Tank Goodness

Name:
Tank Goodness

Number:
311

Which position do you play?
Blammer… I’m a blocker and a jammer.

What is your most memorable roller derby moment?
The July 17, 2010 bout against BERG. It was my first season, and my first home bout with the All-Stars (Diables Rouges.)  We painted our faces like Unholy Horror, one of our best blockers at the time, who had just injured her ankle and was unable to play. The odds were stacked against us, but everyone pulled together as a team and that night we beat Big Easy. It was epic!

Who is your favorite roller derby player?
Lulu Demon of the Terminal City Rollergirls. Besides being one of the coolest people on the planet, she’s living the derby dream. She’s an amazing jammer/blocker who gets paid to travel the world to play and coach derby, as well as the genius entrepreneur behind the Pivotstar brand. I had the privilege of training under her at the 2011 Blood and Thunder Training Camp in Corpus Christi and I’ll never forget it.  

What is your favorite thing about roller derby?

Tank Goodness jamming courtesy of Kelly Lasseigne photography

My RSRD family! Growing up, I played sports on lots of teams but I never really made close friends with my teammates. I always felt different, and in my free time I’d rather hang out with the misfits and non-jock types with whom I ultimately felt more connected. Derby is different though. With derby, most of my best friends ARE my teammates.  They know that I have their back and I know that they have mine. We’re a family on and off the track.

What type of gear do you prefer?
My skates are Reidell 265’s with Reactor plates, Bones Reds bearings, and Radar Shadow wheels. I love them. I also love my Pro Design wrist guards, 187 Killer Pro knee pads, Gladiator knee gaskets, and rubberized Triple 8 Brainsaver helmet.  I always suggest that new players invest in good pads right away, even if it means having to skate a season in cheaper skates.

What do you do when you’re not playing derby?
I work about 50-60 hours per week grooming dogs at a shop in Gonzales. When I’m not there and not playing derby, I’m usually spending time with my family and friends, or at a meeting/event that pertains to derby.

Do you have a favorite skating song/theme song?
Favorite calm-me-down-before-a-bout song: “Hide and Seek” by Imogen Heap. Favorite pump-me-up skating song:  “Eyes of the South” by Down.

Is there any teammate with whom your work best?
My wife and blocking partner, Raising Pains, of course. Our blocking styles are very similar and we share a brain… I know what she’s thinking and vice versa.

Do you have a favorite sign or cheer that you’ve seen in the audience?
A few people have made signs for me and I’ve loved them all. It’s an honor. For one bout, a bunch of girls made WWTD (What Would Tank Do) shirts for me where the “T” was a tank. Super cool.

Did you play any sports before roller derby?
Yes. Too many. I competed in soccer, dance, basketball, softball, swim team, gymnastics, and decathlon for a number of years.

Sour Patch Kid

Name: Sour Patch Kid
Number: 141grams
What are the reasons behind your derby name?
I’m a big kid so I wanted something to reflect that. The tag line “Sour. Sweet. Gone” is a perfect description of me. My number is 141grams because it’s the size of my favorite bag of Sour Patch Kids.
Which position do you play?
Generally a pivot. I can jam when needed but love to block in the front of the pack. I have been known to be a panty chaser.
What is your favorite thing about roller derby?
Sharing the knowledge I have obtained with my team. I was able to lead the fresh meat program in 2011 and I enjoyed every minute of it. I think I like coaching even more than playing.
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned playing roller derby?
Derby girls all learn and play differently. I was shocked to learn that quite a few ladies have never played a team sport before roller derby. Training and working with 14 different personalities is the biggest challenge yet also the greatest reward when we all work together to improve.
Who is your favorite roller derby player?
Smarty Pants #4.0. She is my derby crush because she is known not only for her skill on the track, but her simple way of explaining things and coaching.
What do you do when you’re not playing derby?

Sour Patch Kid skating

I work at the LSU AgCenter as a Proposal Specialist. Basically I review budgets and submit proposals. Otherwise, its all derby
Do you have any advice to anyone thinking about playing derby?
Become great on your skates before even trying out. I have learned through teaching the fresh meat that in order to be a good blocker or jammer, it all goes back to footwork. Learning any advanced skills before being comfortable skating is a waste of time.
Is there any teammate with whom you work best?
I work best with a heavy hitter because I can stop the jammer and they can take her out for me.
Do you have a favorite skating song or a theme song? Well most of the songs that pump me up are inappropriate to skate out to for a bout because I like rap/hip hop genre for that. However, when I had trouble passing my 25n5 my first year, I sang “I’m a Little Tea Pot” over and over in my head and it totally worked. Don’t ask me to explain that one, because I dunno
Did you play any sports before roller derby?
I used to play sports year round in high school and then moved to intramural softball in college. When I graduated college I was looking for something else to do and derby filled that hole.

Moxie Balboa

Name: Moxie Balboa
Number: TKO
Derby position: Jammer/Blocker
What are the reasons behind your derby name and number?
Love the movie “Rocky” – wanted something strong, but catchy, that would have a good “nickname” to go with it, so Moxie worked perfectly. Plus, “moxie” means confidence and courage, so I thought that was the perfect derby name.
What is your favorite thing about derby?
Winning!
What is the most valuable thing you’ve learned playing derby?
That I can actually do this. I’d never been on a team before and never realized how much you learn about yourself and how much you improve on a personal level by playing team sports.
What is your most memorable derby moment?
During my very first bout, since we were winning and could afford to let me screw up, I was finally put out to jam during the last couple of jams, and I got a grand slam. Heidi Volatile ran out to meet me on the track after the final whistle blew and slammed me on top of the helmet with her wrist guard and congratulated me. I was so proud I lived!; Other memorable moment – when we beat Houston. I’ve never seen our team so surprised and overwhelmed with pride in ourselves.
What are your goals in roller derby?
To keep improving and learn by challenging myself against players better than I am.

Moxie Jamming (May '11)

What first attracted you to derby?
Just watching my first bout was enough to bring me in to try it myself
What type of gear do you prefer?
No gear preference, but I love Poison Slim wheels and Jukes.
What do you do when you’re not playing derby?
I work at Woman’s Hospital – my job title is “Human Protections Administrator.” Essentially, I review research protocols and make sure the consent forms are sound and follow FDA and HHS regulations. I also am a research assistant on a study about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. I work as a liaison for the Institutional Review Board in the research department. When I’m not at work or derby, I love playing with my kids and doing “mom” stuff. And reading. I’m always reading. Sometimes writing, but mainly reading!
Do you have a favorite skating song or a theme song?
When I’m doing 25 in 5 I love to listen to The Fratellis. For a skating theme song, any rap by Rock Bottom about RSRD is my first choice.
Do you have a favorite sign or cheer you’ve seen in the audience?
C-Murdaa made a poster with my picture on it that just said “MILF.” Best cheer ever.
Did you play any sports before roller derby?
Not at all, unless you count Little League! Sports never interested me very much until I saw roller derby.
Do you have any advice to anyone thinking about playing derby:
Try it. You can do it.