April Skater of the Month: Maniac Jack

Maniac Jack has been with the Dire Skates since the beginning! A blocker, and jammer, Maniac is a powerful force on the track.

I mean, have you seen her skate?

And those shoulders?!

Maniac skates hard and hits harder, not only using herself to hit our opponents, but even throwing her teammates at the other players. No one forgets the first time they get hit by Maniac Jack.

Maniac easily gets her head into the game and works to ensure her teammates are focused alongside her. Though she is also well-known for stacking up penalties--the "jack in the box" is a common sight at our games. Even then she still has a smile on her face!

Maniac is a powerful asset to our team, not only because of her abilities, but because she is an amazing derby sister. She even tried to retire after last season, but we would not let her because we just love her too much!


Coach, The GolfFather, had this to say about Maniac:

What an amazing person Maniac Jack is. She is hard working, busy mom of two very active and athletic kids. Jack is very athletic herself and a very good skater. She has played anywhere we have put her on the track. Blocker, no problem, Pivot, sure, Jammer, "are you sure?", “Yes, Jack, go jam and score some points.” She is most famous probably for Hurtz McGroin’s saying “Jack in the Box” everytime she gets a penalty. Wonder if they would sponsor our penalty box?
She almost retired after last season and I am glad we had all those fans in supporting the “one more year.” I am glad that she is back for 2015 and hopefully beyond. What do you say, Jack?
I have known jack for about 4.5 years now and I am honored to coach a great player, teammate, mom, person, but most of all a great friend!

DJ SMear-O added this:

I love Maniac's glorious powerful ass. It knocks everyone around. It clears holes for me on the track. It looks perfect and round and strong in her shorts. I catch myself in a Maniac Jack booty trance. She may not like her fabulous bottom, but that beautiful badass babe has been busting her bodacious buns for me and everyone else on this team since we became a team. She is a bounty of butt and a force to be reckoned with. I love Maniac Jack. Skating with her has and always will be a pleasure.

RollHer Zombie had this to say about her derby sister:

Maniac Jack, 765, homegrown crazy. I remember drinking wine in her kitchen many moons ago and trying to come up with her tag line. That is just one of many great times we have shared since the very start of the team. Besides my other wife, CA is probably who I have played derby with the most since the team started. I am lucky to not only call her my sister, but one of my dearest, closest friends, who has been there for me through my darkest moments. Manic and I both can say derby saved our souls; Not only for the physical outlet and chance to break down barriers that society puts females in, but the true friendship and love that comes from such an amazing dynamic of women. Some people are reluctant to get to know her, because I think they are intimidated by those big shoulders, lethal hips, and sometimes big mouth. ;) I know under that awesomely brutal persona and seemingly effortless derby ability, she is quite simply amazing. I know she has thought of retirement, but honestly I can't imagine our team without her and I am not looking forward to that day. Mad love for you Maniac.
<3 RollHer Zombie

Maniac Jack photo gallery:

Thanks for all you do, Maniac!

December Skater of the Month: Lish D Lish

Alicia, or Lish D Lish, is a jammer for the Dire Skates. Lish has been with the team for four years-- her dedication to the team evidenced by her time with the team and her amazing performance every time she hits the track.


Lish is one of our star jammers and one of our most recognizable players not only because of her seemingly natural ability as a skater and jammer, but because of her her obvious love of the game. She is always willing to take pictures with her fans after the game, showing off the smile that rarely seems to leave her face.


If you were at our game against A-Town on November 15th, you saw all of this in action. Lish played her heart out just as she always does!


Instead of telling you about her skills, I will let others explain how valuable she is to the team.




Our coach, the Golfather, had to this to say:

Alicia, or, as everyone in the local derby community knows her as, Lish D Lish is a great skater and is improving every time that she laces up her skates. She listens well and takes what us coaches tell her to heart. For those who were at the November game, Lish probably played her best overall game. We had to control her emotions a few times, but that just shows that she has the heart for the game and wants to do her best. She has also had to overcome a few injuries. With a few added tools to her game she could be a huge threat on the jammer line for us.

Stubborn Itch, Lish's derby wife said this:

What can I say? If some of you didn't know, Lish is my derby wife and always will be no matter what. Not only my derby wife but, dancing partner, close friend, and side kick. When Lish first came to the team, I remember her try-outs were very impressive! You could tell she was a skater! During try-outs she didn't show any shyness. It was all confidence and determination. She is a people-person, dedicated, very tough, and a confident woman. Lish is always wearing a smile even on her worst days. I knew we would hit it off because she has those outbursts sometimes. That told me she is as real as real can get. No cover up on who she is really is. Her skating skills have always been extremely excellent, but if you know derby, we all know that derby is a different style from casual skating. With that being said, since on the team Lish's skating skills have gotten even better. I will let you all in on a little secret that even Lish didn't know. Lots of us know how ridiculously fast Lish is. Well, being able to skate with her on the track during practices has helped me achieve a goal that I set for myself. I set the goal that I would be as fast as her one day! Not sure that I have completely accomplished her speed yet, but I have achieved it to the point I am happy with myself and she is all the one to thank for that. So I personally want to thank her for that! Lots of people and new skaters look up to her for her skating skills, dedication, determination, toughness, confidence, and always wearing a beautiful smile on her face. Congratulations on working hard enough to get noticed to be the team's skater of the month!

I'm so very proud of you and keep up the good work! I love you!

Shelby, Lish's sister, added this:

I am proud of Alicia. She has came so far in her skating career. She is the Michael Jordan of this game. It is amazing being a twin with Alicia because together we can do anything. There have been many times when Alicia's fans have come up to me asking for an autograph. I smile and tell them "I am not Alicia, but I will tell her you said hi." The street goes both ways people come up to Alicia and able her about fixing automobiles and riding a motorcycle. She kindly apologizes and says, "No, I am not Shelby, but I will tell her you said hi." I am proud of Alicia and I believe that the rest of the family is also. Keep it up, Alicia.!

Maniac Jack, added this about her derby sister:

jam skating might be her groove, but she has fast moves on the flat track. Over the years of skating with Lish one things comes to mind: she always has a smile on her face. And she is one hell of a jammer. Okay, that was two. There is more--Lish might be little, but she is mighty. Even in practice she will take a beating and come back for more. To end this I have to say I have never been more excited than when I saw her hip check the other jammer during our last bout. Thanks for being my teammate and derby sister!

Here are a few photos from our bout against A-Town that show Lish in action, but you can check out more photos here:

Thanks for all you do, Lish!