You give me 'derby fever': Mount Pleasant skaters spark interest in increasingly-popular sport
Lily Angiolini formed the Mount Pleasant Roller Derby League in the hopes of promoting “derby fever” around the area.
The Rosebush real estate agent and stained glass artist had always enjoyed skating whether it was at Spinning Wheels, 1241 N. Mission Road, or the Roll Arena, 2909 Bay City Road, in Midland. However, the real idea behind the derby got started when Angiolini watched "Blood on the Flat Track" with her husband one night, a film about a Seattle roller derby league.
“It was a spark that ignited a huge flame,” Angiolini said. “It was really interesting, and after that I started researching more about roller derby and it was just what I thought it would be.”
Women involved in the league range from their teens to their 40s, made up of CMU students, alumni and employees.
There are also roles for men to fill in the league. Several men already have stepped in to act as referees and non-skating officials.
“We are always looking for more skaters,” said Kristy Saxton, league secretary and player.
Saxton has been with the Mount Pleasant Roller Derby League since the beginning when she found the league's Facebook page.
“I thought it was totally awesome to have something like this start up in the area," Saxton said. "It really is such a great opportunity."
After receiving non-profit corporation status, the league will take steps to start competing against other leagues sometime next fall.
For now, the women spend their time competing against themselves to prepare for the true competition to begin.
“Right now, we’re learning together," Angiolini said. "We have a lot of skaters that still need to learn the basics, and we have a lot of skaters that have their basic skills, but need to be trained in derby."
The women are also attending practices all over the state. Many skaters are practicing with leagues such as the Flint City Derby Girls, as well as the Lansing Derby Vixens.
The league also hopes to attract a few sponsors from the community.
Holly Hansen-Watson, a Harrison senior, dedicated a business class project to putting together a sponsorship package for the derby to exhibit the league to various businesses.
“I think we are going to be a very large part of the community,” said Watson, who is doing the project for ENT 492: Special Issues in Entrepreneurship.
