INDEX
THE DA STAFF PICK The RIF6 CUBE pico video projector from Amazon PAGE 2
WVU’s Independent Student Newspaper
1. Culture 2. WV History/Crime 3. News 4. Culture 5. Opinion 6. Chill
THURSDAY MARCH 22, 2018
Morgantown Roller Derby ready to roll over competition
7. Gamer 8. Sports 9. Sports 10. Sports 11. Classifieds 12. Ad
danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu
A LOOK INSIDE
Roller Vixens will compete in a double header against Dutchland Derby Foxfire,Dutchland Blitz on April 28 Meet the badass women of the Roller Vixens
BY JORDYN JOHNSON CULTURE EDITOR Athleticism, passion, camaraderie and competition are four things that Morgantown’s all-female, flat track roller derby league has brought to women around the community since 2010. “Morgantown Roller Derby was formed to provide a league for local skaters,” said WVU undergraduate student representative Melanie Boucher. “Morgantown Roller Derby works hard to be a competitive force on and off the track.” The Roller Vixens aim for “excellence in team and personal achievements by maintaining they highest standards of athleticism and sportsmanship.” “Morgantown Roller Derby also fosters positive relationships between our league, other leagues and the community through volunteer and service work and acting as representatives of the greater Morgantown area,” Boucher said. Roller derby is a competitive contact sport played on roller skates. Each team has five players speeding around the track at once. Teams consist of blockers, a jammer and a pivot. Blockers and the pivot make a wall to stop the movement of the opposing team’s jammer. The jammer’s job is to break through the wall of blockers to score points. A jammer scores points by legally passing through the hips of the opposing team’s blockers. “The pivot acts as a blocker unless the jammer passes the star,” said Boucher. “At that time, the pivot will become the jammer, and the original jammer will become a blocker.” There are many rules that relate to the legality of passing and blocking, and they are enforced by
It is common for roller derby team members to use nicknames. Here are a few of Morgantown’s:
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• Deja Boom # 33 • Polish Killbossy #12 • Madea K Jefa #4 PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK
The Roller Vixens compete in the 2017 Jingle Brawl at Christmas time. the referees. The Morgantown Roller Vixens are an all-female league; however, there are leagues available for men and juniors who might want to try out the sport. “Morgantown Roller Derby Accepts women age 18 and older,” Boucher said. “There is also a need for referees and non-skating officials. Referees and non-skating officials of any gender are accepted.” For those interested in participating in roller derby, Boucher explained how they may go about doing so. “In order to compete in roller derby, a minimum skills test must first be passed,” Boucher said. “There are training sessions held which teach these skills.” “At the end of these sessions there is a test that is offered,” Boucher said. “Upon completion of the skills test and rules test, a skater becomes eligible for rostering.” Boucher suggests visiting the Roller Vixens’ website at morgantownrollervixens.com or contacting
them via Facebook to get more information on any of the positions open for play. Also, for more information on the skills needed to compete visit the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association’s website at wftda.com. Roller derby is nothing like how movies such as “Whip It” portray it to be. “Movies are not an accurate representation of roller derby,” Boucher said. “Movies have made roller derby appear more violent than it is.” While roller derby is still a contact sport, the rules and regulations surrounding it make it safe for participants to play. If you are interested in watching the Morgantown Roller Vixens compete, they will be competing in a double header on April 28. Tickets can be purchased on their website or at the door on the day of the event.
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WVU to advance
INFORMATION VIA MORGANTOWNROLERVIXENS.COM
A big win over Marshall advances them in the NCAA tournament to the Sweet 16 page 8