For July, we had two volunteers of the month voted in by our league members! First up . . .

You may have noticed many of our pictures credited to IGP Photo. Stunning images, taken by none other than Adina Butler, have graced the BAD website, posters, programs, and social media numerous times. She has an eye to capture priceless derby moments on and off the track and has been supporting BAD as a photographer, fan, and friend for years.

Photo credit: Unknown (from Adina’s phone)

Name: Adina Butler

How long have you been with B.A.D.? What brought you to B.A.D.?

I just wrapped up my 6th season with B.A.D. at the WFTDA Championship Tournament in St. Paul, MN.

Many years ago, a friend on a photography forum showed off some pics he’d taken at a Windy City bout. I thought they were so cool! About a year after that, I saw a flyer for a BAD bout at the Craneway Pavilion. I decided to go check it out; with my camera in hand, course. I think I got like 3-4 usable shots but I was so stoked I shared them with the league. A month later and i’m on the road to Paso Robles for the 2010 Big One tournament and Jane Hammer asks me if I want to shoot the rest of the season. And now, here we are.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

I’m a trained chef, so when I’m not focusing my energy on photography i’m whipping up something crazy/dangerous in the kitchen.  In addition to being a chef, I’m an amateur track cyclist at the Hellyer Velodrome in San Jose. Track cycling is a bit like roller derby; I go fast, turn left and have to deal with blockers and large packs.

What do you love about roller derby?

What’s not to love about roller derby? I love how inclusive and progressive roller derby is. Whatever your skill set, there’s a way you can contribute and be involved.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

Ugh, so many memories and moments! Watching the growth of the new additions to the All-Stars roster was definitely one of my favorite things this year. Especially seeing Frightmare, Fluezy and Skrappie absolutely kill it at Champs.

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

It doesn’t matter if you get it wrong, as long as you care enough to get it right.

For July, we had two volunteers of the month voted in by our league members! This dedicated volunteer used to be a skating league member . . .

Time and time again, Mae K. Haste has shown her incredible dedication to BAD. When she was a league member, she held the position of co-manager of Events in which she helped orchestrate and make the magic of bout day happen. The amazing quality of our Event production was a direct result of her passion, hard work, and organizational skills. We miss Mae as a skater but thrilled to still have her around as a BAD volunteer and fan!

Photo credit: Lucas Saugen

Name: Mae K. Haste

If you have a derby name what is it & what’s the story behind it?

Mae K. Haste – my middle name is Mae, and I do everything with haste!

How long have you been with B.A.D.? What brought you to B.A.D.?

Since March 2012 – started as a Reckless Roller, and also started officiating around that time.  Discovered Roller Derby in Santa Cruz, and after going to a few bouts there, realized that BAD existed, and started attending bouts in 2010.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

Spending time with family and friends, exploring the Bay Area, snuggling with my corgi.

What do you love about roller derby?

The culture – it’s a world all in its own.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

Watching the Berkeley Resistance win the championship game.  When I first started watching BAD, I was a Resistance fan, so it was fantastic to be able to see them take the win!

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” – Albert Einstein

Yeah, we're still catching up on giving recognition to these rad folks. From August 2015 . . .

Easy Mode was bestowed with his derby name after perfecting his track setup technique while volunteering at BAD games — something he has done consistently since 2013. You’ll find him in the stands at just about every game flashing his enthusiastic smile and chatting up his neighbors about the idiosyncrasies of roller derby strategy. When asked for an inspirational quote, he replied “Carthago delenda est!” We’re not sure why he wants Carthage destroyed, but we are sure that we’re totally inspired to have such rad volunteers. Et tu, Easy Mode?

Photo credit: Shannon Woods

Name: Matthew “Easy Mode” Pecot

If you have a derby name, what is it & what’s the story behind it?

Easy Mode. It took a while for one to stick, about two years I think. I was Amazing Alfredo at Great America for two summers (“Guess your age, weight, or the month you were born!”), but it wasn’t until this season that someone came up with Easy Mode. I’d been helping set up the apex, I think I’d printed out my Excel map at that point, and someone mentioned that it was going really smoothly. Almost like playing on Easy Mode.

Like In-N-Out, the potential for innuendo is just a plus.

How long have you been with B.A.D.? What brought you to B.A.D.?

Just over two years. A friend of mine had come over from [Silicon Valley Roller Girls], and I’d gotten the derby bug watching her play there, finding ways to help with teardown when I could. I followed her to B.A.D, just in time for the second-to-last bout of 2013, at the Oakland Convention Center, I think it was.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

I’m a gamer, which makes sense because that’s my industry, and I’m also a big reader and a wannabe writer. My housemate and I are starting a comics podcast soon, so I live smack in the center of the Geeklands.

If scene tourism is a thing, I definitely do that. Every time I go out to drink with devs, or go to see The Birthday Massacre and Combichrist, I spend the next fifteen hours convinced those are the people and activities I’ll spend the rest of my life with. Warning: Contains dangerous amounts of enthusiasm.

What do you love about roller derby?

Three key things:

– The accessibility of the culture. When I wanted to get involved in roller derby, I volunteered; when I wanted to talk strategy, the other spectators were just as enthusiastic and ready to talk; when I thought the derby girls themselves were awesome, they invited us all to the afterparty.

– I love the rules set, and how much it’s willing to change. Baseball and football, even basketball, are calcified in some ways. I hate the last minute on the clock of an NBA game, and they’re never going to change it drastically, they might just make minor changes. When minor penalties made the game worse, derby threw them out.

– Derby ain’t perfect, but it’s a much safer space than most for women, LGBTQIA, and PoC folks. That’s a culture that I want to support, be a part of, and try to replicate pieces of in the other spaces I live in.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

This might be cheating, but I loved talking about the 2014 Championships and that final play. There’s something about shared memories and giant moments in sports that give everything that comes after it so much emotional weight. Whatever your opinion on that play, it was definitely worthy of talking about over and over again.

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

“Carthago delenda est.”

Hey, I said I was a geek.

Our notable BAD Volunteer of the Month from September 2015? Dedicated former skater and volunteer, Julie Noted. No stranger to derby, Julie joined BAD from the Denver Roller Dolls participating in BAD as a Reckless Roller, Pool skater, and volunteer. From helping with the Skater Tots program (an initiative designed to teach kids in Richmond schools roller skating basics) to assisting with BAD’s Merchandise division, Julie provides the league with quality help and stuns us with enviable turquoise-cerulean locks.

Name: Julie Noted

If you have a derby name, what is it & what’s the story behind it?

My derby name is Julie Noted, like “duly noted.” I like the phrase and my real first name happens to sound a lot like “duly.”

How long have you been with B.A.D.? What brought you to B.A.D.?

I used to be a skater with Denver Roller Derby, but moved to the Bay Area in 2013 to be with my then-boyfriend. I skated with the rec league, the Reckless Rollers, before trying out in December of that year. I had seen BAD skate against Denver before, so I knew that they were a really strong, competitive league.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

I’m taking prerequisites for nursing school, and I’m loving my anatomy class. My other interests include, but are not limited to: reading, cats, dabbling in amateur makeup artistry, pencils, fountain pens, stationery, unicorns, bowling, video games, board games, and Jeopardy!

What do you love about roller derby?

It’s such a diverse community and such a dynamic sport that many people find something in it that resonates with them. It changes their lives. My favorite thing is introducing people to the sport and making them into new fans. Last year, I helped Taxi Scab run roller derby classes for her elementary school students. They got physical education and got to learn all about a whole new sport! Another way I spread the derby love is at work–I’m a bookseller at Pegasus Books in Oakland, and “Roller Girl” by Victoria Jamieson is one of the things I often recommend.  

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

I went to the Big O Tournament to sell merchandise for the league in May. It was a lot of work, but I got to watch the travel team and see skaters from all over the world in one building. I also got to spend quality time with Bella Bomber!

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

Oh but I have two favorites!

“Get action. Do things. Be sane. Don’t fritter away your time; create, act, take a place wherever you are and be somebody.” – Theodore Roosevelt (one of my favorite historical figures)

“You have the same amount of hours in the day as Beyoncé.” – Unknown

Chewie has been officiating roller derby and supporting BAD in various other volunteer roles since 2010. Her teaching experience in her professional life has brought her a generous helping of both patience and poise to the derby track, along with a studious understanding of the rules. While she is hanging up her stripes for the time being and will be sorely missed at game time, BAD is thankful for Chewie's continued contributions to the league with the Events and PR committees and super proud of her work with the Prison University Project.

Photo credit: Michael Dunn

Name: Big League Chew

If you have a derby name, what is it & what’s the story behind it?

I’ve been called “Chewie” since I was in middle school due to my last name and first initial (Chu, E.) When I joined roller derby, I wanted a more “formal” derby name since I figured Chewie was a common nickname. My housemate at the time liked making new puns on my name and “Big League Chew” stuck.

How long have you been with Bay Area Derby? What brought you to BAD?

I officiated with BAD for five years as both a skating referee and non-skating official (NSO). I just retired, but I am staying around to help out with tasks and projects to keep the league running.

I came to BAD after I went to a bout in 2010, decided to give this roller derby thing a shot, sent a few emails to BAD and showed up.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

My paying occupation is teaching general chemistry at local universities and colleges as an adjunct instructor. Despite how tiring it is, I really enjoy it and I hope to one day be a full-time instructor.

The main reason I retired from officiating recently was to devote more time to teaching math and biology at San Quentin Prison as a volunteer instructor for the Prison University Project. It’s one of the few programs in the US in which incarcerated individuals have opportunities to take in-person college credit classes. Many go on to earn their Associate Degrees, even while still in incarcerated.

Outside of teaching, I take yoga classes, I’ve started running and I have a subscription to the San Francisco Ballet. I’m really excited for Swan Lake and Coppelia this season.

What do you love about roller derby?

The community! That’s why I’m staying around to help out, even with my crazy schedule.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

I decided to step up and take on new and challenging tasks for the league. I’ve learned to be more effective at communication and organization.

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

I’m not really into motivational quotes. Currently, “Live in the Present” is in my head, but I blame yoga for that.

Ranger stepped into a critical role his first season with BAD, joining the coaching staff of the Golden Girls All-Star team.  As a student of the sport, Ranger relishes the depth of strategy that roller derby provides, and brings that attitude to practice where his intensity is infectious. And when it comes to the big game, Ranger’s rock solid support on the bench helped laid the groundwork for his players to execute on the track. We recognize Ranger as Volunteer of the Month for November 2015.

Photo credit: IGP Photo

Name: Pink Ranger

If you have a derby name, what is it & what’s the story behind it?

My full derby name is Pink Ranger, which has absolutely NOTHING to do with the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. I served four tours overseas as an Army Ranger, which explains the Ranger part. The pink comes from the flamboyant outfits I would wear to Silicon Valley Roller Girls practices. And the coach at the time, Pandamonium, named me Pink Ranger

How long have you been with B.A.D.? What brought you to B.A.D.?

I just finished my first humbling, educational and amazing season with Bay Area Derby. I was introduced to derby about four years ago and began stalking B.A.D. immediately, I gained a lot of respect for B.A.D. as a league and once I was done with Silicon Valley Roller Girls it only made sense to inquire about coaching with all of these amazing people.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

I LOVE playing with my cats and hanging with my wonderful girlfriend Apryl-Joy Pascua. Complaining about technology and its effect on society, especially our youth, grabbing hold of every conspiracy there is and being a general curmudgeon.

What do you love about roller derby?

The game itself is incredibly organic, the situation on the track near fluid and the challenge the environment provides a coach is quite motivating. I know as a male amateur contact athlete my opportunities to compete after high school became seriously limited; contact sports for women are much more scarce. I respect the opportunity derby provides for the female warriors of our current society.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

My most memorable experience was beating Denver at Champs, quite gratifying beating a team who we had lost to previously. My favorite moments have been the feeling following a good practice, and experiencing the depths to which skaters are willing to push themselves. Practice is where the magic happens.

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

“Perfection is not attainable, but if we (tirelessly) chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

Roller derby blood runs deep in the Coyote family. January’s Bad Volunteers of the Month are none other than Sandie and Emo Schuitema, aka, Mama and Papa Coyote. Starting off as awesome fans, this duo climbed the ranks to esteemed BAD volunteers. They helped our events committee with all aspects of bout set-up and tear-down for the past two years. Yea, that’s right, the floor doesn’t put itself down; it takes the time and effort of our amazing volunteer community to help us build our track and stock our venue for our fans. Read on to learn more about this awesome volunteer parental unit!

Photo Credit: Unknown – Picture Papa Coyote (Mama Coyote was too fast to be captured by mere mortal photography.)

Name(s): Sandie and Emo Schuitema

If you have a derby name, what is it & what’s the story behind it?

Vile E. Coyote is our daughter

How long have you been with BAD? What brought you to BAD?

Two years with our daughter

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?

Rebuilding antique clocks and classic muscle cars and riding my Harley.

What do you love about roller derby?

The camaraderie between all the girls and all the action.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.

Berkeley Resistance winning the championship in 2015.

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.

“Just get in there and do it!”

For February, we'd like to recognize a volunteer who is our silent guardian and watchful protector (of stats). BAD's very own Kate Crüsader. She is a precious gem of a volunteer who dedicates time throughout the week and during bouts as one of a like-minded team of hero-officials who refer to themselves as the ‘N-S-Os’. We suspect this may stand for ‘Network of Supreme Omniscients’ but the rest of the world interprets them as “Non-Skating Officials.” Her weapons of choice during a roller derby scrimmage or game are a pencil and clipboard’; she thrives as a pro interlocutor between what happens on the track and the stats that keep BAD on the map. Off the track she can be commonly found pumping iron and hanging out with her kitten. You know, standard superhero stuff.

Photo credit: Donalee Eiri of Photography by D.E.sign

Name: Kate Crüsader

If you have a derby name, what is it? What’s the story behind it?:

My derby name is Kate Crüsader. My name was given to me by a friend one night while watching the Dark Knight. I have always wanted to be a superhero and my nephews think my name is pretty cool.

How long have you been with BAD? What brought you to BAD?:

This is my 4th season with BAD. My friend Edith Shred (retired ShEvil skater) convinced me to check out Reckless Rollers. She went to my first practice with me. I found my derby tribe when Dream Queen (the Head Non-Skating Official at the time and a fellow Reckless skater) convinced me to give NSOing a try.

When you’re not supporting our league – what else do you enjoy doing?:

I love to sew, collect creepy art and skulls, skate outdoors, watch horror movies, lift weights (who knew?) and hang out with my family, friends and kitten.

What do you love about roller derby?:

I love the amazing people that have come into my life because of derby. There are people who I would have probably never met if it hadn’t been for derby, including my beautiful partner and one of my very best friends.

The game itself continues to inspire me. I may not be a skater but I am inspired every time I see what my league mates accomplish on the track, off the track, behind the scenes.
You have never met a more dedicated group of people than derby lovers.

Share your favorite derby memory/moment of 2016 (so far).:

Walking into Craneway Pavilion on Feb 27th to kick off the 2016 BAD Season for a full day of officiating derby. The calm before the storm, the beauty of the location and the anticipation of the games in front of you. There is nothing quite like it.

Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.:

Fate whispers to the warrior
You cannot withstand this storm
And the warrior whispers back
I am the storm
– Author Unknown

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.

Rewind to April's BAD Volunteer of the Month!

The lifeblood of any sports league, the fuel that really keeps things pumping behind the scenes and helps our teams glitter with Gold, are the relationships we make and the sponsorship we receive through like-minded companies and individuals. Diana Caballero (Mama Hammer, to some) has been instrumental this season in helping BAD make some serious connections in the community.

Among her heroines are Rosa Parks, for her willingness to take a stand, and Roald Dahl’s sly genius Matilda, both role models that BAD can get behind! Thank you for giving us Jane Hammer and for all of your support, Diana.

Name one of your heroines from world history.  Ms. Rosa Parks because she stood up for her rights

What is your favorite food and drink? Ice Cream and Champagne

Name one of your favorite heroines from fiction. [Roald Dahl’s] Matilda is one of my favorite heroines because she embodies all of us with her passion for books; something I love about my daughter and her passion for reading.

If you weren’t doing your current occupation, what would you want to do? Interior Decorator