Merritt McLaughlin

Ground Control to Major Tom, this week’s feature skater is the sassy, spooky and skilled Ziggyzig Ahh! Skating originally as Ziggy Starthrust, she swapped the name for a nod to her go-to karaoke song, “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls.

The spirit behind the David Bowie-themed moniker has not faded, however. You can easily spot Ziggy on the track by her signature and intricate makeup. Ziggy has sported a Bowie-esque lightning bolt, a full galaxy and other designs to accentuate her self-proclaimed “crazy eyes.”

This comes as no surprise, as Ziggy is a special effects make-up artist when she’s not on eight wheels and works at a company that makes Halloween masks and horror props. Ziggy says the act of putting together a bout day look is something that comes naturally to her and gets her in a good mindset to play.

“I love bout make up. I know some people think it takes away from making derby feel like a “real sport” but I like that I can add my weird personality into my game. The theatrics of derby are part of what drew me to it. And the act of putting it on is a nice grounding ritual for me.”

Ziggy also preps for game day with a face mask and her favorite Spotify playlist, Witchy Woman. It’s no secret game day can be a whopper on your mental state, so Ziggy makes sure she’s prepared. Oh yeah, and she eats a Whopper at halftime to help with that.

“Before I get to the venue I HAVE to stop at Burger King and get a whopper. I save the whopper for half time of the second game and I eat it as my way to rally and finish the game strong.”

Ziggy is our Interleague Coordinator and part of CFDD’s Practice Committee and trains the team to work together and keep improving. She does this with drills, footwork exercises, hexes, spells and potions. Probably the most magical part is the attitude Ziggy instills in her teammates and in herself.

“Derby has taught me that I am stronger, physically and mentally, than I ever thought I could be. It has taught me to be more confident and encouraged me to step up and become a leader. Derby has helped me curb a lot of my anxiety.”

Spice up your life and come see Ziggy take the track this Saturday, May 18 at the Muncie Fairgrounds.

Bring a Whopper to chow down on at halftime and see Ziggy’s witchy wonders in person. Find out more about the event by clicking here.

“Black, 603, Forearm!”

“Black, 603, Direction!”

Team Zebra deep in a zebra conversation. Photo by Matt Ruddick

“Black, 603, Multiplayer!”

By now, I know most of the ref’s voices better than I know my own mother’s. But that’s ok! I know I can always count on Team Zebra to help my teammates and I play the safest game we can. Even though it’s sad when I have to skate off the track and spend some quality time with some of my favorite non-skating officials in the penalty box, I look forward to being able to ask questions and clean up my act for the next bout. Without our refs and NSOs, no one on Cornfed would be the skaters they are today.

Our Team Zebra regulars include Shotgun Mike, 5ft Assasin, Wes Slamderson, Carpe Jugulum, Nellie FlyBy, Bilbo Stabbins, Melody Mayhem and Richie Cranium. CFDD is also lucky enough to have other local refs make the trip to Muncie to call our bouts, which we always appreciate.

From left to right: Melody Mayhem, Wes Slamderson, Shotgun Mike and Carpe Jugulum Photo by Matt Ruddick

Roller derby can be a complicated, rough and challenging sport. Our rules are extensive and sometimes open to interpretation. The skaters in stripes help us play the sport we love by helping us to understand the rules and improve our game. Their time, money and dedication to roller derby is invaluable and something CFDD is so grateful for!

However, you don’t have to be on skates to part of the derby community. CFDD has several non-skating officials, or NSOs, that make sure bouts run smoothly. These folks are the backbone of derby, they do everything from timing penalties, timing jams, logging statistics, checking rosters and making sure everything is good to go for a successful bout or scrimmage. Our NSOs travel from all over to help out, and CFDD is lucky enough to have Bethly Hallows as our Head NSO as well as Tweety Bird, Fish n’ Whips, and Jean Koons’ smiling faces at every bout. A big shout out to Silken Tofu for years of amazing NSOing as well! NSOs are an integral part of roller derby and we value and appreciate every single one of them!

Our quality officials having quality time at Elm Street Brewing Co. From left to right: Tweety Bird, Shotgun Mike, Bethly Hallows, Melody Mayhem, Carpe Jugulum and Wes Slamderson. 

So, for Official’s month this March, make sure to hug your favorite ref or NSO – in a completely non biased way, of course!

Although it’s her first season playing roller derby at the adult level, Boggs is no stranger to the best sport on eight wheels. After playing for 8 seasons with Indianapolis Junior Roller Derby, Boggs is ready to hit the track this season as a Cornfed All-Star.

When she’s not skating, Boggs is literally all of us- her hobbies include taking naps and eating pasta. Carb loading is totally a thing in derby, and it definitely pays off for Boggs. Solid hits, flawless makeup (she owns over 28 eyeshadow palettes), and fiery red hair flowing out from under her helmet are signatures of this strong AF pivot.

For Boggs, nothing is im-pasta-ble. In her first semester of college studying Zoology at Ball State University, she manages to balance school and derby. On the track, that multitasking serves her well. From offense to defense, pack definition and communication, Boggs has an advanced grasp on the game, and a real passion for it. But, she doesn’t play for the glory. When asked why she plays derby, she gives a goofy smile and responds “I gotta work off all that pasta!”

Boggs using fancy footwork and strength to shut down a star pass. Photo by Matt Ruddick

Boggs laughs, adding that she loves skating with her group of sisters at CFDD and keeps coming back because of the people. She’s most excited to travel to Milwaukee in June, where the All-Stars will take on teams from all over the country at Midwest BrewHaha.

Do yourself a favor and come ask Boggs to show you her vast collection of sloth and baby monkey photos at our home opener on February 25th at Gibson’s Skating Arena (2610 S. Mock Ave.)

While you’re there, see the Cornfed All Stars take on the Naptown Roller Derby Warning Belles at CFDD’s Season 8 home opener! Doors open for the double header at 1 p.m. with a 2 p.m. start time for the All-Stars game, afterward, the Missfits will take on Naptown’s Third Alarm. Tickets at the door are $12 per person (cash or card) or $10 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets or from any Cornfed Derby Dame. Military, college students, EMT, firefighters, and police are just $8 with a valid ID and children ages 10 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket (limit two children).

Boggs as a happy lil jammer! Photo by Greg Dunn

Who knows what kind of awesome derby action will happen? A big hit out, an apex jump, the pasta-bilities are endless. See you there! 

It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, wait, it’s a Rogue Miss-ile! Rogue came to Cornfed in January of 2016, and has worked hard to hone in on her skills as a dynamic player. Comfortable with the star, the stripe and the captain’s C, Rogue is an incredible asset to the All-Stars and the Muncie Missfits. “The Missfits’ first bout this season against Derby City is by far my favorite moment, of the season, albeit a long moment. I was Captain which was a great experience. I got to play with a lot of Dames, many who had just started this season, in this first bout. We all did so well and even though we lost, we played a very hard team and didn’t let them run away with it. We held our own, it was like we were saying ‘we are here, we are strong, don’t underestimate us!’”

Underestimating Rogue on the track would be a big mistake, but off the track, Rogue is the one doing the estimating in class as a student in Ball State University’s accounting program. CFDD knows we can count on her. She also works at a doggie daycare, controlling a whole different kind of pack. Rogue stays busy, but she always has time for sports that involve things going around a track. “When I’m not working, studying, or playing derby (which is rare), I’m hanging out with my own dogs, probably drinking a beer and watching NASCAR with my husband.”

Rogue knew she was going to be in derby for the long haul when she finally bought her very first pair of roller skates. “Buying my own skates is probably my favorite memory. It was that moment that I knew I committing to doing derby, skates aren’t cheap! They were mine, and I will never forget how excited I was. A little over year later, after a few upgrades,
I still love my skates.”

Roller derby has been life changing for Rogue and has enabled her to meet her CFDD family. Even though she says it was terrifying at first, Rogue has embraced her strength and developed her skills – and she’s not stopping anytime soon. “I love how challenging derby is, both physically and mentally. We all push ourselves so hard every practice and every bout, and I love how much we support and challenge each other to keep going. It keeps my body and mind strong.”

On bout day, Rogue has the unique experience of playing for both the Missfits and the All-Stars.  She is a beast powering through not one, but two bouts.  She gets through it with determination, and a little help from her teammates. “When I play with The Missfits I love hearing the All-Stars cheering for us, it’s empowering.”

 But what is her favorite part of a bout? “The crowd! It is so fun to get to have fans that care about us.” See Rogue Miss-ile in action on Sunday, April 2^nd  at Gibson Skating Arena – 2610 S. Mock Ave. The CFDD All-Stars will take on Gem City Roller Derby (Dayton, OH) and the Muncie Missfits will play A-Town Roller Derby (Anderson, IN). Rogue will be taking on both!

Doors open for the double header at 1 p.m. with a 2 p.m. start time for the All-Stars game, the Missfits will play second at approximately 4 p.m. Tickets at the door are $12 per person (cash or card) or $10 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets or from any Cornfed Derby Dame. College students are just $8 with a valid ID and children ages 10 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket (limit two children). Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available at the concession stand. A portion of all bout proceeds this season will benefit Muncie OUTreach.

Join us for the official after party at Twin Archer Brewpub! You do not want to miss(ile) this!

Photo by: Joe Mac

I first heard of Dan McGowan, aka Danny Mac, at Cornfed’s home bout vs. The Naptown Warning Belles back in July 2016. Danny came to Muncie to announce the bout and I distinctly remember how excited and passionate he sounded when announcing the game. He knew how to describe what was happening on the track in a way that was audience-friendly, and he had a genuine love for the sport in his voice.

Now, seven months later, he is the new head coach of the Cornfed Derby Dames. That same enthusiasm, passion, and love for roller derby has resonated with every Dame and has been instrumental in this new role.

Cornfed is super lucky and thrilled to be getting to know Danny Mac better, and we want you to as well! Read below about Danny’s transition from announcer to coach, his passions, and, of course, his resistance to calling helmet cover “panties.”

Where did you grow up? Cincinnati, Ohio

Who inspires you? My mom and dad, my smokin’ hot wife Lisa, and the CFDD players, coaching staff (shout out to Tommy Gunz, Emily, U.S. Amee and Breckin U Down) and Practice Committee (shout out to Breckin, fOWL Play, Frida Brawlo and J.J. Baberams).

What is your day job? I am the senior writer/reporter for Inside INdiana Business, a multimedia news outlet focusing on statewide business stories.

What drew you to roller derby? The intensity, comradery, and the idea that players pay to play and the organizations are run by dedicated volunteers.

How did you become a member of the derby community? I fell in love at first sight while attending the first Naptown Roller Derby bout in Indianapolis in 2007. My co-worker (Peyton Slamming of NRD fame) and I launched an audio podcast for the team soon after. It morphed into a live audio stream, then a one-camera video stream, and is now a full-blown multi-camera production.

How long have you been announcing? What do you like about it? I’ve been announcing roller derby since 2007, but I’ve announced many other sports at various levels since 2001. The best part is being able to enthusiastically tell the story of the sport to people throughout the world.

Danny, far left, standing with team at the start of Season 7

What has it been like transitioning from primarily announcing to coaching? I have always been in awe of the skills and magic displayed by players, but to take a more active role in how that transpires has ramped up my level of respect. These team members work their rear ends off day-to-day and I am just trying to do my best to stay anywhere near their level. Coaching has been one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever taken in my life, but it’s been terrific because of how much I love this organization. 

What is the most rewarding part of coaching? Getting a first-hand view of passionate, hard-working players as they accomplish things they had no idea they could. My jaw drops on an almost daily basis observing the dedication of Cornfed skaters.

What do you do when you’re not at practice? I work a lot (I actually love my job) and have a great group of family, friends and friendfamily with which to watch crappy movies, play board games (*snorts, pushes up glasses*), and search out great Indiana beers.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about being passionate. It sucks when people are negative or not that into things, so if I’m involved with an activity of any kind, I invest all that I can into it.

What advice do you have for someone wanting to become a skater, NSO, ref, volunteer, or coach? Show up and do the things that need to be done, but others aren’t doing/won’t do. There’s always a spot for those that work hard and display joy. 

And finally…

Where did your hatred of the word “panties” come from? Hatred is a strong word and, I think, a mischaracterization. I would say “immaturity” or “insecurity” with the word would be more accurate. My default maturity level is that of an 11-year-old, so I actively avoid the word (very commonly used to talk about helmet covers in roller derby) so as to not giggle like a fool. Go ahead… say the word out loud without laughing. I bet you can’t do it!

Come see Danny coach his first bout on February 26, at Gibson’s Skating Arena-2610 S. Mock Ave. The CFDD All-Stars will take on the Derby City Rollergirls All-Stars (Louisville) and the Muncie Missfits will be playing the Derby City Rollergirls’ Bourbon Brawlers.

Doors open for the double header at 1 p.m. with a 2 p.m. start time for the All-Stars game. Tickets at the door are $12 per person (cash or card) or $10 in advance through Brown Paper Tickets or from any Cornfed Derby Dame. College students are just $8 with a valid ID and children ages 10 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket (limit two children).

Snacks and non-alcoholic beverages are available at the concession stand. A portion of all bout proceeds this season will benefit Muncie OUTreach. Hope to see you there!