Is SCAR for Me?

I recently passed my level ones. I still have a lot of work to do, but I’m getting there. I can do things I never thought I would be able to do. It’s safe to say I was one of the worst—if not the worst—skaters in our class when we started. I had no balance, no strength in my legs. I was a runner, but those muscles didn’t do what I needed them to in skates. In just a few weeks that has changed drastically. My strength has greatly improved. I can see and feel the changes in my leg muscles. I can cross over, I can skate on one foot (I could barely stand on one foot in September), and I can carry things at work I could never lift before. I feel like an athlete again.

And even more than that, for me, I’m having fun. I’m doing something. I’ve found a way to make this town not just bearable for me, but enjoyable. I’m on committees, I’m volunteering. I practice twice a week, and I work the merch tables at bouts since I’m not cleared to skate them yet. I go to after parties, I go out for drinks and dinner with teammates. I come home from really successful practices to find encouraging Facebook messages sent to me from teammates. I’m once again at a point in my life where I am surrounded by strong, intelligent, entertaining women. I’m making friends, I’m getting involved.

Scars at the Penn State Homecoming Parade

It’s been such an incredible experience. Over holiday weeks, Facebook statuses filled my newsfeed, girls home for break posting pictures of them skating in the random parking lots they could find, others lamenting the practices that were being missed. We crave it. We crave having wheels on our feet, for time on the track. My childhood was filled with ballet, tap, jazz, basketball, baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, snowboarding, skiing -- I was always active. I always loved being on a team—I loved competing, I loved the game. I never loved an activity so much that I missed it when I wasn’t doing it. I loved the games but I hated having to practice, and that’s not the case here. I’m completely in love with roller derby. And it’s a sport you can keep playing. Derby won’t tell you that you’re too old when you’re in your 30s like most sports do. It doesn’t tell you your body type isn’t right like dancing will.

If you identify as female, if you’re over the age of 18, if you can make two practices a week and pay your dues each month, and most importantly, if you’re willing to work hard and learn, then come to recruitment. Schedule to come watch a practice. If you’re interested at all and you have that little voice in your head that wants you to try it, then do it.

How I Took the Plunge

This is Part 2 of a 3-part series by SCAR Derby's own Samantha Rae-Tuthill, a.k.a. Culta Skara

My coworker directed me to one of SCAR's Non-Skating Officials who also worked with us. She responded to my email inquiry with the contact information for most of the executive board. I got links to the website, as well as a link to the Facebook events for the clinic day and recruitment. It was only a couple of weeks away. I emailed recruitment@scarderby.com and got a response almost immediately with all of the information I needed. I signed up for the clinic and told myself I was going to practice skating and get ready for recruitment.

Only that didn’t happen. I never had the time. I thought about opting out and putting roller derby back in my daydreams where they belonged, but I didn’t. I showed up to the clinic, even though I hadn’t put skates on my feet in at least eight years. And even then I hadn’t skated well; I had no technique or training. I was terrified: I felt shy and nervous and unsure of myself—feelings I was not used to. When I pulled into the parking lot at Penn Skates, I was screaming in my head to turn around and go home. I’m honestly not sure how I dragged myself out of the car.

A Journey on Skates

Photo courtesy of Chuck Fong.

This is Part I of a 3-part series by SCAR Derby's own Samantha Rae-Tuthill, a.k.a. Culta Skara

I first heard about roller derby when I was in middle school. I don’t even remember how; I think there was a show or a documentary on TV about it. I didn’t see the program, but I saw snippets of footage in a commercial one day, and it looked amazing. It became the background dream in my head. Where some people have unrealistic visions of being a college football star whenever they watch their team play on Saturday—even if they’ve never actually played before and are well out of school, or starring in a Hollywood blockbuster—even though they’ve never stepped foot on a stage or in front of a camera, dreams that they know will never actually come true, I daydreamed about life on the track. Because I couldn’t skate. I didn’t even know the rules. I didn’t know anyone who did it. It just never crossed my mind that it would ever be something I could do. When Whip It came out, some of my friends went to see it and I refused to go. I felt bitter. I didn’t want to watch someone, even if that someone was a fictional character, get to start doing something that I couldn’t do...

When They're Not on the Track...

SCARs can often be found in the community -- both the derby community and the local community.


SCAR refs and skaters often travel to help out other leagues. Recently, SCAR Derby helped out with the Susquehanna Valley Derby Vixens' bout against the Jerzey Brigade's Major Pains. And this weekend head ref Brace will travel to ref the Harrisburg Area Roller Derby vs. Dutchland bout.

Last week, SCAR participated in the Parade of Heroes celebrating the 4th of July in our home State College, and this weekend SCAR can be found in the Phillispburg Heritage Days parade, at Boalsburg's People's Choice Festival, at the State College ArtsFest, and at the State College Spikes game.

And finally, SCAR's own Danni Savage, who is the league's director of Creative, makes her talents available to the derby world on occasion as well as overseeing all the talented artists who donate their work for the benefit of SCAR. The logo to the left is the one she devised for Team USA to us ein its upcoming bouts against Team Finland and Team Sweden.

The People Who Make It Happen



The Bash'N LaSassin, Laurel Wrath, and Paige Smith.

 So, we all know about the skaters, right?  And the refs, hopefully? 

Something that's kind of unusual about roller derby is that everyone out there, whether they're on the track or behind the scenes, is a volunteer. 

The skaters pay their own way, and it can be a pretty big economic commitment between gear and rink fees and travel. But the refs and NSOs are also there on their own steam and at their own initiative, and there would be no bouts without them. 

SCAR Derby has some of the best volunteers in the world, bar none.  The photo is of three who traveled with the team to Cortland, NY, last weekend to act as non-skating officials (NSOs)-- which is just one of the ways that SCAR volunteers help the team do what it does.

What is an NSO?  An NSO officiates off-skates -- they facilitate the reporting of scores and penalties, track lineups, make sure that skaters who are in the penalty box stay in the box, and more.  The hardest part of NSOing is acting impartial when your team does something awesome. 

However, SCAR also needs bout staff to run and team staff to run, and even for the bout in Cortland a group of volunteers traveled along to keep things running smoothly.  Those folks shouting at people from the bench are volunteers -- they bench coach and help the team track its lineups.  And did you see the folks at the merchandise table?  They, and the ticket and seating staff, are all volunteers who have given their time to help SCAR operate.  And the EMTs, who patch up our skaters when they get injured?  They're volunteers, too. 

We're always looking for new members at every level -- skaters, refs, and volunteers. If you want to be part of SCAR, we want to find a place where you can be involved.  And if you don't have the time to volunteer, just thank our volunteers.  We literally can't operate without them.

Get to Know: Juana Teaze

Man, I hate farewell tributes. But sadly, SCAR Derby recently had to say goodbye to Juana Teaze, one of the league's most experienced skaters.  After several years with SCAR, Juana has completed her grad degree and moved back to her home state of Oregon.  This week SCAR celebrated/mourned with a series of bar tours.

Juana was one of SCAR's most experienced skaters, having played in Oregon before moving to State College.  She anchored the Great Wall of SCAR as a blocker and featured heavily in SCAR's most effective defensive lineups.

So, without further ado, we share some of the insight, experience, and creativity that made Juana a crucial part of the SCAR lineup. 

Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it?

When I played for the Southern Oregon Roller Girls I played under the name Juana Rumble. Once I moved to SCAR the name had been registered on Two Evils, So I just changed my last name. My Real last name is Patt (with two T’s) and my number is 2tz just I just went with the joke on my name and became Juana Teaze.

Off the track, what kind of work do you do?  Do you have any other hobbies besides roller derby?  

I am a scenic designer for theatre and a props artisan for theatre and film. So I pretty much get to do my hobby for work!

What drew you to roller derby?

The community. I grew up with team sports. It’s an honor to be a part of a community as cool and caring as this one.

What’s one thing that you have learned from Derby that you are able to use in everyday life?

You only get better if you put the heart and the time in to be better.

What SCAR achievements are you most proud of?

How far we’ve come in so little time.

What was your most embarassing SCAR moment?

The Internet isn’t big enough for them all.

What equipment do you use? Skates? Wheels? Protective Gear? Must-Haves?

My heart. Its a must have.

Who supports you in doing roller derby, and what would you say to them?

My family, my Big sis, my friends, my girlfriend, even my Graduate school mentor, he’s our biggest fan. I thank them all!

Any injury stories?

I had a really bad MCL sprain back in September. The story isn’t anything too interesting, but I did pop my knee cap back in an finish the bout.

What question didn’t we ask that you wish we had asked, and what’s the answer?

What is the inner animal that you conjure whilst playing derby? That would be a unicorn!

Get to Know: Cujoh

Photo courtesy of Chuck Fong Studio2

Since we're in a college town, the end of the academic year brings losses as skaters graduate and move on. One such skater is the dear, departed Cujoh. Below is a little about her experience with SCAR, which she will be applying to a new team in Boston.

Off the track, what kind of work do you do? Do you have any other hobbies besides roller derby?

Outside of derby, I am pretty busy with school work. I am at Penn State getting a BA in Film, a BS in Special Education, a M. Ed in Curriculum and Instruction, certification as a Reading Specialist, a minor in Deafness and Hearing Studies, and a minor in Human Development and Family studies. Currently, I am a student teacher and have two part time jobs; one on campus and one at a security company. I like theatre, film making, and DIY/crafty projects.

What drew you to roller derby?

I just wanted to try something new. I saw an ad on Craigslist and showed up, learned to skate, and loved it. It was a great way to get exercise, plus, its always fun to get to hit people.


What achievements are you most proud of?

Learning to play and skate. I came into this sport having never skated before. The first time I put skates on was at open recruitment for SCAR a year and a half ago. I could barely move off of the wall and within five months I skated in my first bout. While I still have a lot to learn, I am very proud of the progress I have made within such a short time.


What is your athletic background?

I would make the team but was always the fat kid that slowed down the "fun run" pace. I played a bunch of sports all throughout childhood, including soccer and lacrosse for about 10 years each.


What would you tell a person who is thinking about coming to a SCAR Bout/trying out to ref or skate for SCAR/volunteering with SCAR?

Do it. Just try it. Its not for everyone, but it is definitely a new endeavor that you should experience if you can. Nothing I have done before has been similar to Roller Derby and you can't really get the full idea of what it is like without doing it (even if you watched Whip It).   

Scar vs. Skyland -- A Quick Recap

Saturday dawned, sunny and hot, with Skyland rolling in from New Jersey for a rematch against the Happy Valley Dolls. Last time the two teams battled, SCAR Derby prevailed -- but would this be the case this time around?

Early on, it appeared that SCAR would dominate. Plunder Woman, in her hometown debut, racked up 20- and 14-point power jams, while Skyland struggled to find its footing. Mae B. Nasty and Hell's Mels also added points, to place SCAR ahead of Skyland for much of the first period.

However, an epic 19-point power jam late in the first period by Tiger Munition was followed by a 12-point power jam by guest Skylander Veronika Gettsburger, and the tide began to turn. Dogged by penalties, SCAR began to slip behind. At the half, Skyland led 125-77.

The second period, always exciting, never saw SCAR entirely catch up. Penalties continued to be a challenge, as SCAR spent much of the second period defending with partial blocking lines. However, successful jams resulted in additional points for SCAR by Miss Tart, The Partygirl Accelerator, Hell's Mels, and Mae B. Nasty. Injuries were sustained by both SCAR and Skyland, additionally thinning the ranks.

The period culminated in two tense jams, in which neither team was able to make more than one scoring pass. On the final jam, however, Skyland's Superstitches was able to pull of an exhilirating star pass, giving Skyland a final burst of 23 points.

Final result? Skyland 250, SCAR 125.

Tart, Not Sweet

And last, but not least, she's like a Warhead -- seems sweet, but she's incredibly tart.  Ask her for an autograph, and you'll get a shy smile, but ask for a scoring pass and you'll find yourself on the ground. 

Also known as "Tall Girl," Miss Tart has battled through injuries and illnesses to make her Dolls debut this Saturday.  An all-around player who can jam as well as she blocks, Miss Tart has the magical ability to be a one-woman wall or slip through the tiniest of cracks in a line to put up points on behalf of her beloved SCAR Derby.

From Phillispburg-Osceola, Miss Tart has long been a familiar face in the community and at the rink, where she has served as an NSO.  This Saturday marks her debut in the Dolls lineup.

The Hometown Hitter

Hailing from Penn's Valley,  the fearsome Blackout Betty is no stranger to Happy Valley.  You may know her from the local scene, or have seen her at bouts, where she is the Intraleague Coordinator for SCAR Derby and also has served as bench coach for the Happy Valley Dolls on numerous occasions.  However, you've never seen her play at home, as she'll do for the first time this Saturday.

BB is big, aggressive, and unafraid to lay an opponent out.  She's a clean but brutal player, who strikes fear into the hearts of hapless jammers who try to get between her and the inside line.  Look for her to be a crucial part of SCAR's defense, in a three-man wall or sweeping solo.

And in SCAR's Corner...

SCAR Derby doesn't have any special guests for this bout.  But we do have a ton of debuts -- hometown debuts, that is.  First up is Plunder Woman.  You may have seen her NSOing or taking tickets at previous SCAR bouts -- those are the best spots for learning about SCAR and derby, and Plunderina is a quick study.  So quick, in fact, that she got MVP at her first bout a few weeks ago against the Eerie Roller Girls of Erie, PA.  Plunder Woman is fast, tough, and stubborn, and she applies those skills primarily to scoring as much as possible against SCAR's opponents.  She is new, but she is a serious contender.  This Saturday's bout will be her first time in action at the Penn Skates rink.  Don't miss this rising star.                                                                                                                   

Lineup Change!

Just to keep you fans on your toes, this bout includes a few special guests.  Skyland has several guest skaters, which may make predicting the outcome of this contest especially challenging.

 

 

First up is Liberty Violence, who some of you may recognize from the Wilkes Barre-Scranton Roller Radicals. 

From this year's Keystone All-Stars writeup, Liberty was described like so:

Mac Truck coming through. Liberty Violence is power, smarts and strategy all wrapped up in one. She is very accustomed to working with a young team who she often has to coach as the jam proceeds.


Also coming along from Wilkes Barre-Scranton is Veronika Gettsburger, an equally formidable opponent.  From our last matchup at Battle in the Valley:

For the Roller Radicals, [MVP] must go to #81 Veronika Gettsburger; not just for her brute force and awareness, but for her work as a pivot and jammer as well. Burger was a key to this team’s success and probably played in 85% of the jams. She had a strong support system to help her, and she knew how to use it to her advantage.

 

Additionally, we have guest refs!

 

Assay Kicker from the NJ Hellrazors, Broseph Stalin from the Mason-Dixon Roller Vixens, and Verbal Assault and Shearer from Hanover's Black Rose Rollers are rolling into town to help officiate the bout. Thanks, guys!

But Wait -- Guest Skaters for the Mount Nittany Mayhem!

As if the upcoming St. Valentine's Massacre weren't exciting enough with all the abundant SCAR Derby homegrown talent, SCAR Derby is also playing host to a few talented skaters from other leagues who've agreed to share their talent and time with the league and fans.

Not to be outdone by the Pennsyltucky Punishers, the Mount Nittany Mayhem have also recruited their own stable of hard-brawling guest skaters. 

In this corner, for the Mount Nittany Mayhem, we have:
Twisted-Destini, #F8, from the the Nightmares on Main Street of Corry, PA
My Hellody, #42, from the Dutchland Rollers
And Delicate Flower, from Crown City Rollerz in Cortland, NY

Will it be Mayhem on the track?  Or will the girls in green get Punished?  Find out at Saturday's bout at Penn Skates!

In This Corner, Guest Skaters for the Pennsyltucky Punishers!



Bratter Ben RueD



As if the upcoming St. Valentine's Massacre weren't exciting enough with all the abundant SCAR Derby homegrown talent, SCAR Derby is also playing host to a few talented skaters from other leagues who've agreed to share their talent and time with the league and fans.

First up, for the Punishers:

• Sk8grinder,#14, from the the Nightmares on Main Street of Corry, PA
• Skeletal Remains, #5, from the Nightmares on Main Street of Corry, PA
• And Malice in Chains of the BC Rollers of Bimghamton, NY



 We've seen all of these ladies make the differences for their teams in clutch contests -- will they make the difference for the Pennsyltucky Punishers?

Get to Know: Freak Hopper Hedy

Photo courtesy of Chuck Fong at Studio 2.

Freak Hopper Hedy is one of SCAR's longer-term players, joining about 14 months ago when the League was just forming.  Playing for the Happy Valley Dolls, she is also a proud member of the Pennsyltucky Punishers. 

We sat down with her recently, and asked her to tell us more about her strategy, name, and more.

Tell us about your roller derby name, how did you come up with it?  

It’s an homage to Hedy Lamarr. Hedy is best know as an actress of the sliver screen, first gaining notoriety for her role in Ecstasy featuring several nude scenes of the actress -- some of the earliest “full frontals” to be included in a major motion picture.  More importantly, she also invented frequency hopping in the 1940’s -- a method of signal transmission aimed at avoiding detection and jamming by enemy combatants during WWII.  This technology is still used in telecommunications today.  

With a background in computer science and engineering, working in the field of data communications, the name seemed fitting.  Like Roller Derby (and I’d like to think myself) Lamarr embodies a kind of ideal for me – unapologetically mixing roles that are traditionally feminine and masculine.  

Plus, we share the same birthday -- November 9th.

What is your athletic background?

Not really any -- I skated a lot as a kid, then later when roller blades were all the rage, I roller bladed regularly for exercise.  So, I have some skating background, but never really played sports.

Off the track, what kind of work do you do?  

I’m a systems engineer, and sometimes I volunteer at the Adult Education Center.

What is your position while playing/participating, and how do *you* approach it?

Jammer/Blocker.  These are very different positions.  Jamming feels natural to me, like shoving your way through a line; it doesn’t take a lot of thought -- you find the hole and proceed.   Blocking is more cerebral and awkward -- it’s like being in a line, but instead of pushing your way through, you’re deliberately in someone’s personal space, trying to knock them over, holding up the whole line -- not the kind of thing you want to do at the grocery store.

What drew you to roller derby?

I thought it would be good exercise during the winter and I love skating.

What’s one thing that you have learned from Derby that you are able to use in everyday life?

Politics are important.  You look like an idiot when you get pissed off.  … actually, scratch that, I think I learned this before roller derby, but if you haven’t mastered these skills before you get here (or anywhere), you’ll need them.