Why I Volunteer ~ Sasha Kenzan

When I sit back to write this blog and chronicle my experiences as the new announcer for the Dominion Derby Girls, one recurring thought comes through my mind… what took me so long to get here?

I was first aware of DDG in January of 2008. I was entering my ninth year of being involved in the pro wrestling business, and had spent nearly four years behind the microphone as an announcer. I had just been booked for a science fiction convention in Williamsburg, as the convention head wanted to bring some fresh programming and colorful characters. I was scheduled to give a panel on pro wrestling’s connection with science fiction, and while trying to figure out just what the heck I was going to blather on about for an hour, I got a phone call asking me if I would mind sharing a panel with a few girls from roller derby. Apparently they were booked as well, but there wasn’t enough space on the programming calendar for both of us, so we were combined.

I was flummoxed, to say the least. I had never seen roller derby, and I barely knew what it was. When I arrived for the panel, I noticed that we weren’t even listed on programming, so nobody knew we were there. That’s how I spent an hour having a conversation with Molly Shipwreck in front of six people wondering what this badass woman was doing talking with a dude wearing a lucha libre mask and a ton of eye makeup in the convention center about roller skates. My curiosity was piqued to learn more, but I never got the opportunity, as I had just started co-hosting a television show and my mind was swamped with that.

Flash forward about two years. My show was off the air and I was working for a new startup in central Virginia, and I happened to see someone having a vivid conversation about roller derby with one of the wrestlers… and that’s how I met Frankendoll. The next month, Frankendoll asked me if I was interested in helping out with DDG, and I said that if an opportunity presented itself, I would definitely be up for it. I planned to come to see the home bout against River City in February as a fan and, if I was interested, she would help me find something to do to help out.

Plans are curious things. A few days before the bout, Frank sends me a message… “are you able to help us announce?” Well, definitely. Yelling into microphones is what I do! “Can you come to practice tomorrow? We need someone for the bout.” One thing I’ve learned in my life is that if an opportunity arrives, don’t turn it down because you might never see it again.

I came to practice and I was amazed. I had only heard about the athleticism involved, but to see it was mind-blowing. Everyone spent time with me to make sure I was prepared and ready, and the sense of community and the energy was contagious. After my first bout, I knew I had made the right choice and became a member of the league a few days later. On top of the new challenges that announcing derby presents, I have been welcomed into a family, and I am so proud to help contribute towards helping this sport grow.

Why I Volunteer: Dr. Phil McGroin

For those of you whom I have not yet met, my name is Jason. ‘Round these parts they call me Ol’ Jas. I was first introduced to the sport of roller derby by a co-worker. Her name was Jasmine. We hit it off with some small talk about music and she seemed like a very cool and cultured woman-of-the-world. Little did I know that she had an alter-ego – Sweet N. Lowdown. We worked together at The Angry Chef in Greenbrier and when she told me what she did with roller derby, in the back of my mind, I’m thinking “This girl weighs like 38 pounds….wtf?”. So I came out to a bout and was BLOWN AWAY. Watching the little kids go ape everytime “Sweet N. Lowdown” was called out as lead jammer (which was like every 2:30) was enough to get me coming back.

Fast-forward to, say, early winter 2008. I have known Bev for easily 15 years. We went to high school together and if you get her drunk she may tell you the story of how I “came out of my shell”. On second thought, get me drunk and I’ll tell you; last time she relived the memory it was rather anticlimactic. At any rate, I was floored when she recently told me she was part of the DDG. When potential openings for announcers arose, she naturally thought of me and my irresistable charm, quick wit, magnetic charisma and rugged good looks. Oh, and modesty. I am very modest.

So, through a series of meet-and-greets at neighborhood bars I slowly began to immerse myself into the world of Roller Derby. My first “real” time spent with the team took place in November? for the Chesapeake Parade. What an event! Looking back on it, my favorite part of that night was just standing around before the fact, meeting everybody – telling jokes, shaking hands and kissing babies, rubbing elbows, hob-knobbing and shmoozing. Afterward at the Lazy Horse was a blast, too. I love the comraderie this league displays so freely and to be blindly accepted into that was deeply motivating.

Dr. Phil McGroin!

Fast-forward to about right now. You can find me at practices, meetings, etc. When I’m not spinning TV Game Show themes, I spend a lot of time at practices taking notes on what these ladies do, and why they do it. I feel like my role in this organization is, first and foremost, to be informed. Something as mundane as “extension of arms over the head relieves the diaphragm” can potentially benefit me if some kid asks me “why do they do that?’

The main reason I am here is because I believe in what these women are doing. I want nothing more than to see this sport blossom into a nationwide sensation. They put so much hard work and effort into what they do and that, in itself, is inspiring. I also believe that what they do is especially empowering to women across the world. It’s a beautiful thing to see so many different types of badass broads essentially collaborating for the same cause. Personally, I think there is a dire need for sports to regain a certain amount of integrity and the charitable causes that the DDG, and other similar leagues, have been a part of are of inestimable value to communities all across America and beyond.

I applaud these women now as I did at my first bout and I am truly honored to be a part of this organization.

Why I Volunteer: Luke Slytalker

Mon Oct 20, 2008

Why I Volunteer – Luke Slytalker

Why not? I do it for many reasons…the rush, the fun, the people, the sport. When I first came to this league, I tried to figure out what I could do that would really make me a part of the team. Announcing just seemed to click really well. I’m not saying it was an overnight success for me but it definitely came pretty easy.

I needed to learn the sport and how to announce it. To do that, I did a lot of hands on work with the microphone at practice. I also studied the rule book as well as what my team did at practice. You see, an Announcer is calling the bout from start to finish and is pretty much the voice that is telling you what you are seeing. That is two periods and a halftime that you need to know what you’re talking about and sound good while you’re doing it. To fill this time, you need to be able to call what is going on (play by play) during the bout, have the personality to add a little color and fun, and know your skaters. If don’t know your skaters, you can’t talk about them. So getting to know the sport and the skaters who do it is pivotal in calling the sport. Let’s face it, nobody comes to watch roller derby to hear you talk about the weather or what’s going on with the stock market. After some experience and lessons learned, I finally came into my own and established my announcing style. However, it is a constant learning process and I am always finding out new things.

Becoming involved in Roller Derby is like joining a nationwide extended family. You are not only close with your team; you get to be close to other teams all over the country. You will make friendships with a huge network of people that share one huge common interest. Whether I was announcing at home or on the road with the DDG, I have made some great friends along the way that I talk to on a regular basis. We trade ideas, styles, opinions, etc. Plus, you always have a couch to crash on when you are in a different city. I would have to say that my favorite event so far has been the East Coast Derby Extravaganza. It is hosted every year by the Philly Roller Girls. Instead of having a bout and seeing one team, this event hosts continuous bouts throughout the day with teams from all over the country. Plus, you get to check out all kinds of great products from the vendors that are setup at the event.

Since joining the DDG, I have traveled to some cool places, I have called a lot of exciting bouts, made a lot of friends, and had a great time along the way. I would encourage anyone to become involved in Roller Derby whether you want to skate, ref, or volunteer. It will change your life for the better.

-Tenacious Steve