Vet Profile: Broad of War

Editor's note: As you may have seen on our Facebook page, Broad has returned to the Dire Skates and we couldn't be more excited to have her back on the track!

Name: Broad of War or you can call me Broad 

Number: 510 

Position: Blocker 

Signature move: Wrecking Ball! 

Tell us about your non-derby self: I have a non-derby self? Pfft, I eat dream and… well let’s just say I’m all about the derby life. 

Why did you join roller derby?: I want to develop a stronger sense of self, make friends, and earn a few well-deserved bruises. 

What is your favorite part of roller derby?: I get to rough up people and not get in trouble. 

What are your roller derby goals?: Building endurance is really important and strengthening my hits so they are destructive! 

What do you hope Dire Skates can do for Richmond?: I hope it can give woman (and men) a place to step out of the norm and be comfortable in their skin knowing they are strong beautiful and a force to be reckoned with. 

What are you skating on right now?: Well my feet--they usually do pretty well, but I like to stick those pups in my Crazy Skates. 

If you could skate anywhere, anytime, where and when would it be and why?: Whenever I’m out rolling around I imagine myself in Cali next to the beach. Maybe during the sunset. Sounds nice don’t ya think? 

If you could have any famous person alive or dead join Dire Skates, who would it be and why? Uhh, I’m not sure it would make a difference as long as they can take a hit. 

Tell us one thing you want us to know about yourself: I’m scared I’m going to get injured and not be able to be a part of derby any more. 

Tell us one thing about another skater: I couldn’t pick just one skater because everyone has a skill that I envy--that’s what makes us a great team. We all come together to create a whole that is stronger together than apart. You have the skaters who their strength is speed; we need them to get our points. We have women whose strength is well, strength- they knock down all the bullies from the other teams and protect us. We all need each other to reach a common goal.

You used skate with the team before; what made you want to come back?: I have always enjoyed competitive sports, but there is something extremely personal about derby that really has pulled me in. It is coming to practice and being tired from the day and still pulling on your gear, lacing up your skates and giving a 110% for your team and yourself. It's watching the improvement you make after dedicating yourself to the hard work it takes to prevail in derby. It's challenging and frustrating at times, but it's totally worth it. That moment you connect with an opposing skater and you knock her down! It's the feeling of personal strength; overcoming your physical fatigue and the pain of the hits and the falls to reach a win--even if the score board doesn't agree, everyone walks away a winner if they have given it everything they have.

April Skater of the Month: DJ Smear-O

DJ Smear-O, or Jessica Leigh as she is also known, is a jammer and blocker for the Dire Skates who has been with the team for three years. Since her first bout in October 2011, Smear-O has been a strong player, but she also has a strong, outgoing personality. Her tiny frame packs a punch and if she hits you, you'll feel (and see) the results for quite some time afterward. Smear-O communicates with us constantly while on the track, helping us become better players and boosting morale with her antics. She also helps with marketing and makes super-rad radio spots for the team while also helping get us bout-ready in many other ways. In addition to her skill as a player, Smear-O's sense of humor and personality are a big part of what makes her a unique and valuable member of our team. At any given practice (in addition to bruises) we get poop jokes, Star Wars references, and I am pretty sure she never stops talking about food.

Smear-O also has an adorable family. Look at that face--and she isn't even the cutest one of the bunch! But really beyond derby, Smear-O is dedicated to her family. This dedication spills over into her derby family as seen in her passion for the game and for her derby sisters.


Here is what our coach, The Golffather, had to say about Smear-O:

"Jess, or Smear-O as we all know her, has become a versatile player on the team. She  was mostly a jammer when I started but has become a double threat with her blocking abilities. She is a fun player to coach and is always wanting to learn; sometimes she might not like what I have to say, but she takes it in stride and grows with it. She is amazing with what she does behind the scenes as well that no one sees except us with the team. Being a radio DJ she is a great communicator and every team needs a few of those. She is a great family person and I for one am glad the she is part of this derby family."

GOREgon also had this to say:

The first time I met DJ Smear-O was when I, as a fresh meat skater, went to the team photoshoot. She had on these crazy awesome custom made Chuck Taylors that had her derby name embroidered on them and were in the team colors. She was also really, really funny and warm. Since then, I have really loved being around her and learning things from her as well as building camaraderie with her."

Dave Snow, aka Dire Skates team announcer Hurtz McGroin, added this:

Jessica A.K.A. DJ Smear-O is a lot of fight in a small package. There is an old saying that applies very well to her. It says: "Never measure your opponent by their size, their strength, or their speed. Only measure your opponent by the opposition it takes to discourage them." She will never back down or give up. Actually, she somehow takes a big challenge, and turns it into motivation. Her best weapon is that smile. If you fall for that, you're already dead (you just don't know it yet.)

Thank you for all you do, Smear-O!

Derby love!

Vet Profile: Stubborn Itch

Name: Stubborn Itch

Number: 1019 

Position: Jammer and Blocker, but mostly a Jammer.

Signature Move: I guess power pushing my opponents forward or skating really fast.

Tell us about your non derby self: I work at Whirlpool in the paint department and paint the blenders or mixers that might sit on your counter. I have one child who is my world and I live in Piqua, Ohio with my very supporting boyfriend and two German Shepherds. If I'm not doing roller derby I'm working and coming home to spend the rest of my day with our two girls (dogs) and Bryan. When it's nice out I like to cook on the grill.

Why did you join roller derby?: I was playing softball with a girl who was once on the team and she convinced me to come and try out. When I was younger I used to go to the skate all the time and always got in the races, but just casually skating and derby skating are way two different things. But yeah, when I use to skate at my younger ages I was a pretty good skater then.

What is your favorite part of roller derby?: The exercise, muscle, and endurance that I have gained from this sport. I also have gained a lot of friends during the 4 years I have been doing this and that's really important. Most of all my dad passed away in December of 2012 and he was so proud of the fact he had a daughter in roller derby. So now when I skate I always have him on my mind and tell myself I have so skate for him as if he is watching from above, rooting me on. I skate the way I do because I was always taught by him to always do my best and never give up. That's why I push myself to be a better skater each time I skate. 

What is your roller derby goal: I have several goals. I don't pick out all the good I have done after each match. I try to pick out all the things I did wrong so I can set those as my goals and try to conquer those goals just to make more to conquer. I have tried to make my name and number known to the crowd and to other teams that we may play. Anyhow, I feel I'm constantly setting goals to better myself as a team player and an individual skater. 

What do you hope The Dire Skates can do for Richmond?: I hope we can show people what all Richmond really does have to offer and that there are still good things that do happen for those whom are not so fortunate. I hope we can also as a team give back to the community and help in any way that we can.

What are you skating on right now?: The flooring that we skate on is two totally different floors. One has me using the hardest wheels I have in my derby bag which I think are 93's which means it's a very nice sticky floor. The other floor has me skating with my Poison 88's, which means it's a very slick floor and I need stickier wheels to get some grip. My skates that I have are Vanilla's.

If you could skate anywhere, where would it be and why?: On a regular basis outside of practices and matches I would like to skate outside and around town. I have a dog that learns trick and is easily to train that my goal is to eventually to train her to pull or walk with me while I skate around town. Skating outside gives you great practice as far as being able to stay on your skates and balance. Those rocks can be very tricky sometimes! As far as some famous place I really don't have a particular place because I love to skate and I don't care where it is.

If you could have a famous person skate for Dire who would it be and why?: I would want it to be PINK the singer! she just looks as if she would be one tough skater and she seems as if she isn't afraid to go out of her comfort zone. I think she would be a fun person to hang with and skate with. Plus she could sing to us while we skate! lol! 

Tell us one thing you want us to know about you: I am a hard shell on the outside, but I have a heart of gold on the inside. I will always go out of my way to do anything for animals and children. I use to work with Autistic, Downs, and Multiple Disability children for 3 years. And I spoil my dogs like they are my children. Oh, and I'm really dedicated to my team because I drive and hour to go to practices and an hour back so that is a two hour round trip. I do what I need to do for my team! 

Tell us one thing about another skater: Lish D Lish is the true meaning of a strong woman and not to mention I'm glad to call her my derby wife!