.

I am a blocker and occasional pivot. Lately, I have been trying to learn new moves and get out of my comfort zone in order to reach my next derby goal: to make it on Team México for the Roller Derby World Cup next year. It's all I've been thinking about and I want to represent my parents' home country.

I'm inspired seeing everyone's progress on the track. I get so jolly when I see people trying new things then mastering them, whether they're Freshies or OMGs!

My favorite derby memory is the first time I heard the jammer say the words, "Someone, sit on Moose!" It was the first time I ever felt like I was actually playing roller derby effectively.

November 2017 Skater of the Month

Tell us about your name
I used to go by Tankgrrrl. I changed it because I didn't feel like the name fit me anymore. I like to think that I've grown as a person and a skater, so the change just felt right. I was driving back from practice one night, listening to Lana Del Rey's album Born to Die, and the name just popped into my head.

What are your derby goals?
My goals are to be on a WFTDA charter team and play derby in another country.

Who/what inspires you on the track?
My skate mentors, TerribleTues and Michael, both put so much time and effort into teaching me, so I really just want to make them proud. When I started this whole derby thing, it took me weeks before I could even stand on my skates for more than a few seconds. As tiring as I know it was to watch, they never gave up on me. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
After tryouts earlier this year, I felt like a failure. My goal was to make it to the Wipeouts, but I honestly thought I was going to be booted from the subpool completely. Then I got the notice a few days later that I made my goal! I made Wipeout!! I was super jazzed about it, then, a week later, I broke my arm and couldn't skate. So it was a rocky start to the year, to say the least.

Since then, I have played in more games than I think I ever have before, made awesome and amazing friends, reached countless goals I had set for myself, and even played in a tournament on the other side of the country. I've played for several teams and leagues since I started skating and never have I felt more part of a team, or more at home, than with the Wipeouts.

LANA DEL DEATHRAY
#95

Photo by Down'n'Out Photography

October 2017 Skater of the Month

Photo by Chuck Gay Photography

XENA WARRIOR SKATRESS
#24

Tell us about your name.
I really wanted a name that evoked a sense of strength and confidence. I happened to be scrolling through Hulu and saw Xena, and I knew instantly that it was meant to be. Xena is the strong, independent badass that I strive to be! But I still binged it for a week, just to be sure. 

What position do you play?
Primarily blocking. I love to jam, but I am not particularly great at it. Yet. 

What are your derby goals?
Getting back on the track healthy and learning some fancy footwork from my amazing teammates.

Who inspires you on the track?
My trainers have really been my greatest inspiration. Derp, Dovah, Slam, Moose, and HardLee have pushed and supported me and always make me feel like I can do this. Let’s be honest, roller derby is hard and scary as hell. Having people behind you who take the time to help you with skills and who get you out of your head is amazing. I couldn’t have gotten this far without them.

What is your favorite derby memory?
My first Freshie Bout -- The Super Smash Sisters versus The Street Fight-Hers. I surprised myself with some of the fancy moves I pulled, especially while jamming (I even scored points!). My family and friends showed up to support me and were the best cheering section I could ask for. And then my team won! I was on a high for days because I finally felt like roller derby was something I could do and maybe even be good at.

September 2017 Skater of the Month

MISFORTUNE COOKIE
#247

Tell us about your name.
My profession leaves me with zero ounce of creativity so I used one of my three lifelines and Called A Friend. All the credit belongs to her for my derby name. 

What position do you play? What are your derby goals? 
I'm a blocker. It is such a dynamic position. You have to know where everyone is and try to anticipate where the jammer is heading to cut her off at the pass and simultaneously know where your jammer is and determine if and when help is needed. It really is all about timing. And it's fun to hit your friends and laugh about it. I'm working towards being a pivot because it requires so much mental agility, switching from defense to offense at the drop of a dime. I really just want to be a jammer's worst nightmare. 

Who inspires you on the track? 
Earlier this year, I was getting discouraged with derby and with having suffered an injury early in the season. I came back to derby a couple of months ago and ever since making the Wipe Outs, Derp has helped to reinvigorate my love of derby. Her leadership and care has really brought me back to center. I couldn't have wished for a better team Captain.  

What is your favorite derby memory? 
So many memories that brings a smile to my RBF. The one that stand out the most has to be when I passed my laps during WFTDA assessments. The weeks leading up to it, I had fallen at least once during my laps like clockwork. This weighed on my mind as I was skating those dreaded 5 minutes. But in the end, I finished my laps and DIDN'T fall! It was amazing. Playing with the Ghoul Scouts in one of the Freshie bouts showed me the love the derby community has for each other. My teammates were amazing. The coaches (Stockholm and Maya) were nurturing yet knowing when to push each and every one of us. Oh and winning in the last jam by 3 points didn't hurt either! I can't wait to add more wonderful memories as I continue my derby journey.

The Skully Award, August 2017

SFV Roller Derby would be nothing without our hardworking officials, both our onskates Referees and our dedicated Non-Skating Officials. Throughout the year, the Training Team would like to honor an official in recognition of their contribution to the league. 

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HONORING Sammi Smacky-yao

I decided to start officiating to learn the sport as a whole. I didn't have much roller derby knowledge before joining the league and it seemed like the perfect way to learn. I started to dabble in the NSOing my first few months and dove into reffing immediately after that, thanks to the help and encouragement of the Ref Neck crew. 

Inspiration comes in waves to me. One day it's my family, the next it could be an OMG, a ref, or even a trainer/coach. I've probably found inspiration from just about every leaguemate. I see you, putting in work. 

I'm sure skaters realize reffin' ain't easy. However, I want to encourage more people to come on out to try it. It's fun and the best seat in the house. 

When I'm not on the track I'm working REALLY far away. So my time with my family and my derby sisters is really valuable to me.

July 2017 Skater of the Month

MELEE CURIE
#245

Tell us about your name
My name is a tribute to the physicist/chemist Marie Curie. I'm a high school special-ed teacher and all areas of science intrigue me. The Melee part is a nod to how I feel derby is played — a melee attack in very close quarters is a confused and quick fight. That about sums up my time on the track, usually. 

What are your derby goals?
To meet some badass witches and then knock them down. 

What inspires you on the track?
All the amazing strong women around me are inspiring. But mostly I just want to be a better me. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
I will always remember my first freshie bout. I had no idea what I was doing and I was completely terrified, but it was probably the best thing I've ever done. 

June 2017 Skater of the Month

Tell us about your name.
I bake all sorts of cakes and 350 is the temperature you bake them.

What position do you play? 
I’m currently a proud blocker! I’m working toward being a great pivot, just so I can get in a little bit of jamming, too.  

Who inspires you on the track?
Kat Von Reap turned me onto derby. She worked with my husband and I came to see her play. It was so cool. But I thought I was too old and too big to play, so it took me two years before I went to my First Date. I have not looked back since. 

What is your favorite derby memory?
The night I passed my WFTDA skills and got drafted to the Van Nuys Valkyries! It took three tries to get home team cleared and I passed with the greatest group of gals — Night Fury, Meowzig, Iceboxx, Lucid Venus, Slick Trick, and Sigourney Cleaver. I’m so proud to be a part of this amazing league and hope to have many more memories!

FUDGINCAKEDOFF
#350