08/21/2013
Windy City Rollers (WCR) invited me to go check out a practice/scrimmage under one condition... to keep their practice facility secret! I agreed. When the day came I was told to meet them at "X" location and to wait for further instructions... So I get to location "X" and out of no where I get blind folded and someone puts head phones on me with blue grass music full blast! Time passed and I was carried up stairs and was FINALLY able to see!! Let me tell you this place is bad ass! Just like a bat cave and everything! All kidding aside I was able to watch these women practice and let me tell you they give it everything they have in these practices! I learned that these skaters have regular 9-5 jobs like you and I do and still make the effort to make it to practice for 2 - 3 hours or even more. Roller derby has really been an experience that I will never forget. I believe that the women of roller derby truly do this for the love of the game! Why do you ask? Because these women do it for... FREE! Yea read right FREE! I bet if you took away half the salary of these basketball, baseball, football, and hockey players they would go on strike or wouldn't care for the sport! Skaters truly have a passion for roller derby, it's their sport and if you ask any of them they can tell you the full history of their sport! Mack Savage of the Manic Attackers is currently injured but that didn't stop her from giving me the 411 about derby! She explained all the rules and was able to answer every question I had. Mack was also able to grant me a few interviews. So I asked a few of the skaters the same questions just to see how different they really are. I interviewed 5 skaters.
Ruth Enasia- I say the Midwest because I'm from Iowa and Kansas but moved to Chicago in 2004. I skate under the name Ruth Enasia
themonkeysspoon.com - what's the background on your derby name?
Ruth Enasia - it's very simple... rhymes with euthanasia. I have nothing to to do with the medical field but it was a name no one else had taken so yea not very exciting.
themonkeysspoon.com - How long have you been with the Windy City Rollers (WCR)?
Ruth Enasia - I've been with the WCR since 2008 and I tried out in Sept of 2007
themonkeysspoon.com - Is there anyone that intimidates you?
Ruth Enasia - I dunno about intimidating but there are definitely players who are good and you've seen them skate for a long time and in a way you look up to them and are in awe when you see them and they are skilled. But there is no one I'm scared to go up against! But there are other players that are bigger threats than others.
themonkeysspoon.com - Have you had any other sporting experiences?
Ruth Enasia - I did i grew up playing sports. I mostly played Basketball and Volleyball. I'm 6'1" so those are the tall people sports. I played 1 year of college basketball at a very small JR college in Kansas but nothing crazy. After college I tried to stay active with the Chicago sports activities. How ever I was looking for something more competitive. So when roller derby was on my radar I decided to go for it.
themonkeysspoon.com - What do you do for fun?
Ruth Enasia - If I'm not doing roller derby, I'm usually listening to music at home, in the car, or at a show. I really enjoy beer, I work for a beer company. Love craft beer.
themonkeysspoon.com - 1 thing your team mates don't know about you?
Ruth Enasia - I speak French and I worked for the French Trade Commission for a few years.
themonkeysspoon.com - Any special talents?
Ruth Enasia - I can sing.
Monica Lewhipsky - Born in Texas now live in Chicago.
themonkeysspoon.com - what's the background on your derby name?
Monica Lewhipsky - I went thru like a million names, trying to think of some of something funny. I'm a big Wu Tang fan so I was thinking Putang Clan but just in the end my friend came up with it and I love it! I love America!
themonkeysspoon.com - How long have you been with the Windy City Rollers (WCR)?
Monica Lewhipsky - Almost a year. This is my second season, my first was with The Aurora 88s
themonkeysspoon.com - Is there anyone that intimidates you?
Monica Lewhipsky - I would say most people. The thing about derby is that it doesn't matter how big they are I feel like you win if you keep getting back up. I feel like I'm winning even when I'm not winning.
themonkeysspoon.com - Have you had any other sporting experiences?
Monica Lewhipsky - Um no I've never been an athlete. Learning how to be competitive was very hard for me cause these girls are so nice but once they get on the track and the whistle blows they want to kill you! I also ran a marathon!
themonkeysspoon.com - What do you do for fun?
Monica Lewhipsky - Before derby I played in a band, I love playing guitar I love rock and roll.
themonkeysspoon.com - 1 thing your team mates don't know about you?
Monica Lewhipsky - I really love rap music! Actually during college I use to lay down the hooks for rap companies.
themonkeysspoon.com - Any special talents?
Monica Lewhipsky - I'm a big activist. I just like being very active in the community.
themonkeysspoon.com - Can you tell me a little bit about yourself and where you're from?
Drew Grits - I'm from Montana. I'm a bit county.
themonkeysspoon.com - what's the background on your derby name?
Drew Grits - I chose Drew Grits after the name the movie True Grit. I have sort of Country roots and I like the Western play on True Grits.
themonkeysspoon.com - How long have you been with the Windy City Rollers (WCR)?
Drew Grits - 2 years
themonkeysspoon.com - Is there anyone that intimidates you?
Drew Grits - I think everyone is intimidating. It's really a scary thing when you first start roller skating.
themonkeysspoon.com - Have you had any other sporting experiences?
Drew Grits - No I didn't play sports growing up. I use to ski and do snow boarding. I also do yoga. So this is really the first athletic thing I've stuck to!
themonkeysspoon.com - What do you do for fun?
Drew Grits - I'm a writer. I write for the Chicago Sun-Times. I take care of my 3 kids
themonkeysspoon.com - 1 thing your team mates don't know about you?
Drew Grits - I once took a ride on goat and I'm a vegetarian for 14 years.
themonkeysspoon.com - Any special talents?
Dre Grits - I can play spoons!
themonkeysspoon.com - Where you're from?
AliSin Chains - I'm from Minnesota
themonkeysspoon.com - what's the background on your derby name?
AliSin Chains - Well I knew it had to be something to do with music I'm kinda of a music junky. So I Music is my motivator and it helps me out I listen to it on my way to practice.
themonkeysspoon.com - How long have you been with the Windy City Rollers (WCR)?
AliSin Chains - About 3 years
themonkeysspoon.com - Is there anyone that intimidates you?
AliSin Chains - When i first started absolutely I think the person I was most intimidated by, but only cause I held her in such high regards watching her skate and then playing against her, is Ol' Drrrty Go-Go. She was a smart and fast skater and also a HARD hitter!
themonkeysspoon.com - Have you had any other sporting experiences?
AliSin Chains - I've played softball both slow and fast pitch since 3rd grade.
themonkeysspoon.com - What do you do for fun?
AliSin Chains - When I'm not skating, I usually like to ride a motorcycle or go to a live show.
themonkeysspoon.com - 1 thing your team mates don't know about you?
AliSin Chains - I'm a big softy!
themonkeysspoon.com - Any special talents?
AliSin Chains - I will take anything anyone says and turn it into a song!
themonkeysspoon.com - Where you're from?
SpartaKris - I'm from the North West suburbs of Chicago.
themonkeysspoon.com - what's the background on your derby name?
SpartaKris - I'm Italian and Spartacus was an Italian Revolutionary and my name is Kristina so I merged the 2 together and that's how I got SpartaKris
themonkeysspoon.com - How long have you been with the Windy City Rollers (WCR)?
SpartaKris - 4 years
themonkeysspoon.com - Is there anyone that intimidates you?
SpartaKris - OMG yes! Ol' Drrrty Go-Go is who I wanted to be when I grew up and also when I got drafted I went to a derby practice and she just laid me on my ass! Every time I have to go against her she is like the one person who makes me forget what I'm doing cause I just know she is going to hit me really hard!
themonkeysspoon.com - Have you had any other sporting experiences?
SpartaKris - I use to play basketball and volleyball.
themonkeysspoon.com - What do you do for fun?
SpartaKris -Roller Derby is fun! I love to go to concerts. I just try to relax when I'm not doing Roller Derby
themonkeysspoon.com - 1 thing your team mates don't know about you?
SpartaKris - I'm really sensitive but I'm very good at hiding it.
themonkeysspoon.com - Any special talents?
SpartaKris - I can paint pretty well and I really like writing.
THINGS THAT I LEARNED
Ol' Drrrty Go-Go Hits really hard!
You ask what is your Derby name not your Derby nickname!
Skaters are very nice yet very tough!
They have really kick ass Derby Names!
