By: Bryan Mcwilliam aka Killman
During the weekend of Aug 4-5 the North American Qualifier of the Men’s Roller Derby Association (MRDA) will take place in Fitchburg, MA to help determine the competitors in the organization’s championship playoff finals in Portland, OR from Oct 12-14.
The event, which is set to take place at the Wallace Civic Center on the grounds of Fitchburg State University, will be hosted by MRDA member and playoff contender, the Mass Maelstrom.
Eight teams will vie for a championship bid.
Leading into the event the MRDA will take an inside look at some of the attending teams to learn more about members from its squad.
Today, we speak with skaters Arnold Bacon & Egger and Señor Wiener of Toronto Men’s Roller Derby, the No. 7 seed at the NAQ qualifier.
Bacon & Egger, a blocker and pivot with TMRD skates under No. 132. He’s been playing derby for 5 years, all with Toronto.
Wiener, a jammer, has been with Toronto since 2012 and has also spent his entire derby skating career with them.
Killman: Are you excited about playoffs? Tell me what being at playoffs means to you?
Arnold Bacon&Egger: I’m very excited about playoffs. Playoffs to me mean my team and I have made steady improvements in our game. It also means I get to hang out with great people. The derby community is full of strangers that become friends so amazingly fast.
Wiener: I get to see so many skaters I’ve had the pleasure of seeing at events over the years. I’m also looking forward to meeting more new derby friends. It means a lot to have made playoffs this year. Our training committee had this set as a goal for the team and I’m happy to have achieved it and our team’s highest rankings placement so far.
K: What would it mean for you to come out of this event as a qualifying team for champs?
B&E: It would be a surprise. Don’t get me wrong, I’d love to qualify for champs, but we are building ourselves up over time. I’m just happy to get to this level. If we qualify for champs it’ll mean further adventure and some new friends.
W: It would be a bit of a Cinderella story and I’m a sucker for those.
K: Is there anyone you look up to on your team or in the sport of roller derby?
B&E: I look up to everyone on my team. They all constantly amaze me with their ability to put up with me. If I had to pick one on my team though, I’d have to say Señor Wiener. He’s just a positive guy and an amazing jammer. Outside of my team, I admire Scald Eagle and Sexy Sladie. They’re my favorites to watch in the WFTDA. My favorite junior turned senior is Loren Mutch.
W: I look up to anyone who dedicates time, effort and energy into this sport. There is passion everywhere and it’s not always paired with the biggest names.
K: If you could be one Marvel superhero, who would it be and why?
B&E: Well, my favorite from comics was Magneto in ‘Marvel Zombies’ trades, but if we’re talking about Marvel movies than I pick Black Panther as he seems to have it all.
W: Gambit, because he’s the coolest.
K: If you were asked to travel back in time and play in Rollerjam, would you? If yes, what would be the attraction?
B&E: Umm yes! I would make some variation on a chess boxing theme. It’d be roller derby then immediately go to the team having to go head-to-head game show quiz style, then immediately back to next jam.
W: Probably not, it was fun to watch as a kid though.
K: Do you have a favorite dad joke?
B&E: Too many to pick one. They come way too natural to me.
W: This duct tape just isn’t quacking it.
K: Provide me an inspirational quote that you live by.
B&E: “Dude, suckin’ at something is the first step to being sorta good at something.” -Jake the Dog, Adventure Time
W: “Oak trees grow strong with contrary winds and diamonds are formed under pressure.”
K: Tell me anything else that’s on your mind if you have more to say.
B&E: I can’t wait to get out to Fitchberg! They seem to love giant donuts and tiny airline-sized alcohol. I can respect that.
For event information, head over to Facebook https://www.facebook.com/events/2105455163045551/