Pittsburgh Roller Derby hosting tournament in Harmar
When Heather Groll was 12 years old she made sure to do all of her homework after school, especially on Wednesdays.
“If my sister and I finished our homework, our dad would take us roller skating,” said Groll, of those times at Roll R Skate in Canonsburg. “We would meet our friends and have a good time.”
Those Wednesday night skates rolled into Friday nights at the rink in their teenage years. As an adult, she and her sister, Leanne, who now lives in Florida, continue to be drawn to skating — roller derby to be exact.
Groll is a member of the A-team “Undead,” an all-gender squad of people 18 and older in the Pittsburgh Roller Derby league. There is also a B-team called the “Zom-bees.”
The “Undead” is one of the first proclaimed all-gender teams in the world, Groll said, and operates as part of the Men’s Roller Derby Association. The name “Undead” is a nod to the zombies from Pittsburgh made popular by George Romero’s film “Night of the Living Dead.”
Pittsburgh Roller Derby is hosting a tournament — Dawn of the Dead Part II — this weekend at Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Harmar.
Last year’s event was Dawn of Dead Part 1.
The Undead will compete along with the Carolina Wrecking Balls of South Carolina, Disorder from Mexico City, Lane County Concussion of Oregon, Austin Anarchy from Texas and Chicago Bruise Brothers of Illinois.
The competition begins at 10 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. Sunday.
The Pittsburgh Roller Derby B-team will play an exhibition match against the “Paranormal Posse,” which has players from the tri-state area, before the championship game Sunday.
Roller derby has five players on each team who compete at a time — four blockers and what is called a jammer. There are two 30-minute periods. Skaters try to block opponents so their jammer can pass by multiple times and score points. It is a contact sport. Players are required to block within the rules or they will be penalized.
They wear roller skates — inline skates are not permitted — a helmet, wrist guards, knee and elbow pads and a mouth guard.
The original competitions were played on a banked track, which is raised and angled.
The updated form of the sport is played on a flat surface, which can be more easily set up at venues such as roller rinks, arenas and gymnasiums.
Teams and players have nicknames. Groll’s is “Hurricane Heather,” given to her by her mother, Karen. Groll said her mom and dad, Bill, have always supported her and her sister, whose nickname is “Lemon Groll,” in their love of roller derby.
“Roller Derby looks chaotic out there,” said Groll, who turns 38 on Saturday. “But it’s really a good time. Playing on an all-gender team, some of the men are quite large and I have gotten my bell rung a few times, but I get back up and keep going. Everyone is encouraging.”
The league is always looking for new players. If you don’t have skates, you can borrow some. Most players have several. Groll of Swissvale has a pair with a rooster image on one of her skates. She and her partner, Nick Danish, who she met at the rink, own a rooster and chickens.
“Roller derby is making a resurgence,” Groll said. “It is a welcoming atmosphere. On the track, it’s serious, but after everyone hangs out and gets along.”
Having an experienced leader such as Groll is a great asset to the team, said Paul Warlop, vice president of Pittsburgh Roller Derby.
“Heather shares her years of experiences at practices and on the track with everyone she skates with and is always there with a positive comment and a smile, even if you skated into her with full force in the last jam (unit of play),” Warlop said. “The joy and skill she brings to derby makes playing with her a delight and is an inspiration to everyone.”
There aren’t any monetary prizes for the tournament winner.
“But you do get to brag,” said Groll, whose everyday job is writing curriculum for corrosion professionals.
She said the tournament is a way to welcome teams from other cities as well as hopefully introduce the sport to new people.
“It takes many moving parts, support and good relationships to put on an event like this,” Groll said. “I am personally proud of my league mates who worked tirelessly to make this happen. Unlike your 1970s studio-wrestling style roller derby, this is a real full-contact sport. The hits are real, the adrenaline is real, and, unfortunately, the injuries are real, too. This tournament will be featuring some of the top teams, and it’s honoring to share the track with athletes who share the same passion and drive as we do.”
It’s a passion she’s had since childhood.
“I have been skating since the 1980s,” she said. “I have never left the rink.”
Spectators are invited to the matches. A day pass is $20. The weekend pass is $30.
JoAnne Klimovich Harrop is a TribLive reporter covering the region's diverse culinary scene and unique homes. She writes features about interesting people. The Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist began her career as a sports reporter. She has been with the Trib for 26 years and is the author of "A Daughter's Promise." She can be reached at jharrop@triblive.com.
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