Greenville Derby Dames

Pyro
Greenville Derby Dames

How did you become involved with Roller Derby?  Met a coach at Bike Night
How Long Have You Been Involved in Derby?  Starting my 4th Season
Any Hobbies Outside of Derby?  Pool, Hunting, Riding Motorcycles
Day Job to Feed Derby Habit?  District Manager at Valet Waste
Favorite Food? Steak
Favorite Music to Get You Bout Ready?  Rock
Favorite Thing About Reffing?  The After Parties
Most Hated Thing About Reffing?  Expelling a Skater
Most Challenging Thing About Reffing?  Seeing all of the penalties
Most Common Misconception About Refs?  That we're the bad guys. We're just there to keep the skaters safe and to keep the game flowing smoothly.
How Do You Prepare for an Upcoming Bout?  Make sure all of the positions are covered and browse over the rulebook
How Has Derby Changed You?  It consumes all of your spare time and fills up your friends list on Facebook
Worst Injury?  Broken Ankle
Favorite Position to Ref?  Head Ref
Least Favorite Position to Ref? Outside Pack Ref
Do You Have A Favorite Call to Make?  Not really...I love them all!
Favorite Derby Moment?  When the first whistle blows.
How Do You Handle the Stress/Pressure's of Reffing?  I know that my fellow Zebras have my back.
How has time/experience changed how you ref a game?  As the game and strategy of derby evolves, so must the referees.  We are constantly discussing rules and clarifications on new situations.
Advice for new refs?  Learn the rules and DON"T DATE MY GIRLS!!!!  

Name: Kevin Upton ( K. Devil )
League Affiliation:Co-founder/ Coach: Greenville Derby Dames
Number of years involved in derby: 4 years

Why did you want to coach roller derby? I met a roller girl (Annathrax) who is now my wife. She played for a league that was in need of a coach when their coach decided to take a break. I stepped in and applied my sport playing experience to their training and fell in love with Roller Derby. 
What was the hardest thing about coaching the team? Learning how to teach and coach so many different personalities. Gaining a new players trust. Most importantly is getting everyone to buy into the discipline and training. 
What was the most fun thing about coaching the team? Watching the hard work put to test. Seeing the confidence on the face of all my skaters. Watching them execute and play the game like there is no tomorrow. Seeing the smiles from a hard fought victory is the best feeling and the most fun part of coaching.
What qualities make a skater great? Her work ethic for starters. The greatest skaters are always challenging themselves. Good attitude is very, very important. Being able to take constructive criticism is a key part to becoming a great skater.
Which skater do you most admire? I admire my wife Annathrax the most. Without her none of this would be possible. I also admire all the skaters Past, Present, and Future that have and will help the Greenville Derby Dames to continue to reach their goals and be successful.
Which coach or manager do you most admire, from any sport? I admire any coach who believes in his/her team and continues to push them to compete and win.
What are your favorite non-derby sports to play or to watch? Outside of derby im a football fanatic.
Do you have any advice for skaters just starting out? Make an effort to get to know your teammates, Do not judge yourself based on the ability of others. Your skills will come. If you need to throw up, do it. Then get back on the track and finish your laps. Talk less, skate more and Listen to your coach. He/she is coach for a reason.
Do you have any advice for those interested in coaching derby? Here are some keys I go by that have helped me along my way. Its from an article i read posted by TXRD.

•  We are all Unique!
•  Humans are Limited Capacity Processors!
•  Multitasking!  Eeek!!!
•  Trust, Trust, Trust!!! Respect, Respect, Respect!!!
•  Your Training Program must Compliment your League
•  Unified and Happy Teams Win
•  Focus on what you have
•  Skills and Characteristics that can be taught v. those that cannot be taught
•  Have Realistic Expectations
•  Being Challenged is Fun
•  Winning is Uncertain, Playing Good Derby is Not