![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mdg20191122-123.jpg?resize=300%2C169&ssl=1\")
roller derby is not what it used to be. I ventured into the dark corners of Shoppingtown Mall and into the Vault, where I was able to sit amidst a pack of these wild ones. I met with the local crew\u2019s Head of Public Relations, Megan Rydzak or \u201cFocus Pocus,\u201d who has been skating since 2016. Megan speaks about the re-launch and rebranding of the Syracuse league.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s really evolved into more sport than spectacle now,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s very hard and competitive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Assault City Roller Derby began in 2007 with a very different feel. There weren\u2019t even companies making roller derby jerseys yet. The end of 2019 brought a new name and new logo to Syracuse\u2019s only Roller derby league. Now known as Salt City Roller Derby, the team feels more represented as individuals, as a community, and as a sport. Their logo now features actual words and is no longer a singular, specific player look and style.<\/p>\n
So, if these women aren\u2019t the Rockabilly pin-ups we\u2019ve been imagining, who are they?<\/p>\n
I sat down with six teammates who filled me in after hours of practice runs together. They sat collectively on chairs, couches, and the floor patting one another on the back, smiling, hydrating, and picking at their skates. The other teammates mopped up sweat, and playfully put mats away.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe group of women that play roller derby, they just come from all walks of life,\u201d the diversity is amazing and everyone is just so incredibly supportive of each other,\u201d said Pushin\u2019 Buttons (Stacey Walton). \u201cYou have cops and CPA\u2019s and teachers, and stay-at-home-moms, and college students and we just, we all come together and work together and we support each other and that feeling is amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walton wasn\u2019t the only one who felt this way. The group of women vocalized and bobbed their heads in agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cRoller Derby finds you when you when you need it most in your life,\u201d said Terror Dactyl (Tara Thornton). \u201cI feel like it\u2019s taken me out of some depression, some self-doubt, and has given me so much self confidence that I\u2019ve never had in myself. I can\u2019t preach enough to people of how important it is in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most agreed that the initial beginning of each derby career was intimidating yet instantly solidified their paths.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played a lot of things but nothing like this,\u201d said Prymal Instynct (Marie Martini). Recalling her first practice, she said, \u201cI try some skates on and was like \u2018Oh, yeah this is amazing.\u2019 I just felt like all of a sudden I had wings. It was amazing.\u201d<\/p>\n
dExtra Terresrial (Erica Tauzer) spoke about how unique the dynamic is to have a team for adult women<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve always been attracted to the strength and motivation roller derby brings,\u201d Tauzer said. \u201cI\u2019m a smaller person, so I was a little unsure if roller derby was going to be the place for me. There\u2019s a place for everyone, and when you know your strengths then you can find that space and really make a good experience out of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the women spoke, their words flowed together as if they were one being, sharing a continuous thought. It only makes more sense that there is such a bond and connection when you join a roller derby league. Instantly, you become part of a team. You are taught how to stand strong, how to safely fall, reminded of the protection you have from gear and your teammates, and are told to stop saying \u201cI\u2019m sorry\u201d as a No. 1 rule.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce you start to question [constant apologizing] you can kind of start to work on it and see how unnecessary it is most of the time,\u201d Martini said. \u201cThat\u2019s when it changes the rest of your life because then you\u2019re not saying sorry at work or in so many other situations or to your partner.\u201d<\/p>\n
SCRD is a competitive team running under the Women\u2019s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) and are now able to be ranked country wide. Because they are in an official association, there are guidelines and rules that must be followed, so no need to be too terrified of ultimate chaos. There\u2019s rhyme, reason, technique, and different classes of teams.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou get to play against these women and you\u2019re competitive, but you can still have respect for each other and you can still enjoy each other and you can still have fun on the track even though you\u2019re beating the crap out of each other,\u201d Walton said. \u201cIt\u2019s still enjoyable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDerby forces you to look at yourself and ask yourself \u2018What am I really capable of?\u2019 and that\u2019s honestly what keeps me around,\u201d Tough Buck (Crys Eldridge) said. \u201cIt\u2019s completely reframed my ability to look at my life. I no longer look at things that are difficult as something to be afraid of but I look at them as opportunities to grow. I see that in derby and I see that in my life and it\u2019s just been a really incredible ride so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Join or Support your Salt City Roller Derby League by attending a game in their upcoming season at their new location: The Onondaga Nation Arena March 21, April 25, and Sept. 12 and by following on social media @Saltcityrd or their website www.saltcityrollerderby.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Megan Sheehan Photos by Michael DiGiglio\/MDG Images When you mention \u201cRoller Derby\u201d in casual conversation, the typical response always seems to be a strong one. Descriptions run along the line of brutal, teeth gritting, pain, and general chaotic ass kicking. There are visions of bright red lipstick, fishnet stockings, knee highs, pigtails and short…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2861,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[101,4],"tags":[1108,1107],"class_list":["post-2860","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-features","category-special-feature","tag-roller-derby","tag-salt-city-roller-derby"],"gutentor_comment":0,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/mdg20191122-34-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1707&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":845,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=845","url_meta":{"origin":2860,"position":0},"title":"Salt City Grille","author":"Staff","date":"June 30, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Grilling Up Local Love By Gabrielle Reagan | Photography by Steven J. 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Syracuse University graduate and supermodel Emme will be the keynote speaker for the event, which takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, at the Nicholas\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Causes"","block_context":{"text":"Causes","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=104"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Go-Red-Emme-headshot.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Go-Red-Emme-headshot.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Go-Red-Emme-headshot.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Go-Red-Emme-headshot.jpg?fit=900%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2561,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2561","url_meta":{"origin":2860,"position":2},"title":"SYRACUSE EATS: Salt City Coffee: Making a Difference, One Cup at a Time","author":"Staff","date":"September 3, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Becca Taurisano Photos by Steven J. Pallone \u00a0 Maria Metthe is all about relationships. \u00a0 \u201cCoffee is a gateway to have conversations, and that builds relationships,\u201d said Maria. \u00a0 She and her husband, Aaron, opened Salt City Coffee two years ago in its Near West Side location. Maria deals\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Featured"","block_context":{"text":"Featured","link":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?cat=99"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_8305.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_8305.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_8305.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_8305.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/09\/IMG_8305.jpg?fit=1200%2C795&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2292,"url":"https:\/\/www.syracusewomanmag.com\/?p=2292","url_meta":{"origin":2860,"position":3},"title":"SPECIAL FEATURE: Junior League of Syracuse to celebrate centennial","author":"Staff","date":"March 4, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"BY JULIE PALMER Eleanor Roosevelt. 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