This weekend, as the Shotgun Sheilas captured their fifth Fountain City Roller Derby house championship, the legendary Coach Wyatt announced she would be stepping down as head coach of the Black & Grey.
We caught up with Coach Wyatt after Saturday night’s game to get her thoughts on derby retirement, the 2022 season, and coming back from COVID after two years on the sidelines:
“Coming out of COVID, I was worried. I didn’t know what derby looked like after two-plus years away. But the second we had our roster, the hard work began for the Sheilas.
Coach Wyatt
From the vets down to the newbies, everyone bought into the team and trusted each other. Aneeda Hurtcha has always been our rock, our leader, and together, we all built something that I think is pretty special. They fought for, and earned, this championship.
Saying I’m proud of the Sheilas (and to be a Sheila) is an understatement—not just this roster, but all that came before. I’ve been a Sheila a long time, and I give credit to roller derby for much of the life that I have. It’s bittersweet, but I couldn’t have scripted it better, going out on a three-peat.”
A Thank-You
There’s really no way to properly and completely thank someone like Coach Wyatt for everything she’s brought to the league, but we can sure try.
Many people these days don’t even realize she was originally a Deadly Siren waaaay back in 2011 before KC Derby Digest was even born. Her derby name was Attorney Outlaw.
The Sirens even faced off against the Lethals for the trophy that year, although the Lethals came out on top.
In the years that followed—beginning in 2012, under Coach Wyatt’s leadership—the Shotgun Sheilas would play in the championship game every single season there was one with no exceptions:
- 2012 vs. Lovely Lethals (Sheilas win)
- 2013 vs. Royal Pains (Sheilas lose)
- 2014 vs. Royal Pains (Sheilas win)
- 2015 vs. Royal Pains (Sheilas lose)
- 2016 vs. Lovely Lethals (Sheilas lose)
- 2017 vs. Royal Pains (Sheilas lose)
- 2018 vs. Deadly Sirens (Sheilas win)
- 2019 vs. Deadly Sirens (Sheilas win)
- 2020 — no champion (COVID)
- 2021 — no champion (COVID)
- 2022 vs. Lovely Lethals (Sheilas win)
That’s leadership. That’s dedication. That’s a commitment to excellence you can’t buy.
And that’s who Coach Wyatt is to this league: one of the most beloved and well-respected players and coaches to ever take the track in Kansas City—a go-getter who’s gone and gotten, simple as that.
Taking nothing away from their incredible skaters and assistant coaches, I think we can all agree that the Shotgun Sheilas owe their dynasty in great part to the unmatched talents and relentless pursuit of perfection Coach Wyatt has demonstrated over the last decade.
We will certainly miss her intensity and laser focus trackside, but we look forward to cheering on the Sheilas (and all the Fountain City teams) right next to her in the stands in the coming seasons.
Thank you, Coach.
For absolutely everything.
