Stories

Sevo and son	Magic Hate Ball, son and brother	Magic Hate Ball's son

 
This weekend is a big one for few of the skaters of the Brewcity Bruisers, Milwaukee’s roller derby league.

Saturday marks the home season’s last bout, featuring  the championship battle between the Shevil Knevils and the Rushin’ Rollettes and a “grudge match” between the Crazy 8s and Maiden Milwaukee.

This also will be the first bout to be held at US Cellular Arena, and the Bruisers are looking to set the record for roller derby attendance, which was set by Seattle's roller derby league earlier this year.

And Sunday, of course, is Mother’s Day.

Want to know what it’s like to be a take-no-prisoners derby one day and a loving mother the next? Find out from these Bruisers who do both and what it means to be a skater and a parent.
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FIDELA CASTRATE
Real name Maggie Benavides
Team Rushin' Rollettes
Children's names and ages Leonides,14; Raul,10; Jacquot, 5
 
What has been your best moment as a Bruiser? My best moment was being called to join the Bruisers seven months after the league was founded in 2005. I was part of the league's first batch of new recruits and was placed on the Rushin Rollettes.
 
What has been your best moment as a mom? I would say the birth of my children, but that is an obvious one. Aside from that I would say taking my three boys to Captiva Island off of Florida and watching them enjoy nature and just swim all day on the beach. During that vacation, I was helping plan our first bout (it was the day after I got back from that vacation).

What do your kids think of mom being in derby? My oldest likes it, especially when he hears kids at his school talk about the Bruisers. He feels the need to say, "My mom skates for the Bruisers." My middle son enjoys wearing T-shirts with our logo on them to school, and my youngest just knows I "rowerskate" (the way he pronounces it) but doesn't understand it completely yet.
 
Are there lessons you hope your kids learn from your participation? That you are never too old or out of shape to start being active. I am reaching 40 this year, and this past year, they've seen me going to the gym, riding my bike more often in addition to skating. They've also learned that women can be something other than a mom or wife, but that they can have an outlet that is healthy—mentally and physically.

Has being a mom helped you in derby? Yes, I feel I have more patience when dealing with 80+ women on the many different issues or decisions we have to make. I feel others may look at me as being fair and mother-like. Sometimes I am referred as the "responsible" one when we travel.
 
And vice versa? My kids have a mom who’s less crabby because I am able to go to practices and let my aggression out. It also allows me to be me once in awhile, not a mom, wife or daughter all the time.
 
What are your plans for Mother's Day? Well of course, still enjoying the win from the night before and spending it with my boys. In the evening, I am taking my mother to the casino.

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HABEAS KICKASS
Real name (withheld at her request)
Team Maiden Milwaukee
Children's names and ages Emi, 4; Sam, 21 months

What has been your best moment as a Bruiser? Whenever I knock someone over in a bout or trap a jammer and prevent her from scoring—those all become my best moments because I'm doing my job well.  

What has been your best moment as a mom? There are so many: The first time each one smiled, the first time each one said, "Mama," the first time they hugged each other … any time that we're all together and having fun, though, becomes a new best moment.

What do your kids think of mom being in derby? My toddler is too young to understand, but my daughter loves it. She's only been to one bout, but she tells lots of her preschool classmates, their parents, her teachers and anyone who will listen that her mom "does roller derby." She's a tomboy, and if it weren't for my team colors being pink and black, she would never wear pink.  

Are there lessons you hope your kids learn from your participation? I want them to feel confident in doing what they love, whether it's a sport, extracurricular activity or, eventually, a career. I fielded some ridiculous comments and stereotypes from a few people when I started training for derby. When I was a child, that would have had a negative effect on me and made me second-guess my decisions. I want my kids to stand firm, do what they love and do what's right.

Has being a mom helped you in derby? And vice versa? Definitely. Before I had kids, I took time for granted. After my daughter was born and it was so hard to find time to work out, I felt so silly for not working out every day of my adult life, because I had all the time in the world before kids. Knowing that every practice or bout I go to is time away from my children, I do my best to focus and work as hard as possible, because I don't want that time to be wasted. Likewise, derby has made me value the time I spend with my children. And it has whipped me into shape so I'm not exhausted after spending an entire Saturday playing with them and walking around town.

What are your plans for Mother's Day? Sleeping in, playing with Emi and Sam and chocolate.  We will all eat chocolate.

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MAGIC HATE BALL
Real name Lynda Cipov
Team Crazy Eights
Child's name and age Maximillion (Max), 4

What has been your best moment as a Bruiser? Hmm … that's a hard one. I think the best moment was when I was out there warming up for our first bout, and I realized I wasn't that nervous. I thought I would be throwing up nervous, but that didn't happen, and I was really happy about that. Also, any time I successfully hit someone!
 
What has been your best moment as a mom? Besides having a natural birth, taking a monthlong road trip with our son and exploring nature. We are doing it again this summer, and I can't wait to explore new places with him. I think the Sequoia National Forest in California is going to be the highlight.

What does your son think of mom being in derby? I asked him that today a few times, and he said, "I don't know." He does like to wear my gear, though! He was also our mascot at the January bout—he looked awesome and did a great job—but he was too scared to do it again. He's a very outgoing and charismatic person, and I was surprised he didn't want to do it again. But I certainly wouldn't force something like that on him. I like knowing that he's in the crowd. Hopefully someday, he'll be able to really watch and understand what I'm doing out there.

Are there lessons you hope your son learns from your participation? To always try your hardest no matter if you win or lose. We've been working on that a lot. Being an only child, he's used to getting his way, and it's hard for him to "lose" games, so I've been able to talk to him about that. Also, I'd like him to always go for those things he feels are unobtainable or a lot of work. When I first thought of trying out, I thought I'd never be able to do. I made myself work through that fear and my fears of being in front of a crowd.

Has being a mom helped you in derby? And vice versa? I think anytime a parent has outside activities it helps with parenting skills. If your child sees you doing things and being active and happy, he will also want to be active in his life. Of course, being a parent also means giving up things. I would love to go to extra practices to help improve my skills and also would love to go out with the girls more. But I say no to that a lot to be with my family. As far as being a mom helping me with derby, my drive to continue and do my best is always there. Being a parent forces you to be "on" at all times and that definetly helps on the track.
 
What are your plans for Mother's Day? Recovering from the bout at US Cellular and then having brunch! I'm also hoping for good weather, so that we can either go to the zoo or go hiking.

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MELISSA MAYHEM
Real name Melissa Radtke
Team Maiden Milwaukee
Children's names and ages Kalah, 20; Wyley, 10; Jake, 7; Charlie, 6; Alex, 3

What has been your best moment as a Bruiser? Making the draft and getting picked for the Maiden Milwaukee team.

What has been your best moment as a mom? There have been a lot, but my favorite was when I was going back to school and my daughter Kalah was only 7 years old. I was working full time and going to school full time, and I graduated with a 4.0.

What do your kids think of mom being in derby? My 10 year old thinks it's cool. The others haven't seen me in action, but they kind of know about it. I like to keep the two worlds separate.

Are there lessons you hope your kids learn from your participation? My daughters know that it's OK to be strong yet kind. Never confuse kindness for weakness. It's OK to be who you are. Mostly, be true to yourself.

Has being a mom helped you in derby? And vice versa? Absolutely! It’s a HUGE stress reliever.  When I'm on the track, I NEVER think about the kids. My mind is on derby, and that's a very good thing!

What are your plans for Mother's Day? My mom is coming from Tennessee for my bout; her first bout ever. And I cannot wait. She and I will go out to brunch on Mother's Day and talk about the night before. Guaranteed!

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Sevo 
Real name Emily Walker
Home Team Rushin Rollettes and also on the Brewcity Bruisers All Star team.
Children's names and ages Sydney, 15; Jazzton, 8

What has been your best moment as a Bruiser? I was co-captain of the Brewcity Bruisers JV Travel team called the Brewcity Battlestars last summer. After our last bout, my team gave me an award for being a great captain. The best part was when my dad, who I hadn't seen in more than five years, secretly flew in from California to watch my team on the track and present the awards. The whole team was in on the surprise. That summer I learned a lot about camaraderie and contributing not as an individual but as a team member. 

What has been your best moment as a mom? It is really hard to pinpoint one great moment in the 15 years of having a family. There are definitely big moments, such as when my daughter, Sydney, who has been struggling with learning disabilities throughout elementary school, surprisingly was awarded most improved student of the year in her 8th grade class and has made honor roll ever since. There’s my son winning gold in his first skating competition, and my daughter placing second in the science fair. Of course, those are obvious joyful moments, but there are also a lot of little things that I am equally as proud of, such as when my daughter's best friend started to use drugs and she said no to the peer pressure. And my son, instead of fighting the bullies on the playground, Jazzton set booby traps. Even after a whole day of bickering with one another, one of my kids will end up sneaking into the other's room after bedtime so they won't have to sleep alone. The big moments are important, but I think it’s the little things that really reflect the family dynamic we have in our home.
  
What do your kids think of mom being in derby? My children are proud of me. In fact, my daughter wrote an essay for freshman English class about her hero, and she picked me. It’s an amazing feeling to play derby and see my family cheering for me on the sidelines.  

Are there lessons you hope your kids learn from your participation? I hope my children learn that the secret to accomplishing dreams is to work at it a little bit every day, to try hard at everything they do and never ever give up. 

Has being a mom helped you in derby? And vice versa? Derby is difficult because there is a huge time commitment involved, and everyone in the family has to be on board with it. It's extremely important to balance parenting and derby so that the children are not feeling neglected when I am at practice or playing at an away bout. I learned a lot about time management and really focusing on what is important to spend my time on. Because I have to leave home to practice I make sure I put in 110 percent of effort when I am there. 
 
What are your plans for Mother's Day? My children make me breakfast in bed every Mother’s Day as a tradition. After that, if the weather is nice, we might go hiking in the woods.    
 

BREWCITY BRUISERS FINAL BOUT INFO

When Saturday, May 8. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the bout starts at 7 p.m.

Where US Cellular Arena, 400 W. Kilbourn Ave.

How much $15 in advance; $18 at the door; $9 for kids 15 and younger

Where to buy tickets Ticketmaster online (http://www.ticketmaster.com), outlets (including Boston Stores), phone (800-745-3000); and Milwaukee Theatre box office, 500 W. Kilbourn Ave. (open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays)

More Brewcity Bruisers website (http://www.brewcitybruisers.com/)

There will be an after-party at Cafe Centraal, 2306 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., and Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Ave., in Bay View. See http://www.cafecentraal.com and http://www.mysugarmaple.com for more info.