San Francisco Chronicle, Lisa Hicks
October 2005 – “Grrls in fishnet stockings and bum-flashing skirts knock one another flat on the floor, while a piercing-to-piercing crowd roars and cheers them on. But there’s no blood spilled…”
from Inside Bay Area
October 2005- “The Bay Area Derby Girls, an all-women’s roller derby league, hosted its first bout Saturday night between the San Francisco Shevil Dead and Oakland Outlaws….”
CBS Evening News
October 2005- CBS Evening news sports coverage of a practice leading up to the B.A.D. Girls’ first bout, “Thirst for Blood.”
KRON 4 Evening News
October 2005- “A once popular Bay Area sport is making a comeback. And it’s got a new twist…”
from SF Weekly, Ron Russel
June 2005 – “With their rebel personas, body piercings, tattoos, and party-hardy lifestyle, the Derby Girls are as much subculture phenoms as skaters….”
From July 2015, we'd like to recognize this BAD skater . . .
Mary Prankster is no joke when it comes to BAD finances. She’s been whipping the Finance Committee into to all-star shape by streamlining processes, compiling excellent reports so we can all see where the league is financially, and generally rocking things all around. Also, in her arsenal is an array of valuable architectural knowledge as BAD continues searching for a new practice space. From drawing up track dimensions and then helping us maintain our budget – BAD is lucky to have Pranks keeping us from too much mayhem.
Photo credit: Lucas Saugen
Name: Mary Prankster
Number: 64
Team: Oakland Outlaws
B.A.D. League Involvement: Finance Manager and also involved with the Space Search
What’s the story behind your derby name?
The Merry Pranksters are an infamous group that traveled around the States in the 60’s causing general delight and mayhem. They were chronicled in the book the Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test. This is a play on their name by changing Merry to Mary, which also happens to be my paternal grandmother’s name. I supposedly take after her, though I never met her.
How long have you been playing roller derby?
Two years.
How long have you been with B.A.D.? What brought you to B.A.D.?
Also two years since I started at B.A.D.! I wore my old speed skates from the 80’s as part of a Halloween costume a few years ago. A friend said to me, “You should play roller derby!” They were right . . . a few months later I found B.A.D. and signed up for a pre-Reckless class.
What’s your skate set-up?
Antiks. I’m a fan of ankle support.
What is your favorite non-derby sport or cross-training activity?
Trail running with my pup, Harvey! And backpacking when I can get away for a weekend in the Sierras.
Share your favorite derby memory/moment from 2015.
In our game against the Belles this year, in the last few minutes of the game the score was very close – within a few points. Our coach, Huck Sinn, called a timeout and we huddled for a regroup. Huck pulled out a passionate motivational speech and declared, “I won’t lose by three points again!” (The Outlaws have lost to the Belles by three points twice in recent years.) And sure enough, the Outlaws came together for a win . . . by four points.
Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.
From a woman who will always be my inspiration, my Mom, “What’s the worst that could happen? They say no. But they might say yes and you won’t know unless you ask.”
Don’t mind us as we play catch-up and give recognition to our April BAD Skater of the Month!
Since transferring to BAD from Central California Area Derby in Fresno, KillA Beezy’s been a tremendous asset to BAD both on and off wheels. She’s always eager to learn, willing to help, and will take on just about any challenge put in front of her. A member of the Berkeley Resistance, Beezy’s dedication to growing her skills set and being a supportive teammate is apparent. She’s always got a smile on her face, is happy to do whatever her team needs in the moment and has no qualms about putting her head down and just doing WORK.
If you’re a follower on Bay Area Derby’s Facebook and Instagram pages, you can credit Beezy for the steady stream of info, pictures and derby fun. If that isn’t enough, she’s also been instrumental within our Merchandising Committee.
She’s smart, works hard and is very much a positive addition to the continued stream of skaters transferring into BAD. In fewer words: we’re glad you’re here, Beezy!
Photo credit: Into the Void Photography
What’s the story behind your derby name?: It’s a multi-fold story. My “real” name is Betsy and I had a good friend in college who nicknamed me Beezy. When I went to choose a derby name I was watching a lot of this anime called Naruto which features a ninja named Killer B, who is an 8-tailed beast with extraordinary powers who raps in an obvious homage to the Wu-Tang Clan. Things just kinda came together.
How long have you been playing roller derby? : Almost 4 years.
How long have you been with BAD? What brought you to BAD? : Just under a year. I was recruited for a job in the south bay and when I made the move I wanted to put myself in a position where I would be able to improve in my sport, so I transferred to BAD.
What league jobs do you currently hold? What committees are you involved with?: I am the social media coordinator of the PR/Marketing committee and I work on the the merchandise committee.
What’s your skate set-up?: Riedell 495 & Powerdyne Revenge plates.
What is your favorite non-derby sport or cross-training activity?: Power lifting and spinning.
Share your favorite derby memory/moment of 2016 (so far).: Traveling to Los Angeles with Berkeley to play in the Tinseltown Showdown and winning all the games!
Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.: Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence. -Vince Lombardi
Your heroines in World history. Kathleen Hanna, Margaret Heafield
Your favorite food and drink. Tacos, burritos, enchiladas, chips, and fresh salsa (preferably made from homegrown tomatoes). I mostly drink water but if I had to choose one alternate beverage forever it would be hard cider.
Your favorite heroes/heroines in fiction. Right now Arya Stark and Brienne of Tarth (I’m currently reading A Storm of Swords, that’s the third book so no spoilers you HBO watchers!!)
Who you think is the most despicable fictional villain? I can honestly only think in terms of what I’m reading right now so it’s got to be Joffrey and Cersei Lannister. Let’s be honest – there are more despicable real life villains out there than fictional ones because they are just as sick or sicker and they are REAL.
If you weren’t doing your current occupation, what would you want to do? Something to help tackle real world problems that affect everyday life, especially impoverished and/or homeless youth. I could probably do more about that no matter what occupation I have, so that’s a goal for me to find a way to do that.
May’s BAD Skater of the Month is an individual who has gone above and beyond since she joined the league.
Pomba #242 (the skater formerly known as Hakunama Pomba) could be BAD Skater of the Month every month of the year! Pomba is the epitome of a team player whose hard work on and off the track help keep BAD rolling strong. As a blocker/pivot for Berkeley and a 2016 travel team skater, she clocks in nearly as many hours as a full-time job with her Insurance Liaison and co-Events Manager positions — along with other league tasks she picks up throughout the month. Often one of the first skaters to arrive and last to leave when volunteering at BAD’s games and outreach events, you can give her a fist bump when she reps Berkeley’s hippies July 23rd at the Craneway Pavilion in their game against the San Francisco ShEvil Dead.
Name: Pomba
What’s the story behind your derby name?: It’s my last name.
How long have you been playing roller derby? : About 3 years
How long have you been with BAD? What brought you to BAD? : 3 kick-ass years. Started as a fan, then signed up for a BAD led “learn-to-skate” clinic and the rest is history.
What league jobs do you currently hold? What committees are you involved with?: CM of Events, WFTDA Insurance Liaison, Team Gold Captain, part time league trainer, and I help out wherever possible.
What’s your skate set-up?: Custom carbon Bonts with the Infinity plate, and Bont FXX wheels. Best setup I’ve ever had.
What is your favorite non-derby sport or cross-training activity?: I sweat hard with my Personal Trainer (who is a retired BAD All-Star) a couple times a week. She keeps me strong, focused, and reminds me to have fun.
Share your favorite derby memory/moment of 2016 (so far).: When I found out I was selected to be on Team Gold. I am constantly humbled and reminded of the hard work that has been put in by my teammates both past and present each time I step on the track. The Gold Helmet represents so much, including years of work and I am grateful each day to have been given the opportunity to wear it.
Share one of your favorite motivational quotes with us.: “I am building a fire, and every day I train, I add more fuel. At just the right moment, I light the match.” – Mia Hamm
Name your favorite heroines in World history. I’ve got too many to list.
Your favorite food and drink? Pizza with a Brotein shake on the side.
Who are your favorite heroes/heroines in fiction? Right now, Lyanna Mormont in Game of Thrones. She’s like 6 years old and already shutting down the mansplaining.
Who you think is the most despicable fictional villain? Can I say Donald Drumpf? I like to pretend he’s not real.
If you weren’t doing your current occupation, what would you want to do? I’d be a Gastroenterologist who specializes in inflammatory diseases of the bowels.
So the last time we sat down to talk about our amazing volunteers and those who support the B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls, we asked each other whom we should honor next as Volunteer of the Month, and there arose a great cry from the assembled body. “OMIGOD ABOMB'S PARENTS!” they all shouted. For yea did we all agree that, man alive, these are some PASSIONATE fans, and support our league and skaters like few others.
Whether it's buying every raffle ticket in the place to win the coveted Gold Chair for an entire doubleheader, or stealing the show at the half-time dance-off at WFTDA Playoffs in Sacramento, Momma and Poppa Bomb just bring joy to everyone who sees them in the crowd. When Momma Bomb starts dancing, you KNOW the party's been brought.
Ladies and gentlemen, your B.ay A.rea D.erby Girls Volunteers of the Month, Tom and Patricia Shelby, The Bomb Squad!!
How did you become involved with the league?
Tom and I first saw Bay Area Derby Girls skate at the Sacramento regional championships some years ago, I think in 2010. [We] both fell in love with the sport and saw the potential it could grow into and become more athletic and even more competitive. I (Pat) had grown up watching the Bay Bombers with players like Joni Weston, I never thought my kid would like to get hit and hit people especially this particular one, she was a big softy. We started our involvement when [ABomb] moved from Oahu back to the mainland and requested to join BAD in 2012. We became regular attendees at open practices and all home games. Eventually we figured out that we should just buy season tickets and all of the other special events like Golden Bowl.
Do you have derby names?
Yes we do, a few in fact…
a.) We made our own tee shirts that say “BAD PARENT” I was once asked by a stranger if the court Judge had made me wear that in public.
b.) Since our daughter is commonly called a shortened version of her derby name “Abomb” we started being called Momma Bomb and Poppa Bomb by some of her teammates on the Richmond Wrecking Bells. It took and we love it. I have a black, white and gold outfit with Momma Bomb and BAD Parent on it and I proudly represent Bay Area Derby when I go to tournaments or to Travel team events.
c.) We are also known as The Bomb Squad — we bring noise, laughter, a bit of groove and some dance moves to the games. We are open to all who love the game and love to cheer for Bay Area Derby Girls.
When not bringing the Noize and Funk what do you do?
Tom is an awesome computer-nerd type working as a software architect analyst and Pat works in human services teaching employment services skills. We have five wonderful daughters, seven fantastic grandchildren and have been happily married for nearly 36
years.
Do you have a favorite Derby moment or one thing you are most proud of?
When our girl “Abominatrix” rolled out onto that floor for the first time at Craneway Pavilion as a member of the Wrecking Belles it gave us goose bumps.
What is your favorite part of being involved with Bay Area Derby or derby in general?
Pat: My favorite part is feeling like I am a league Mom. Not a mom just to my own kid but to all of my girls, as I call them. I like giving out the hugs and encouragement.
Tom: Being father of all girls has made this derby adventure for even more enjoyable because this is a sport that showcases the strength, athletic abilities and determination of women so beautifully. I have met other fathers and we share a bond of believing in and support strong women, that is so very cool. As a man I want to see it grow to give even more girls and women an opportunity for sport in the future.
We both have enjoyed the camaraderie and friendships we have developed within the derby community in the league and among our competitors. We are excited to see where Bay Area Derby will be 10 years from now.
My Derby Crush?
Pat: Poppa Bomb (My rhythm and heartbeat)
Tom: Momma Bomb (She gives me courage)
Our Derby Crush?
Abominatrix #140 of the RICHMOND WRECKING BELLES
In the Merry Month of May, our B.A.D. Volunteer of the Month is another one of our officials, Red Card! Red is one of our newer NSOs, and has already demonstrated an
ability to quickly pick up a new skill, and is becoming one of our more reliable officials. A fellow official says of her, “She is super eager to learn about how the game works from every angle. Always willing to hop in and help with anything that the league needs.”
And what does the league need? Well, sometimes we need someone handy with metalworking tools. And as someone pointed out, Red “makes things with metal and fire, and that's pretty [darn] cool.” And that skill is what earned her this nomination, for her work leveling the floor in our practice space, spending hours grinding down various bits of metal that made our floor lumpy and adventuresome. Red has also worked with our Facilities manager on other livability projects, including pigeon mitigation. 'cause nothing makes skating more unpleasant that pigeons and…well, just, pigeons.
For being willing, skilled, handy, and for seemingly always wanting “to learn a smarter, better, more efficient way to do a job if she see's that one of us has one,” we honor Red Card as this month's B.A.D. Volunteer of the Month!
What’s your gubmint name (the one on your birth certificate)?
Brittnee Jones
Do you have a derby name? How’d you get it?
Yes, Red Card. I was always Red growing up in soccer camps as it was easy for
everyone to remember (given the red hair), so I was definitely using that. And my
partner suggested “Red Card” as a tribute to soccer. It immediately stuck. Plus it’s fun
to be Red Card as an NSO.
What do you do when you’re not supporting the Bay Area Derby Girls?
Sciencey things for my day job. And I work on big crazy flaming metal art stuff in any
other free time. (Yes, for burning man but for other things too). I’ll throw a plug in for the
Flaming Lotus Girls! I love ’em!
How did you become involved with our league? How long have you been with us?
My partner got me to go to some bouts last season. I immediately realized these are my
people: highly motivated warehouse athletic types. I was enamored.
Do you have a favorite derby moment or one thing you are most proud of?
Um, not really. I’m a super newby, so I’m still earning my stripes. 🙂
If you had one super power what would it be? Would you use it for good or evil?
Right now, I’d wanna be able to control the weather. Team California needs rain.
Where would you love to live, if not in the Bay Area?
I’ve done my fair share of traveling for work, and it made me realize this is really home. I
have no idea what’s next but there really isn’t a place I would love to live right now
except here. When there is, I’ll move there.
Who’s your derby crush?
Prolly (former ShEvil #52) Kid Ace. She’s an amazing trainer and super great human all
around. And she somehow magically has that wind blown hair look after killing it in a
bout.
What’s your personal goal for 2015 (derby or otherwise)?
Hopefully my knee will heal and I can make the league. That’s the dream.