Though the mechanics and terminology are obviously different—it has bouts instead of games—roller derby has some similarities to football if both teams were playing offense and defense at the same time. A jammer is like the quarterback, and the star on her helmet is like the football, which gives her the jammer position and allows her to earn points by going around the track and passing as many opponents as possible. Blockers are the defense; their job is to stop the opposing jammer while helping their own jammer. A pivot is similar to a wide receiver or running back; she starts as a blocker, but she can also receive the star from the jammer to become the new jammer and gain the ability to score points.
Hurricane Alley Roller Derby, or H.A.R.D. for short, has been active in Corpus Christi for two decades. It began as a small social gathering in June of 2005, and became official on Halloween that same year.
Roller derby is a very social activity, and for President Monica Tijerina, life-altering. Her daughter, a long-time member of H.A.R.D., introduced her to the league. Initially, Tijerina was merely a spectator—her daughter’s biggest fan. However, when the mother’s worst nightmare was realized and her daughter passed away in 2011, she later joined the league to find comfort.
“I was surrounded by women who were very helpful and very nice, even though we like to hit hard and we kind of have this persona of being ‘mean,’ but we’re not,” Tijerina shared. “We’re kind of like a sisterhood. It’s helped me deal with so many [hard moments] in life.”
Roller derby players tend to use stage names when they play. Tijerina’s daughter went by the name Vicious Vikki. Tijerina herself goes by Vicious Nikki to pay homage, which has landed her in some humorous situations. She said an opposing player who knew Vicious Vikki was initially aggressive toward her, thinking she “stole” the name before learning she was Vicious Vikki’s mother.
While H.A.R.D. began as a women-only league, Tijerina said the group is now open to all skaters. H.A.R.D. took a hit during COVID and had to go on hiatus; as such, the league has lost a lot of members. Tijerina decided to try to rebuild the league, keeping the same name while starting nearly from scratch.
“I have so much respect for the people that started this, and I love it,” she said. “I’m still keeping the name, but I just want to let roller derby grow and I want to invite everybody. I don’t care if you’re male or female, as long as we’re all skating together.”
Coming up on its 20th anniversary, H.A.R.D. has several opportunities to get involved. Players hand out flyers at ArtWalk every month, and they organize car washes occasionally to raise for the club. They hope to have a bout on or around Halloween, so keep an eye on their social media for more information.
Whether honoring the legacy of those who came before, welcoming new faces to the rink or cheering each other on through life’s toughest moments, H.A.R.D. thrives on camaraderie. The league’s greatest strength is the solidarity that keeps wheels turning and spirits lifted, proving that in this community, no one skates alone.
