“Killamazoo Derby Darlins”

By Jessica Short

To earn a living, Bethany Heckman works as a hazardous waste chemist, but for fun she skates as a blocker for the “Killamazoo Derby Darlins,” the women’s roller derby team in Kalamazoo.

“I saw a game, and I had to play,” said 31-year-old Heckman, whose derby name is Fe Box (pronounced “Iron Box”—“Fe” is the chemical symbol for iron).

After joining the team last fall, she played her first meet in October and has since graduated from doing stats (i.e., keeping track of who jams, the number of jams, penalties, etc.) to becoming a blocker.

“I love hitting everyone,” said Heckman, who grew up in Portage. “I like the strategy of the game.”

Formed in 2006, the “Killamazoo Derby Darlins” was originally known as the “Kalamazoo Kamikazes.” The change of name came about as a result of an idea from the husband of one of the members.

The team is now comprised of three referees and 22 female skaters, who, like Heckman, all work for a living.
Each game consists of two, 30-minute periods during which time the jammers try to score points by passing members of the opposite team.

While it may sound relatively easy, don’t be fooled. Roller derby is definitely a big-time contact sport.
To begin the jam session (i.e., a period of play), a whistle blows, signaling the pivots (one from each team) to set the pace for the blockers (three from each team) to skate. Next, a double whistle blows, signaling the jammers (one from each team)—who are usually the fastest skaters—to skate in pursuit of the pack. As the jammers approach the pack, both the blockers and the pivots try to stop the opposing team’s jammer from getting past them.

While roller derby isn’t for the “faint of heart,” or those who are injury-prone, the sport is making a name for itself as awareness and popularity increase.

“We seem to be battling a stereotype about staged bouts,” said Kelly Kozik, a member of the “Killamazoo Derby Darlins.”

“Nothing is staged, it’s 100% an athletic event.”
Known as “Battleaxe” on the track, Kozik first learned of the sport from a show on TV that featured a roller derby team from Texas called the “Texas Roller Girls.” When she learned that the “Grand Raggedy Roller Girls” were looking for new recruits, she jumped at the opportunity.

“I love to rollerskate,” she said.

Currently, the team is in the process of becoming a member of the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Formerly known as the United Leagues Committee (ULC), the association was founded in 2004 and since then has continued to promote and foster the sport of women’s flat track derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, “sportswomanship,” and goodwill among member leagues.

“In our league, players who instigate fighting or unsportsman-like behavior have a very real risk of being suspended,” said Kozik.

According to Kozik, each player must purchase insurance before they engage in contact drills. Crash pads, which offer more protection than basic wrist and knee guards, are also provided.

Bruises are the most common injury among skaters, as they are routinely bumped and knocked down in an effort to score points.

Surprisingly, Kozik is one of the few females on the team that hasn’t gotten injured while skating, and while Heckman has been injured, she has not sustained any injuries that have prevented her from skating.
“I haven’t had any that took me out,” said Heckman. “I haven’t broken any bones.”

While the skaters do not get paid to play, the camaraderie among the team is great, and skaters are often seen smiling and joking around with each other before and after practice.

The fact that it can be completely competitive on the track, yet completely friendly off is what I enjoy the most about the game, said Kozik.

“It’s good exercise,” added Heckman. “Get your skating down, and everything else will come.”


To learn more about the “Killamazoo Derby Darlins,” visit: http://www.killamazooderbydarlins.com/.
To see the “Killamazoo Derby Darlins” in action, come and watch as they take on the “Naptown Roller Girls” at Wings Stadium on August 29th at 7 p.m.