Roller derby name and number: Sisco Inferno, #616
Roller derby position – on the track: Blocker – because I get a secret pleasure from being in people’s way. Doing it in roller derby is much better than walking in front of people on the sidewalk and abruptly stopping.
Roller derby position – off the track: Fundraising and community events coordinator, because I love finding creative ways to both support the team AND bring derby love to the general public.
How long have you been involved with roller derby and/or GRR? I’ve been playing on the team since August 2011, but I’d been thinking about it long and hard since they started in 2007.
How did you come up with your name and number? Sisco’s my last name; Sisco Inferno’s a play on the classic tune “Disco Inferno,” because I love dancing! And fire. I even set myself on fire once but not on purpose. 616 is a fantastically-clever inside joke with myself: it’s the area code of my hometown, Grand Rapids, the airport code for which is GRR. GET IT?!
Do you have any pre- or post-bout rituals? Um, just watch me rant in this video around 3:15.
What is your favorite thing about playing roller derby for GRR? I feel like I should say something inspiring about the incredible women and men I get to play with and the way we continually push each other to grow personally and collectively, because that’s all true, but my favorite thing is getting to hit people.
What is your most memorable GRR roller derby experience? It would have to be our road trip weekend in Asheville against the Blue Ridge Roller Girls (who we’re re-matching [Sat, Oct 13th] SHAMELESS PLUG!). Friends of the league generously shared their NC home and others their cooking skills, making it a wonderful experience. On top of all that, we got a surprise visit from our dearly loved Eh-Nihilator, who taught me to smash when I was just a wee fresh meat.
If you had a theme song, what would it be? You’d think it’d have to be Disco Inferno, but it’s probably something by my favorite band, Electric Six, whose catalog includes a vastly disproportionate representation of songs about dancing, fire, machismo, and hypersexuality. In my happiest derby moments I’m all Dance Commander, smashing around and air guitar-ing like a maniac.
Aside from roller derby, what are you passionate about? Lately, learning to listen to the other side and to love even when I don’t want to. Also oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.
What would GRR fans be surprised to know about you? I had vertigo when I started playing derby. I’ve played violin for 20 years, and was playing with a band before I joined the team. I’m a psychologist in a VA nursing home, which means I spend a lot of time getting to know people over bingo, reminiscing in the sun, and – with the vets with dementia – having genuinely enjoyable conversations about nothing at all.
What makes you a Rebel? When I was a kid, if I was in a good mood I’d hug everything in sight – trees, telephone poles, especially large rocks – without giving two s**ts what anyone thought. As an adult, give me two beers and I’ll still do pretty much the same thing.
Likes: Macaroni and cheese, Michigan in the fall, Mr. Inferno
Dislikes: Poor grammar, you chewing with your mouth open.
Guilty pleasures: Brak, wearing a bear suit, Guitar Hero