Dayton Daily News - April 13, 2006
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Roller derby hitting town
Amelia Robinson - Staff Writer

Some simply have a passion for competition. But other roller derby skaters find slamming through a crowd refreshing.

"I am very aggressive and obnoxious ... I can beat the hell out of someone legally," said Andrea "Cyn Vicious" Moore, co-founder of the Gem City Rollergirls League.

A new breed of women have hit the nation's skating rinks to pick up the legacy of roller derby goddesses like Joanie "The Blond Bomber" Weston and the flamboyant Ann Calvello.

Moore said Dayton's league aims to empower women and knock the competition silly.

"We're not just sex on wheels," the 25-year-old Beavercreek resident said. "We want to be role models for little girls. We want them to see us as strong women."

Ginger Clark of Miamisburg laced up her quad skates and helped found the Gem City Rollergirls late last year because she missed her identity from when was single, lived in Chicago and partied at rock, punk and rockabilly shows nearly nightly.

"A lot of what made me an individual was gone to taking care of my new baby and husband," the 26-year-old said. "I wanted something for myself."

The stay-at-home mom and longtime skater hooked up with like minds, checked her health insurance and researched the sport that caught her interest two years ago in Chicago.

Now Clark has a new identity: Helen of DesTroy — the fist that launched 1,000 bruises.

The Gem City Rollergirls is thought to be the first women's league based in Greater Dayton. It will accept new players until Saturday, Clark said. For membership information, visit Gemcityrollergirls.com