Derby Unicorn Spotlight: Mr. BadAZZ

Editor's note: Roller derby requires more than just the players on the track. It requires NSOs, referees, coaches, people to set up, volunteers to run the tables, food vendors, and on and on. This is why we are starting a new feature showcasing the people who work behind the scenes to help bring you Richmond's Derby Little Secret.

Mr. BadAZZ, or Tony, is the assistant coach of the Dire Skates (or as we affectionately refer to him: Ass. Coach). Tony has been with the team for two years. He helps run practices, referees scrimmages, runs drills with us as a skater, and bench coaches during our games, among countless other duties.

Tony is only one part of Dire's BadAZZ clan, which also features BadAZZ MotherCutter, Baby BadAZZ, and BadAZZ Brat.

Tony not only helps physically with drills and practices, but he also provides support as a coach and friend. Tony does a great job of providing positive support and constructive criticism, always helping us improve our game individually and as a team.

Tony is one of Dire's biggest fans, too--if you ever see him out and about it's likely that he will be sporting Dire attire.


Terahrizen, team trainer, and skater for the Dire Skates says:

Organization and knowing who works best together and who to to put against certain walls is huge, and its a lot for one person to do. Having  a bench coach has really put the Dire Skates in motion for many improvements. Tony is a particularly valuable piece because he takes the time to get to know us all personally and really has an eye for detail and a passion for derby. I trust him (and Coach) to keep an eye on me while I'm on the track and listen for their instructions.

BadAZZ MotherCutter, Mr. BadAZZ's wife, said this:

Hmmm....what to say.  Mr. BadAZZ is an athlete in every aspect of the word.  Mr. Competitive. He strives to make me a better player. Tony wants to help build Dire into a better, stronger team. I love the fact that we can make roller derby a family event.  We enjoy every activity we do together and this is just one facet of what we call Team Tenney.  He loves to cheer for our team and he applies his sports knowledge in everything we do.  He is a very positive person, very encouraging.  He wants to be supportive of all of us as a team. I appreciate everything he does.

The GolfFather, the other half of the Dire Skates' coaching staff, said this:

Man, what an addition to have Tony or Mr. Bad Azz to the coaching staff. He is instrumental on keeping the bench in order during games, so I can focus on the track. He gets in scrimmages with the ladies and brings a different dynamic because if they can hold him back or knock him out of the way can do it to most anyone. I appreciate everything he does on and off the track. Thank you for being a great coach and a great friend.

Mr. BadAZZ photo gallery:

Bench coach

Promotional photo shoot

With Smack Widow

Mr. BadAZZ and his wife BadAZZ MotherCutter

Thanks for all you do, Ass. Coach!

January Skater of the Month: enTRUdir

Editor's note: This is a new feature! We'd like to honor a Dire Skates member each month in order to show all the behind the scenes and on the track effort the players put in. As we have previously written about, derby takes a lot of effort and a lot of DIY and sometimes the unicorns are actually members of the team. Look for a new "Skater of the Month" early each month!

enTRUdir, aka Trudi, blocks for the Dire Skates. Trudi tried out for the Dire Skates in January 31, 2010 (which was only the third meeting/practice for the team in the first round of tryouts for the team ever) after watching Naptown play the night prior in a bout called "Scar Wars." She is now our fearless leader, the glue that holds us together

enTRUdir is the official convener for the team, meaning she coordinates meetings and votes and makes sure we all do our jobs. She is basically a goddess. (Have you tried wrangling 20+ women into doing something? Not easy.) She has also been a fabulous mentor to us new skaters, constantly talking with us on the track and off during practice to help us grow as skaters. Trudi is level-headed, and serves as a great mediator. She records videos to recap our meetings to make sure we all know what is happening (because notes...who reads things? Wait...). And she reminds us that we can't cuss or be vulgar around the junior skaters...as much as we hate that, we know she is right. You know what, Trudi does so much that I don't even know what else she contributes (coordinating, logos, merch decisions...she's involved in all of it). enTRUdir is an invaluable member of the team and for that, we love her.

In addition to this, she works full time and is the mother to junior skater PUKE Skywalker who, I must say, has some big shoes to fill.

Here is what our coach, The Golffather, had to say about enTRUdir:

"Trudi…..what can I say about Trudi….she is one of the most thoughtful hard working people for the team. A lot of what she does in the background and doesn’t get seen directly, but you definitely see it indirectly. She is a quiet leader and is always willing to get out of her of her comfort zone on the track. She is always willing to help others. She doesn’t look to be in the limelight, she doesn’t want it. I am glad that I can say that I coach her, but even more, I call her a friend."

And Emily KickNsuM added this:

"Trudi is one of the older members and on the team and I don’t mean age, I mean the length of time she has spent with the team. Trudi has always pushed the team to hold to higher values and be a positive influence in our community. Her values off the track are very much the same on the track. Though she might not be the fastest skater on the team or have the hardest hit, Trudi is a solid blocker for the Dire Skates. More importantly she uses team work, knowledge, and communication on the track to get even more accomplished than big hits. I have several special memories of Trudi--one of which includes that we both went to the first Dire Skates tryouts and tried out together. To sum up the memory, she has come a long way from a girl in blue jeans with brown clown rental skates on."

Thank you for all you do, enTRudir.

Derby love.

Did you know unicorns are real?

Something really great about any derby team is that it is run by the derby team. Makes sense, right? But wait.

I have a question for you: have you ever wanted to be a unicorn? Okay. Hang on.

This will make sense eventually. I hope.

Anyway, derby teams do everything: raise funds for the team, make fliers, set up the event before bouts (metal folding chairs!), marketing...all while still making time to practice to actually PLAY derby. Did I mention that us derby girls pay to play? We make nothing from this and, in fact, have to pay for equipment and practice space, but we do it because we love it.

Julia Sleazer (a person I do not know, but who seems great!) puts all of this eloquently in her blog It's Late and I'm Tired. 

But I will attempt to explain the idea somewhat here:

I should clarify my earlier point. It's not just the derby team that does it all: unicorns are the mystical beasts who make derby happen. Our players, fans, former players, supporters, family, and friends all play a part. We couldn't do it without you, unicorns!

Joe Mama--long time Dire Skates supporter and cheese expert

For those of you already doing your part, THANK YOU!

If you feel compelled to become a unicorn, contact us or chat with us at our next bout (December 8th!) and find out how you can help support local derby.

Much love,

Bilbo Stabbins