It is often said that ideas pop up when least expected.
Jodi O'Neill is living proof.
At a friend's house for a New Year's Eve celebration in
2004, one of O'Neill's friends showed her pictures online
of a Texas roller derby league.
This led the mild-mannered teaching assistant to eventually
become co-founder of Detroit Derby Girls (DDG), one of
the nation's top roller derby leagues. In addition to lacing
up the skates, she also is president of the board of directors
for the women-owned and women-managed league.
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LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: Jodi
O'Neill, an assistant teacher in
EMU's GearUp office by day,
transforms into "Crash Baby" as a
member of the Detroit Derby Girls
at night. Photo courtesy of
http://www.detroitderbygirls.com |
This position is a drastic contrast from her day job.
O'Neill is an assistant teacher for Gear Up, a college
preparatory program that started at Eastern Michigan University
a year and a half ago. O'Neill and her co-workers
follow at-risk, high-poverty students beginning in seventh
grade until they graduate from high school in Wayne-Westland,
Willow Run and Ypsilanti school districts. The program
provides tutoring, after-school programs, field trips and
additional support in school and social skills for the
students and parents.
After mentoring and providing consistency for students,
O'Neill, who is known as "Crash Baby" to her derby teammates,
goes to the track for an "aggressive, fun, do-it-yourself
sport. There are not a lot of sports that are just for
women. I love the aggressive aspect," said O'Neill.
Roller derby is a full-contact sport on roller skates,
which are called quads. According to O'Neill, the game
requires a lot of strategy and there are restrictions on
hitting. For a complete list of rules and regulations,
go to http://www.wftda.com/official-rules/.
Every three months, the DDG conducts try-outs where interested
participants must pass a skills test to prove agility on
skates and proper falls. But, after Drew Barrymore's film, "Whip
It," hits the big screen, O'Neill estimates limiting tryouts
to once or twice a year. The film is about a 16-year-old
girl who lies about her age to participate in a roller
derby league.
O'Neill knows from past experience how media focus increases
interest in her sport.
"After the A&E reality show, 'Roller Girls,' we had
60 recruits, when the average had previously been 15-25.
This Hollywood movie is going to blow the roof off," said
O'Neill. "I have no expectations. Anything can happen."
Besides recognition of the sport, O'Neill is looking forward
to Barrymore's film because the DDG and the Grand Raggidy
Roller Girls, of Grand Rapids, were personally asked to
be part of the film. O'Neill has not been told of her role
but, by virtue of her position as president of the DDG,
she has personally spoken to Barrymore.
"She is so nice. Drew wants to make the film as true to
the derby world as she can," said O'Neill.
The DDG have four home teams and two travel teams, which
are chartered through the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
(WFTDA). Their philosophy ensures democracy: "By the skaters,
for the skaters."
According to their Web site, the WFTDA is "designed to
promote flat track derby by facilitating athletic ability,
sportswomanship and the goodwill among member leagues."
The DDG have approximately 100-120 members, including
skaters, referees and full-time volunteers. During their
first year of operation, only 15 leagues existed throughout
the country. Currently, there are almost 300 nationally
and several international teams.
Although the DDG have been very successful since the beginning
and expect continued growth, the owners do not profit from
the business. Because the business is women-owned and women-managed,
all members own an equal share. All of the money is directed
back to the league.
"We sold out almost every game last year, but we're still
fundraising to send our travel team around the country
to compete," said O'Neill. "Even with the money we raise,
the players still fund as much as 50-75 percent of the
travel expenses out of their pockets."
The average age of the players is between 25-35, but the
minimum age requirement is 18. The season starts in mid-September.
For more information about the sport, the schedule or how
to become a member, go to www.detroitrollerderby.com.
