| Marketer by day, rollergirl by night |
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But on occasion, Collum becomes someone else altogether — almost like a female Incredible Hulk. With roller skates. “Everyone has their derby persona, who they are on the track,” Collum said. “I'm Megan Collum in my day life, and Megahurtz on the track.” Collum is a member of the Alamo City Rollergirls roller derby league. The league began with a single exhibition match in November 2005 before expanding to a full schedule last March. The 2007 season began last month, with one event per month slated through September. That includes a match between Prim Reapers (Collum's team) and Missyfits on Sunday, April 15. Collum may not be able to participate in her team's first match of the season — she has an injured knee. “After every bout, we have bruises, and we need at least a week just to rest and recuperate,” Collum said. “It's very strenuous.” After a week of rest and healing, Collum and the other Rollergirls coordinate their efforts in marketing the next event. That includes scheduling the live entertainment that is featured before the monthly matches and during breaks. Collum, who also played last season, first heard about the league through word of mouth. Curious, she showed up at a practice and started skating for the first time in 10 years. And because of the Rollergirls' intense preparation program, skating is the only discernable talent one must possess to join the league. “We can teach (newcomers) to play roller derby,” said Collum, who doubles as the Rollergirls' marketing and public relations director. “We put them through boot camp and teach them the game. We take pride in preparing the girls for a strict, regimented training program.” From that program stems tough, hard-nosed alter egos such as Megahurtz. “We go in with the mindset of going to battle,” Collum said. “It's not something we have to do. It's something we want to do. That's the attitude you have, so it's more fun for us.” Roller Derby Rules Each team has four blockers who make up the pack and skate at the first whistle. Each team has one jammer who skates at the second whistle to catch up with the pack. The blockers fight with the other team's blockers to let their own jammer pass while trying to stop the opposing jammer. The jammers must loop the pack a second time to score. One point is earned for each opposing team member the jammer passes. Penalties are issued for hitting from behind, fighting or purposefully stepping off the track. Matches are divided into three 20-minute periods, with 15-minute breaks between the periods. |
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