Charlotte Roller Derby

Twenty Years in Their Words: A Tribute to Charlotte Roller Derby
an interview by Martin “the Clown” Barry

Charlotte Roller Derby celebrates twenty years in 2026. The league’s history has included hundreds of skaters and volunteers, numerous sponsors, fun halftime entertainment and games, merch, promotions, and one of the best competitive sports on the planet. If you have not been out to see roller derby yet, catch them during this 20^th anniversary season. A Clown will be happy to see you at the bouts and might even offer up a free sticker. I asked some of the past and present personnel to share their experience and what being part of the league has meant to them. Enjoy the following feedback from some of the best people I have had the privilege to know.

Katch Her in the Rye (2010-2014, 2016-2020)
When I moved to charlotte in 2008, I was missing that feeling of community. From the moment I watched CLTRG play and beat cape fear at Grady Cole in April 2010, I knew that’s where I belonged. As a skater owned and operated organization, I learned so much – from skating skills and strategy to fundraising, financial planning, and more. I loved my time leading the training committee, being league president, coaching B*Dazz, traveling and competing with the All Stars, and running Skate Charlotte! ECDX and Hawaii were two unforgettable experiences as well. I’m so grateful for my years with CLTRD. It introduced me to some truly incredible people.

Sadie Hellcat #2 (joined 2008)
I joined derby as a previous speed skater and loved the idea of Human NASCAR on skates! I loved the women Skating and punk rock attitudes! CLTRG, CLTRG! Lick’em!!!!!!

Pinkie TuscIDAREYA #314 (2008- I think 2013)
The beginning to me was the best. The DIY of it all, the exhibitions we used to put on, skating in parades, and showing up any and everywhere to promote. The rooftop scrimmage we did might be the best memory. It was so crazy! It seemed like the edge was right next to us, but it was so fun. Every part of it was fun and a new challenge. I miss those days. Creating the Golden Girls was also great plus The Vikings and Game of Thrones inspired drills I created and the space for retired skaters to be able to skate and have fun with it. I really miss those workouts.

Pamela AnderSlam #214 “The Power Skater” (2007-2014)
I skated my whole life and watched roller derby in the 70’s. I wanted to do it so much. I got my chance in 2007. Bucket List check off! It was one of the greatest experiences of my life.

Dyno-mite Daphne (2012-2014)
I loved skating already, but, when I joined, I just loved that it supports strong, fierce women. I loved doing parades and just hanging out with my teammates.

Crashberry JAM #50 (2014-2018 skater / 2018-2019 home team coach NoDa Narwhals)
Started skater school the year I turned 50 and I wish I had discovered roller derby while in my 20’s. Playing roller derby (and being a member of CLTRD) was one of the best decisions of my life. I learned so much and made lifelong friends. Traveling with the team was always fun. I still wish we would have skated through LAX!

Tammy Faye Breaker (2007-2011-ish?)
I love the lifelong friendships I have developed with the lovely people I skated with and around. Since leaving the league, we’ve celebrated weddings, births of children, and mourned the death of loved ones together. I had never had a group of strong women in my life until roller derby and now, even 10+ years later, I have people who are always, always there for me (and vice versa).

Dill With It (2017-2019)
I needed derby at this time in my life. I was unhappy in my marriage and looking for something. What I found was friendships, support, competition, and a physical outlet to support my mental health.

Ms. Guided Angel #416 (2009-2012 + a brief time again in 2019)
I was a lonely stay-at-home mom, miserable in my marriage. I was looking for an outlet and a way to make friends. I grew up skating and got excited when I heard about CLTRG! I went to a meet & greet, watched a scrimmage, and I was in! I made great friendships, traveled many places, and learned how to push myself hard both physically and mentally. Derby got me through some really tough times and I will always cherish it.

Devlin Syder / formerly Andromedroid (2006 first ever practice-2013, 2017-2019)
Joining roller derby gave me the confidence I needed to become my own person and break out of a long cycle of self-loathing and abuse. I made lifelong friends and learned to love myself along the way. In a big way, my life began with derby and I will always be grateful for the wonderful people, fun times, and amazing memories we made along the way.

Mixtape #1028 (2019-2020)
My derby stint was short, but it made a huge impact on my life. I first attended a home game for CLTRD in the summer of 2019. I told my twins that day I was going to be out there playing. I completed skills boot camp in October and went on the complete contact boot camp in November. I went to my first training clinic in Asheville in December. I tried out and made the CLT B Dazzlers in January. I was playing roller derby! I will never forget my first bout. I jammed on the first whistle of my first ever bout. I remember Kayla Reiland coaching me from the sidelines, always telling me to get lower. This journey
was short-lived. I sustained a neck injury in August 2020 that would keep me off track as a player forever. Roller derby was one of the best times of my life. I was stronger and more confident than I ever remember, and I met some of the best friends I’ll ever have. Hoping to one day get back out there to ref – although it won’t be for CLTRD.

Tequila, Leila #420 (2012-2016)
It was so much fun to learn roller derby and meet a lot of great friends. CLTRG. KRG.

DaBomb-chell #0898 (2010)
I love the family I gained, the achievements, and wearing skates… one of my true lifetime loves.

Margaret Snatch Her #99 (CLTRG 2008-2014, BRRD 2015-2024, North Bay Roller Derby 2025)
Derby was the first sport I ever played and it changed my life in ways I never expected. It gave me friendships that have lasted a lifetime and the incredible gift of being able to move anywhere in the country and immediately find a new family. Derby taught me strength, resilience, and how to show up as my best self. I carry those lessons with me every day, and I’m endlessly grateful for the community that helped shape who I am.

Vanna Down by the River (2008-2010)
I appreciated being accepted for being me.

Assaulty #78 (2015-2020)
My favorite part was the paperwork.

Hands on Gretel #96 (I think 2007-2010)
I was a single mother of a one and a two-year-old which was hard. My mom would come over after I was finished with the kids’ dinner and bath time. She would read books to them at bedtime and I would leave for practice. The exercise and the friendships got me through that difficult time. Also, I’ve always been competitive and sporty so it was a perfect fit for my life at that moment. The Cougars vs. the Kittens was a highlight. My kids coming and getting their faces painted was a great night. Also I’m grateful of the many memories of my mom now that she is gone.

Bunsen Burn Her (2013-2016)
Derby really helped me find myself, like myself more, and to find my people. While the city of Charlotte was not the right city for me, leaving the friends I made through derby was really difficult. But as I’ve continued my derby career, it’s been very joyful when I’ve run into any of those people again. Also, roller skating is like really fun!

Winona Ryd’her #321 (2008-2010)
Back when I started, you could join with no skating experience and I had not skated since childhood. I had recently gone through a difficult time in life and an uplifting group of women and a new challenge was just what I needed. I am amazed at what I was able to accomplish during my time with the league. A leg fracture ended my time as a skater but gave me some hardware and a really cool story!

Mis-Educated #3323 (2007-2009)
I read a newspaper article on The Charlotte Roller Girls and knew I had to give it a try. As a former speed skater, I had always been the most comfortable on wheels. I was going through a rocky divorce at the time, so derby was just the outlet and community I needed. They were some of the fondest and most fun times in my life!

Atomic Bomb Diggity #238 (2013-2014)
I hadn’t skated since childhood and skating again just felt like Zen. It also felt great to be surrounded and supported by all the other skaters.

Neutron Scar (NSO and referee 2014-2020)
I loved our crew of officials and we truly felt like a family. We traveled together to tournaments and other leagues’ games all the time. I also loved seeing the growth of the league in terms of talent and reputation. CLTRD developed a really great reputation in the officiating community. The growth of the team into one of the best in the Carolinas has been amazing to watch, both while I was involved and after I left.

Scarrot Cake #24 (2008 – 2010, until I went ref)
This game literally changed my entire life. It’s a sport that makes you really realize that you can, in fact, do the hard things. To this day I still say, “you can do anything for 2 minutes!”

Lucy Kwipment #29 (2006- 2011)
I was a founding member and we flew by the seat of our pants. I was fortunate to skate with the OG’s that worked tirelessly to make it happen. I marvel at the amazing group of humans that I have had the pleasure to know. We created something so much bigger than ourselves, and I am very proud of that.

Ella Titzgerald (B-Dazz coach 2008-2014)
The diversity, the camaraderie, the family that came out of it is what I love. I enjoyed teaching as well as learning and bringing it all together in use at a bout. I truly miss it and everyone. Oh, I almost forgot! My final game as coach with K-Rye was great. We both retired that night and, by chance, while walking to the after party we came upon a store front (who were apparently also retiring) that read “Happy Retirement” in the window. We grabbed a picture under it.

Ova Thrower #27 (2006 – 2007 founding member / 1st president)
I was looking for something that pushed me out of my comfort zone and a community to connect with. We rolled our sleeves up, strapped our skates on, and built something that grew.

Hellin Felon #13 (2006-2017)
It was rewarding believing in myself and my league so hard that what we could create was limitless. The endurance of a DIY community and the most beautiful people to build it together was awesome.

Mustang Stella #815 (2010-2016)
My favorite was the people and all of the friendships we created along the way plus the fact it just feels so good to be on skates.

Do U Juana (2010-2014)
Playing my very first bout against BRRG and getting lead jammer was something I’ll never forget. Nothing compares to the feeling of lining up on the jammer line.

Ducky Long Stockings #777 (2006-2009)
Being a part of something so driven was great.

Optimus Fine #32 (2008-2012)
A client told me about CLTRG and I went to the first bout at Bojangles. I joined right after. Those were definitely the best years with so many friends and good times!

Drew FearMEmore #711 (2007-2014 All Stars/training committee)
I was a mom who was constantly supporting her spouse/girls with soccer and I decided I wanted something for myself. I loved skating and the fact that derby was so physical. Aside from amazing teammates and anyone involved with the league, I have to say my absolute favorite was beating the crap out of people. All my frustrations were left on that track.

Pollyannarchy #9mm (2006 founding member-2013)
We made this league from the ground up. We had craft meetings at peoples’ houses until we found a place to practice. We learned how to play the sport. We learned how to train others. We learned how to run a business, lay down a sport court, and all about bout production. We did everything together; parties, holidays, travel, and life. We spent more time together than we did with family. There was so much transformation going on in the lives of the skaters at time. Everyone played a valid and important role. We were fully in our power and felt untouchable! That is, until we were knocked on our butts. Then we would stand up and say, “thank you, may I have another”. I love what we built together.

Mugger Teresa #71 (2010 to 2014, 2019-2020)
I had never skated before! I will always be grateful for the group of women who encouraged me to reach beyond my limits.

Sarcastic Glitch #72 (2013-2016, 2019-2023)
My favorite part was coming back to skate out of retirement (thanks, Alicia Crouch-Kozlowski). We had a great crew all the way around. I was super stoked that we had Uncle Paul, Paul Brooks, coaching. I felt really strong coming back: more comfortable plus more confident in myself and my skills on skates. We did great things those couple of years! I had the best time, up until I had to retire again for injury. I’m seriously grateful for all the people I had the opportunity to meet; people I never would have if it weren’t for derby.

Poco Loco #8 (2013-2018)
I made some amazing lifelong friends in the league and I loved how close the team was. I started out because I had my daughter and wanted to do something that was just for me.