2006 Sports picture story: Third

Kimberly Mitchell

Peace, love and derby

Opticians, teachers, and graduate students by day and Detroit Roller Derby Girls by night, this motley crew of twenty-something girls volunteer up to twice a week to be knocked down, swung around and jammed for the sake of being derby champions.

The Rick James of sports, Roller Derby is more than just skin and skates, but determination, skill, and endurance. There is a definite style that some call a lifestyle, which dominates the floor once the ladies of Detroit Derby Girls take the rink.

The women bond through competitive roughness while retaining their feminine sensibilities and men cater to the sport as coaches, referees, and announcers. Hair flies and grinds cause bruises, but all the ladies say once they step off the rink, all the catfights stay in the rink. Peace, Love and Derby