Roller Revival Builds Up Speed

Brian Droege emerges from the pack, and all eyes focus on the new lap leader.

He’s moving fast already, but he kicks into another gear, simultaneously leaving the pack in his dust and circling behind the same horde with considerable speed. Droege may not be on the sports world's national radar, but at that moment, the star on his helmet means all eyes are on him.

Suddenly, another racer likely weighing 200 pounds quickly dives in front of him, only to be followed by another dauntingly-sized racer who follows suit with the goal of colliding to form a Droege-sandwich.

Yet in a blink, Droege manages to drop to a knee, and nearly 400 pounds of sweaty roller meat collide in a bridge above him.

This is how grown men roller skate.

It's the wide world of roller derby, locally revived thanks in part to the Gatekeepers, St. Louis men’s derby league. What began as a Facebook page in 2009 has since grown into a full-fledged club that offers three area teams: The Riverfront Crimes, The Dogtown Rockets and The South Grand Slammers. On Saturday, the latter two teams will square off for a season bout at the Midwest Sport Hockey Complex in Queeny Park.

“After I started playing, I just fell in love with the competition," said Brentwood’s Scott Meyer, the founder and president of the Gatekeepers who will skate for the Rockets this weekend. "It became so captivating to be a part of something that is happening nationally, and it brought out a lot of pride for St. Louis.”

The modern-day derby represents a new translation of an old sport, and it rides a delicate balance between what's remembered and where it's headed.

Gone is the 1970s version; the pro-wrestling styled entertainment with its staged theatrics, predetermined outcomes and epic skate-kicks to the head, has been replaced by a flat track, a standardized set of rules and tiring, hard-fought team work.

But while Roller Derby strives to move away from its past, it pushes on with a near celebration of the same old spirit: Some skaters paint their faces and all flaunt lively monikers (Droege is known by most as “Skulls McCrackin ,” while Meyer answers to “Magnum P.I.M.P.”). And of course, a fast pace and hard hits still are focal points of the game.

“I think with the rebirth of roller derby, the sport is still evolving even in the last eight years,” Meyer said. “At the beginning there were still some theatrics, but as it matured, it definitely turned into a straight-up sport.

"We’ve kept the fun aspects: The names, wear more revealing outfits, and the guys hit hard – but they definitely like to put on a show, too."

Perhaps another glowing benefit from roller derby’s past is its familiarity in entertainment. While some sports might exist for decades in the underground, within a two year span, the Gatekeepers are well established.

Modeled after leagues in Seattle and Minneapolis, which often draw crowds of over 5,000, the Gatekeepers’ derbies feature soothing commentary by bout announcers, a relaxed party atmosphere (let’s just say it won’t be long before your favorite adult beverage becomes a sponsor) and spectators can either take in strategy with a birds-eye view from the stands or get a taste of the hits with seating right on the track.

Behind the scenes, focused marketing has brought the Gatekeepers a well organized website, professional photography, a ticketing system and a defined direction – all of it produced by its members. These aren’t 10 guys out skating without a goal. These are 10 guys skating toward a sports revolution. And it’s working.

The Dogtown Rockets vs. South Grand Slammers derby will headline the event at 8 p.m. Saturday at Queeny Park. The event will be preceded by an exhibition bout with the Gatekeepers’ sister team, the all-female Arch Rival Rollergirls. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased buy-one-get-one-free using the code “BOGO” through Brown Paper Tickets. Admission is free for kids under 10.