Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for June 2014 is Rainbow Frite!

Name: Rainbow Frite
Team: The Rushin' Rollettes, BRG All-Stars
Number: 5 Stars
Position(s): Blocker
Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 3

How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“I was actually recruited by a couple of players that have since retired, Kitty Chaos and Victoria’s Secret Weapon. I work with them and they thought I would be a good fit for BRG. So I showed up to a practice and actually got really busy with work and didn’t go back for a couple of months. Once I returned, I was drafted to the Venomous Vixens and only had a few practices before I played my first game! After that first game, I was addicted.”

Explain the origin of your derby name.
“I had kicked around several names, one being Abbey Rogue to appease my obsession with the Beatles. My husband, Coach Sk8 O’Masochist, and I were sitting around trying to come up with ideas. He came up with a lot of names… but Rainbow Frite, taken from Rainbow Brite, stuck with me. I am an 80s child, and who doesn’t love Rainbow Brite? The name stuck and I couldn’t imagine having any other name!”

Who inspires you on the track?
“There are so many people that inspire me. I have to give a shout-out to the original Venomous Vixens. Without the OVV, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Coach Chadillac, Coach I for an Eye, Coach Jon, Coach Daddy Rampage, and all the ladies on the team taught me what derby was all about. All of the ladies on that team pushed me, but I have to give a special shout-out to Hott-ness Monster. She continuously pushed me in practices, sometimes literally, which enabled me to push my body to limits I didn’t know I could reach. She taught me a lot of what I know when it comes to blocking and I can’t thank her enough for taking the time to help me out. Coach Sk8 O’Masochist is someone who inspires me every day. He pushes me and he pushes our team to be the best we can be. He has turned into such an amazing coach and I couldn’t imagine derby without him. Des’Amator, my derby wife and partner in crime, continues to inspire me to work harder in practice as well as outside of practice. She is an amazing derby player and I am so lucky to have her on my team. I’m am also obsessed with DGD! There are way too many skaters and coaches to list, but they are amazing people and anytime I get to spend with them on and off the track is a privilege. To all the ladies and gentlemen in BRG, you are my family and I am so glad to have you in my life!”

How has roller derby changed your life?
“Before derby, I didn’t really know a lot of people in town. We had moved to St. Joseph in the fall of 2009 and didn’t really get out much. As soon as I joined BRG, I started making friends. Those friends have turned into my sisters and brothers. I am amazed everyday by the community feeling we have in our league. If someone is in need, our league is right there making sure everyone is taken care of. I have never seen so many selfless people in one spot. I feel that is the case with other leagues as well, such as Dead Girl Derby and Benton County Derby. I love this league and am very thankful to have such an amazing support system!”

What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Rainbow Frite?
“My team brings out the best in me. It is such an honor to skate with the Rushin’ Rollettes. Everyone gives their all every single game and in every single practice. My teammates push me to keep getting better and to keep showing up to every single practice so I can better myself for my team and the league. Plus, hitting people is pretty fun too.”

Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for May 2014 is Poisonberry of the Venomous Vixens!

Name: Poisonberry
Team: The Venomous Vixens
Number: U2
Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 1

How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“A few seasons ago, I contacted Notorious L.I.Z. and she game me practice information. I chickened out, though, because I didn’t know if I could ‘survive’ with my small size! Around January 2014, I happened to hear L.I.Z. on the radio announcing open enrollment and they were looking for girls. I had also ran into G.I. Dang, a fellow Maysville student back in the day, and she encouraged me to try it. My interest was also fueled by my competitive nature and participation in several sports since I was young. I thought, why not try roller derby, you only live once!”

Explain the origin of your derby name.
“My friends and family had several ideas from BlackNBlue Berry to BonyMony. I posted on Facebook asking for ideas, and my cousin, Vance, came up with Poisonberry.”

Who inspires you on the track?
“Between watching the Blacksnake Rollergirls and Dead Girl Derby, each has their own style and I try to learn from everyone. My teammates and coaches on the Venomous Vixens inspire me to keep working hard and have fun while I am doing it.”

How has roller derby changed your life?
“Definitely, I have met some wonderful people. From the skaters, fans, and people on the sidelines, everyone is helpful, encouraging, and fun to be around. Physically, surely I will end up a tougher gal. Right now I mop the floor up, but I just try to get right back up and keep rollin’.”

What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Poisonberry?
“How long do they consider a new roller derby girl fresh meat? Either way, I still consider myself a newbie and I am still learning skate techniques and the strategies of the game. My coach says it can take a whole season to really get it. Fans may have to be patient and catch future bouts, the best of Poisonberry is yet to come!”

Our featured Blacksnake Rollergirl for April 2014 is Notorious L.I.Z. of the Jesse Janes!

Name: Notorious L.I.Z.
Team: The Jesse Janes
Number: 3X
Seasons with the Blacksnake Rollergirls: 3
Seasons with Dead Girl Derby: 2

How did you discover the Blacksnake Rollergirls?
“Well I guess you could say the Blacksnake Roller Girls found me! I had been playing with Dead Girl Derby and was finishing my second season when I realized that I just could not afford the commute to Kansas City anymore. I didn’t want to give up roller derby, so I asked DGD to help me start roller derby in St Joseph. I wanted to bring something I loved so much to other women, but mostly I wanted the opportunity to continue playing! So with a lot of help from DGD, I started Blacksnake Roller Girls. I guess you could say BRG is my love child.”

Explain the origin of your derby name.
“The lovely Ms. Kara Whiplash came up with it. She said that every time she say my name in the league group forum, Notorious L.I.Z. popped in her head, and it stuck. It helped that I couldn’t think of anything more creative on my own! I almost was Molotov Manley, or Flippin’ Pipkin. I do still get name envy every now and then, when I hear a name that’s really creative and fun!”

Who inspires you on the track?
“You really gonna ask me that when I skate with so many inspiring women?! Sheesh, put a girl on the spot, whydoncha! I honestly have to say, and I’ve told her many times, that I wanna be like Jamalamadingdong when I grow up.”

How has roller derby changed your life?
“It has helped me earn a new respect for myself, and remind me that I’m not a sum of my titles (mom, wife, boss, etc). I realized that it is true that one person really can make a big difference in a lot of peoples’ lives. It has also given me the opportunity to be just Liz for a few hours a week, just be me, and not have to be cook, maid, wife, lover, mom, nurse, detective, shoe locator, taxi, disciplinarian, snuggle giver, milk dispenser, baby soother, juice pourer, mediator, and reminder. It’s an amazing feeling to shed those things for a couple hours, put on my skates, and glide.”

What is it about roller derby that brings out the best in Notorious L.I.Z.?
“Since I get to put myself out there for people to watch, I get to be outgoing and have fun doing it! No one wants to watch a roller derby girl who isn’t enjoying it, or at least fighting to win! You wouldn’t think by watching me, but I’m quite the homebody. Having to buckle up 3+ kids in a minivan (that right there takes more time than driving to the store) means it easier to stay home. I’ve has certainly mellowed out a lot. My mom used to call me a party-in-a-box. So the showmanship part of roller derby, hands down, gives me that outlet to be the extrovert that I really am.”