Most of us probably have a preconceived notion of roller derby based largely on movies and TV shows.
We picture a no-holds-barred knockdown dragout that ends in bloodshed. The women who participate are also equally as terrifying.
The reality, at least around here, is these women are nurses, teachers, retail managers. A few times a week, they don skates and prepare for their next bout.
“I can tell you that roller derby isn’t something that everyone would do,” said Stephanie Herring or Shell Shock, as she is known in the derby community. “But you would be surprised as to what everyone’s day jobs are. You look out here and are like, ‘Wow, they’re playing roller derby.’ … It’s cool to me to see how all of these people living different lives can come together for something and join together and be an actual team.”
The Mississippi Brawl Stars, based in the Golden Triangle, formed more than decade ago. In its heyday, the team boasted a full roster and regularly filled the bleachers of the Columbus Fairgrounds with spectators for weekend bouts.
COVID-19 stopped that in its tracks.
“We had like 30 people before COVID,” said Lauralee Hann, also known as the Gluckstadt Hellcat. “Right now I would say we have maybe five or six that are active in this area.”
This has not stopped the team’s determination though.
The group still meets for practice twice a week and actively seeks to better themselves in the sport. Despite this, the public remains largely unaware of the team’s existence.
“The biggest thing is letting people know that we’re still here after COVID,” Hann said. “Everyone seems to think, ‘Oh, Columbus doesn’t do that anymore.’”
The group has been participating in area Christmas parades this holiday season. It has also begun hosting public events again, with the first one being held yesterday. This was the Brawl Stars’ first public event since November 2019.
The bout was a mashup, which is where players from all over the southeastern region came together in Columbus to play.
The proceeds from the door were to be donated to local charities, and the team also accepted two non-perishable food items in lieu of payment, to donate to local pantries.
The event was just the first of what team members hope to be many to come as the Brawl Stars attempt to make its comeback.
“I just hope we can do it,” Herring said. “I hope we can. I feel like this is a good step toward that. We are just going to have to work toward it.”
Before a full scale comeback can be organized, however, the team needs players.
Derby may seem intimidating to many, but the team members said it does not have to be that way.
“I think partly it’s because derby is a little intimidating,” said Andrea Heironimus, or Real Nasty as she is also known, who works as a nurse. “Derby is one of those things that really is all shapes, all sizes, all everything. It can help you on rough, tough things in real life. You can come and you can legally and safely hit people. They frown at that at work.”
Heironimus actually moved to the area from Arizona, and the Brawl Stars were a part of that decision. Her sister is also on the Brawl Stars.
“I am originally from Arizona and played with Tucson Roller Derby and flew out here a couple of times to play with the Brawl Stars as a dual roster player,” she said. “It was kind of one of my things (I thought about) when we decided we just wanted to up and move. I had to move to somewhere that had roller derby. Juli Allen’s my sister, so we get to play derby together. It’s one of our favorite pastimes.”
She currently serves as the president for the group, but will be relinquishing the position in favor of the treasurer’s seat next year.
The team is a nonprofit, which is why it has a board of directors.
“We are completely nonprofit,” Heironimus said. “We are also completely skater-run, so everything that we do, whether it’s fundraisers or community service or something like that, it’s all skater-run.”
People who have never done derby or even skated are encouraged to check it out if they are interested.
“I didn’t do derby before COVID, I actually saw a recruitment bootcamp flier and my best friend talked me into going with her, and then I liked it,” Herring said. “So, once I started coming regularly, I realized that it was lots of fun and it was something cool to do with your extra time. I just kind of hope we can recruit more people who enjoy doing it as well.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 45 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
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