Posts Tagged ‘Andrea Clay’

Cedar Rapids Rollergirl Andrea "Motley Cruel" Clay blocks Big Mouth Mickies' Carbomb Betty during a recent game at the US Cellular Center/ Gazette photo by Liz Martin.

 By Justin Braden
For Hoopla!

CEDAR RAPIDS – Walking up to the National Guard Armory, where the Cedar Rapids Roller Girls are holding their usual Tuesday practice, it seems entirely appropriate to hear Motley Cruel (aka Andi Clay) addressing her team like a drill sergeant. It also makes perfect sense that despite the rock music blaring from the radio in the corner, they all listen attentively to every word she says.

After being on three different teams in three years, Andi knows the ins and outs of this surging sport. It’s a tough game and the girls who play it are just as tough, whether they be pivots (scorers), jammers (guides) or blockers. Andi has experience at all positions, but usually takes the “brains” role of a pivot.

“I’ve had a broken hand, a fractured tailbone, a shoulder out of socket and three concussions. The one that hurt the most, though, was the fractured cheek bone,” Andi says. “In the first five minutes of a bout, a girl hit me so hard that when it was over, I needed a neck brace. I played on adrenaline the rest of the time anyway. There is nothing you can do about a broken face.”

Originally from Bloomington, Ind., Andi, 37,  played for the Bloomington Bleeding Heartland Flatliners. When her husband was transferred to Rockwell Collins in Cedar Rapids, she began traveling to Des Moines to practice with the Mid-Iowa Rollers. Soon, she decided to start her own team. After hooking up with the like-minded AJ Renegade from Ely, the two made up fliers and began distributing them around town. Word of the team spread and they had to cap the number of girls at 30.

The team has become so popular that beginners now have to try out to join. The Cedar Rapids Rollergirls are now broken down into three sub-teams the Helldorados, Bombshell Cartel and Demon Dolls. They practice Sundays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Andi scouts for natural talent like footwork, quickness and of course, the ability to give and take a hit.

“Pack awareness is key,” Andi says. “If you don’t know how to fall, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

They held their first Cedar Rapids bout in October. Nearly 2,000 people filled the US Cellular Center. Another 900 came to the second in November. In March, all three Cedar Rapids teams are gearing up for a mixer with Des Moines, Clinton’s Big Mouth Mickies and the Quad City Rollers at the US Cellular Center. They’re also planning a scrimmage against the North Stars from Minnesota…

Andi has big designs for the future, including an all guys team. Now, the male skaters are used as referees. But a few are looking for a chance to battle.

“I would love to have a coed team,” Andi says. ”But at this point we can easily take the boys.”

DID YOU KNOW: Scores in roller derby are often in the hundreds and penalties are almost constant.

Story courtesy: HooplaNow.com