Big League Chew is known to many derby friends by her lifelong nickname ‘Chewie.’ She has put in plenty of time officiating games in prior seasons, but this year she has been helping with event logistics! Chewie makes a Big League contribution both here at BAD and with another worthy program, Prison University Project, where she teaches math and science at San Quentin Prison. She draws inspiration for her volunteerism from her 100-year-old grandma, the matriarch of her family in Taiwan. For March, we'd like to recognize and thank Big League Chew for all she does!
Photo Credit: Mark Nockleby
If you have a derby name, what is it? What’s the story behind it? : I’ve been called “Chewie” since I was a child because it’s a play on my legal name. “Big League Chew” was suggested by a former housemate as a “formal” derby name.
How long have you been with BAD? What brought you to BAD? : I’ve been with BAD since 2010. I went to a game, thought it was awesome and sent some emails. The rest is history.
When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?: I teach chemistry at local colleges and universities as a paying job. It’s very time consuming, but I enjoy it.
Aside from derby, my other significant hobby is teaching math and science at San Quentin Prison as an instructor for the Prison University Project. This semester, I’m a co-instructor for biology and I am teaching either algebra or geology over the summer.
Outside of those activities, I take yoga classes and I have a subscription to SF Ballet. I’m psyched for Frankenstein (choreographed by Liam Scarlett) next season.
What do you love about roller derby?: The community. It’s why I still help out with BAD, even after retiring from officiating.
Share your favorite derby memory/moment of 2016 (so far).: That feeling of success and achievement after we close a bout.
Your heroines in World history.
My 100-year old grandma. She studied English in college, lived through a number of wars and relocated to Taiwan after our family had to leave Shanghai during the Communist Revolution. To this day, she’ll randomly bring up Jane Austen or Shakespeare in conversation and sasses everybody in my family.
Your favorite food and drink.
I really miss my family’s cooking! It’s one of the downsides of living in California while they’re in Taiwan. My egg rolls will never compare to the my mom’s.
Your favorite heroes/heroines in fiction.
Lizzie Bennet from Pride and Prejudice
If you weren’t doing your current occupation, what would you want to do?
I would probably do something related to dancing or flexibility.