Denver Roller Dolls

March 2010: Minimum Rage

This month's featured skater is Minimum Rage, head of our Sponsorship committee for 2010. Minimum Rage, affectionately known as "Meaner" in the league, transferred from the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls in 2009. Meaner is also one of the newest members on both our travel teams: the Mile High Club and Bruising Altitude. Read below to find out about Meaner's thoughts on DRD's partnership with Kroenke Sports and AEG Live, how she feels about joining MHC, the similarities between roller derby and soccer, and more!

You are a wife and a mother to a young child, along with having one of the longest commutes to practice. How do you do it all?//

I have to admit, there are days I do it well and days I don't do it so well. I think the trick is giving yourself permission to know that every day doesn't have to be perfect, and that life is a balancing act. If, in the end, my daughter understands the importance of taking care of one's self - I've done my job.

What initially interested you about roller derby, and what now keeps you coming back for more?//

After playing soccer in college, I was really missing the team competitive environment. I grew up playing competitive soccer and always had a group of strong, intelligent, caring women around me. I missed that, and on a dare from my boyfriend, tried out in order to prove to him I wasn't a wimp, and to prove to myself that I could find a group of amazing women again. Now, I am addicted.

As you mention, you used to play semi-professional soccer. How does roller derby compare to that? //

There is actually a lot of similarity between soccer and roller derby from a strategy perspective. In soccer, the game is all about triangles, and creating space in one area to distract your opponent from another space opening up on the other side of the field. Roller derby is very similar in that sometimes the space you are going to create by movement is more important than the space you are occupying. In both sports, you need to think - what will happen 3 moves from now, and react to that movement.

You just got onto MHC (the league's All Star team). How does that feel, and what are your hopes for the coming season?//

Honestly, my hopes are to continue to grow as a skater by participating in MHC's grueling practices. There is nothing more satisfying than leaving the track fully exhausted and fulfilled.

You are the new head of Sponsorship for DRD. Anything exciting going on there?//

The entire sponsorship process for 2010 has been extremely gratifying. Not only do I have an amazing sponsorship team to support the work, but we have some new sponsors coming on board. Look for some amazing fan schwag to accompany us in our new venue!

What are your thoughts about DRD's move to the 1STBANK Center?//

I think that the sport of roller derby is writing a new chapter in its history. The move to such an amazing family friendly venue with the support and partnership with AEG and Kroenke Sports makes this not only exciting for the Denver Roller Dolls, but is an exciting validation for all of roller derby that our hard work means something.

Which are the roller derby skaters that you look up to the most?//

Within DRD, I look up to Jessica "Bea Ware" Rivas for her amazing grace both on and off track. I also look up to Monica "LynnSane" Carson for her fantastic spine arranging hits and her "can do" attitude that permeates her whole person. Outside of DRD, I look up to Beyonslay from the Gotham Girls Roller Derby league. She is a great role model to many skaters, and supports the notion that even us girls who aren't a size 6 can still skate derby and hang with the best of them.

Read the rest of Minimum Rage's bio here: http://www.denverrollerdolls.org/skaters/bio/minimum-rage