TXRD on ESPN SportCenter Sunday @ 9:30-11:00am and 10 p.m. CST
SportCenter’s featured piece Sunday will trace the rebirth of roller derby, which, since peaking in popularity in the early 1970’s, failed in several comebacks until 2001 when a grassroots-revival in Austin, Texas has grown to more than 200 amateur, all-female roller derby leagues across the country. Today’s reincarnation blends entertainment with genuine athletic competition, compared to the highly criticized sport of yesteryear which was viewed mostly as fake. Fans, whether filling 3,000-seat arenas or in small groups at local rinks, see athletes who own their own leagues, women whose lives have been empowered by the sport, and whose daily careers range from warehouse workers, massage therapists and mothers, to NASA spacesuit engineers. The piece includes archived footage from the 1940’s, ’60’s and 80’s. Excerpts from the show:
“It takes a lot of energy — you’re trying to get through the pack, dodging people, trying not to get hit. I feel like Frogger, trying not to get hit by all the cars, as you’re going though the pack.” — Angela Lesser, skater in Pearland, Texas
“I think the thing that really cinches it for me is that you get to see women being beautiful and sexy and having fun, but you never forget that they could probably kick your ass. I don’t know of any other place in the world where women are allowed to be brainy and brawny at the same time.” — Natalie Schiro, skater in Austin, Texas
“I mean, come on, when else are you going to have the opportunity to have a Clark Kent/Superman persona? — Tara Carlton, skater in Phoenix
“I can’t tell you how many times I’m in a business meeting, I have no business speaking up about something, it’s not my role I’m not a manager and I do it anyways because I know what I’m talking about and I have the confidence to do that….and I know it’s because…. well, roller derby.” — Samantha Ramirez, skater in Austin, Texas