Seats were sold out, cars lined the streets and spectators filled the room Saturday at the Williamson County Pavilion for the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre Roller Derby Scrimmage between the Heart Breakers and the Love Takers.
More than 1,200 people viewed the scrimmage, which was only the second of the season. Ticket sales were estimated at $7,000.
The Southern Illinois Roller Girls started in June after Katy Rogers moved from Nashville, N.C., and brought her Roller Derby knowledge with her.
The first Roller Girls’ practice at the Emery Brothers Skating Rink in Marion drew 19 new players to the team, who are currently bout ready, and 13 other players that are still learning the game.
Only 388 people showed up to Holiday Beatings, the first public scrimmage bout of the season, Rogers said.
In a matter of two months, that fan base has more than tripled to more than 1,200 people.
“I’m blown away by the fan base,” Rogers said.
The Roller Girls do not advertise their bouts, but rather rely on word of mouth and Facebook to advertise for them.
Phillip Cline, of Marion, said he heard about the bout through a friend and wanted to see something different
“What’s not to like?” Cline said. “There’s racing, women and violence.
Many fans find interest in the unusualness of the sport.
“People are looking for something different, and that’s us,” Rogers said.
Some fans even went as far as to reserve suicide seating for themselves. Suicide seating is a designated section of ground next to the track where spectators can sit and get closer to the action.
You must be older than 18 to sit in that section, which wasn’t a problem for Amanda Collins and her friends, who reserved suicide seating for Collin’s 30th birthday.
“There’s not really many other sports out there where girls can get physical with each other and leave with no hard feelings,” Collins said.
Roller derby draws fans from all ages. Those 12 and younger do not have to pay admission, and fans younger than 21 that want to be a part of the Roller Girls can join the Jeerleaders, led by head Jeerleader Afton Sisney, also known as Jailbait.
“Roller derby is great because it’s the only sport where all sizes of girls can play,” said Alayna Sisney, Afton’s older sister.
For women wishing to join the Roller Girls, contact information can be found at their Web site, http://www.soillrollergirls.com. Their next bout will be April 17, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.
“We want to be more than just girls on skates; we like to give back,” Rogers said.
Pat Sutphin can be reached at psutphin@dailyegyptian.com
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