Dr. Dementer #00
INTERVIEW FOR QCRD
By Skate Tectonics
Techie: Thank you so much for the interview! I’ll start with a “super easy” question…what is your “derby lore”? How did you get into Roller Derby?
Doc: My derby story started in 2006. I had just finished my PhD in Educational Psychology and was looking for my next big challenge. I missed being a competitive athlete, but at 31, there weren’t many options for team sports…until a friend mentioned that three women were looking to form a roller derby league right here in Buffalo. I remember watching Rollergirls on A&E and thinking, “I would love to do that.” So, as soon as I heard the call, I was all in and thought… “Where and when? I’ll be there!” I started hitting the Wednesday night adult open skates at Rainbow Roller Rink that summer, which evolved into me running for Captain of one of our first three teams.
Techie: Gotta love Rollergirls! What teams did you play for?
Doc: I had the honor of being the first-ever Captain of the Suicidal Saucies! I spent five years with them as a Pivot and eventually a Player-Coach. I also skated for our Travel Team for a few years before leaving for a Postdoc at the University of Illinois in 2011. But the Saucies have my heart, and I came back to Buffalo and coached them again from 2013–2015!
Techie: That is awesome! Did you have any skating experience before you decided to join the league?
Doc: I was a total rink rat in the 80s! We had those annual school skate parties at the Hamburg Roller Rink all through middle school. Back then, the biggest drama was whether or not a boy would ask you to skate during the Couples-Only song. After that, I dabbled in inline skating, and right before I found derby, I was actually playing inline hockey with a bunch of guys. But as a woman in that setting, you can’t really “hit” anyone. Switching over to roller derby was so refreshing! It was the first time I was actually encouraged to slam into people and make them fall down!
Techie: You have had a long and experienced derby career of slamming into people and making them fall down! How did derby impact your life outside of playing the game?
Doc: This is a tough one because derby changed everything. First, it completely rewrote my ideas of female friendship. Before derby, my track record of making friends with women wasn’t great, and on top of that, making deep connections at 31 can be a challenge. But that first year, I found my “people.” We’ve been through it all together; marriages, divorces, baby showers, the whole gamut. Even if we don’t see each other every day now, those are friends for life. It also ignited a flame in me for leadership. I used to be a wallflower, someone who just followed the crowd, but derby forced me to step up and realize, “I can totally do this, and I’ll rock at it.” Managing a team of women from so many different backgrounds and ability levels definitely taught me how to lead with a sense of humor. My mantra became: always make it fun. The second it feels like “work,” you’re done! That ability to collaborate, and sometimes just tolerate, different opinions has served me so well in my career and life.
Techie: It really brings people together! I think you can learn a lot about yourself on a team. What about the athletic aspect? You said you used to be a competitive athlete, but what did roller derby do for you?
Doc: It turned me into an absolute machine! I went from a PhD student to skating 3-4 days a week, running, and doing HIIT classes. Thanks to some fellow Saucies, I even completed a few sprint Triathlons. One memory that always sticks out is playing a bout on a Saturday night in 2009, dancing at the after-party, and then driving to Canada early the next morning with Mexi and Kapowski. We ran the 30k Around the Bay in Hamilton as a relay team. To this day, I stay active: snowboarding/skiing, hiking, mountain biking…because derby also taught me how important it is to keep my body energized and moving.
Techie: I think a lot of people would resonate with your story; I know I do! I did not do any sort of team sports growing up and didn’t enjoy working out until I found roller derby. What advice would you give to someone who is nervous about joining QCRD, but they are worried about the “fitness and teamwork” aspects?
Doc: Honestly, just show up. Derby is the ultimate “learn as you go” sport. You are encouraged to grow in small increments, and nobody expects you to be a skating star on day one. What matters most is consistency. If you have the heart to show up at the rink and give it a shot, the rest will follow. You don’t have to be the most elite athlete out there… the league just wants to see your dedication. As for the teamwork? That evolves naturally as you get to know the community. You start by just being there, and eventually, you find yourself part of a unit, finessed by some truly kickass coaches. If you’re willing to try, I’m sure QCRD has got a place for you.
Techie: Any last minute life advice for the readers?
Doc: You know what? Most of the best things in my life happened because I was willing to look a little ridiculous while learning how to do them. So my last minute life advice would be: Stay messy, stay curious, and keep moving.