THE BASICS

What is your derby name? Sailor Doom

• What is the inspiration and story behind your derby name? I grew up loving Sailor Moon. I could probably write a zillion words about how awesome the show, manga, and specific character of Sailor Moon all are. In a nutshell, powerful, complex girls doing cool stuff like saving the universe with the help of their equally powerful, complex friends is kind of awesome. Plus, I’m a total crybaby klutz who likes donuts, just like Sailor Doom.

What is your number? HB1C – Head Bitch In Charge.

How did you get involved with roller derby? I got roped into volunteering in 2012 as an NSO by Clea DuBrawl and JirrBallistic, and I haven’t been able to get away since!

What is your pre-derby sports/skating background? I’m good at video games and tumblr and have very weak ankles. I think I’ve been to a hockey match once, maybe? Oh god this is so embarrassing.

As the League Bout Coordinator, can you give us your unique perspective of the game? There is so much going on all the time during the bout, but there’s so much more that goes on the weeks and months prior. Our team is so much larger and involved than the hour and a half of actual bout-time that fans see. It’s kind of magical.

What is your favorite part in being the Bout Coordinator?  There’s always this moment just before the bout ends—between the final whistle and the victory lap—where it’s completely euphoric. I’m tense and running around throughout the bout, and suddenly there’s nothing to do but be happy and proud of this thing you’ve just accomplished as a team. Whatever hiccups had to be dealt with, whatever nonsense was stressing me out—that’s all over and there’s nothing but a cheering crowd, our amazing NSOs and volunteers, and this league that I love so much. That’s my favorite part about being bout coordinator. You’ve trusted everyone to do their job, you’ve put trust in the universe that things will be okay one way or another, and it always works out in the end.

BOUT TIME

Where do you prefer to watch the game? To be perfectly honest, I don’t even remember the last time I’ve watched a bout! I’m always running around. My favorite place to watch the game is wherever and whenever I get a chance to sit down.

Do you have a pre-bout ritual? There’s so much that goes on in the weeks before the bout, all these little things to remember to do. My brain will be split a thousand different ways, but come bout day, I try to clear my head and do things completely unrelated to derby. Before the last bout, I took my dog to puppy play time and then painted my nails until I had to leave for the Fairgounds. I also breathe. That usually helps.

What do you think about when you’re on your way to the game? I try to think as little as possible. That’s what all that obsessive prep work is for. I’ve learned to trust in my own preparedness, my league, and my extended volunteer family.

What are you doing while we’re all watching/playing the game? Panicking or trying really hard not to panic.

• What is your signature move? I’m really skilled at the Getting Shit Done. Like, really, really skilled.

Do we ever get to see you in skates? See above comments about weak ankles and being really clumsy.

NON-DERBY LIFE

What is your day job? And how, if at all, has it contributed to your experience of roller derby? I work as an IT project coordinator for Shands. Half of my day job is herding cats. I can’t tell you how uniquely prepared for the bout coordinator position that made me. In both jobs, I manage a bunch of different personalities while doing things I don’t necessarily have prior experience in. Keeping a cool head while I figure something out is integral as bout coordinator.

How has your involvement in roller derby affected the way you live the rest of your life? Everything becomes a pun. EVERYTHING. I wish I could say I don’t have a running Google doc of cheesy and/or inappropriate derby names, but I 100% do.

• How do you find a balance between your derby life and your “real” life? It’s a little easier for me because I’m not a skater. I have so much respect for these girls who skate for three hours three times a week and play in bouts in addition to all of the other things they do for the league. I couldn’t do that.
• What advice do you have for girls who want to get involved with roller derby? DO IT. If you’re a trans woman, a fat woman, a woman of color, a queer woman, get involved. This is your sport and your community. GRR has so many opportunities for creativity, athleticism, and empowerment whether you’ve got skates on your feet or not.

Do you have a special message to your fans? Your hair looks really good today! Keep doing that thing you’re really good at or work on that thing that you’d like to be better at! Take time to take care of yourself! Keep coming to our bouts and let me know if you have any suggestions! <3

Is there anyone that you’d like to thank? I need to thank my girlfriend who is currently suffering our second derby season together. There’s a reason we call our partners “derby widows,” ya know, but she is so supportive, kind, and helpful. (And she lets me use her printer all the time for free.) I also want to thank all of the amazing people in this league who dedicate so much of their time, energy, and love into making this happen on the regular.