"It's a huge deal, and it's spreading like wild fire. There are seven leagues in Michigan right now, and it keeps getting bigger," Kim Atherholt said.
The University of Michigan-Flint is sponsoring a club team made up of moms, grandmas, medical assistants, college professors and tattoo-covered derby girls from all walks of life.
"When I started roller derby, I was teaching pre school, so I had to keep them covered up," Atherholt said.
Providing inspiration for the team is Keely Brown, also known as "Whip or Snap Her." She's a recent cancer survivor. "Not even cancer can keep a roller girl down. I've been skating as long as I can remember, and I like to skate as fast as I can, and this came along and smacked me in the face, and I just roll with it."
Each Derby Girl is branded with nicknames like "Ella Pain," "Daisy Destroy-her" and "Slap Her Sally." Don't let Sally's small size fool you. "Five feet of fury, and I've got fists of fury, too," she told ABC12's Marc Jacobson.
Jacobson: Everyone needs a good nickname. What do you have for me?
Keely: How bout Jack 'em up Jaco. I'm digging that.
Despite knowing that two Derby Girls are already out with broken legs, Jack 'em up Jaco was ready for his derby debut.
No apologies, but when you mess with one of the Flint City Derby Girls, expect a little payback.
The Flint City Derby Girls are holding an open tryout at 8:30 Thursday night at Rollhaven in Grand Blanc Township.
Get in touch with the derby girls here.
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