STATE COLLEGE — Expect a little chaos when State College Area Roller Derby returns to the track this weekend.
SCAR will host its “Smashed Up Derby” mixer bout Saturday, June 27, at C3 Sports Arena, with the Fender Benders facing The Wreckers in a unique matchup that blends current skaters, visiting athletes and league alumni into newly formed teams.
The first whistle is scheduled for 5 p.m. and admission is free.
Unlike a traditional roller derby bout featuring SCAR’s established teams, the Hellbenders and Nightmares, the Smashed Up Derby will feature skaters competing alongside — and against — teammates they normally share the track with.
“It’s just a mix up of all of the normal players, and we have some visiting skaters coming in, some alumni coming in from out of state, and we’re just mashing up the teams,” SCAR skater Tiffani Doane said. “There’s just chaos everywhere.”
Doane said the event has lived up to its theme before the first whistle even sounds, with roster changes and a wide range of experience levels creating an unpredictable atmosphere.
“We’ve actually had a lot of chaos with the rosters with people dropping out, people joining in,” she said. “There’s some people that these are their first few games that they’ve played, so it’s just going to be a mess.”
While the format may be different, Doane expects the intensity that roller derby fans have come to expect will remain the same.
“It’s pretty busy and it’s pretty intense,” she said. “I think a lot of people are surprised at just that it’s full contact. I think people aren’t really expecting it to be so competitive.”
The close proximity to the action often catches newcomers off guard.
“We go flying across the track sometimes whenever we get hit, and sometimes we come pretty close to the crowd,” Doane said. “I think it’s definitely a wow factor for a lot of people who haven’t been before.”
The mixer format also creates fresh competitive dynamics among skaters who normally line up on the same side.
“I’m really looking forward to being against some of the players that are on my own team,” Doane said. “I’m a little bit sad that some of the players are not on my team. For example, Nancy Drew Blood is on the other team and she’s normally our captain, and she hits so hard! So I’m really not looking forward to her not being on my team.”
Despite the physical nature of the sport, Doane said SCAR prides itself on maintaining a supportive environment both on and off the track.
“We definitely cheer each other on even when we make mistakes,” she said. “We really boost each other up a lot and kind of keep each other in check when we need to be. It’s a really good community.”
Donations collected during the event, including a planned 50-50 raffle, will benefit the Betty Fund which helps provide opportunities for skaters who might not otherwise be able to participate.
For Doane, the event is about more than competition.
“I hope that people take away that there’s good community for men and women,” she said. “I hope people can see that there’s an inclusive spirit in State College and that they can be supported with SCAR. I hope people just really have fun and enjoy watching us most of all.”
