Newswise — By day, she teaches the basics of archaeology to her students at Texas Tech University. But once the sun sets, she transforms into a wheeled warrior for the West Texas Roller Dollz.
Lauren Whitman, Texas Tech archaeology instructor, is part of an all-women group that is growing not only in West Texas, but around the world.
“My students laugh about it a little bit because I don’t really seem like the type, I guess,” Whitman said. “Most of them think it’s pretty cool, and I have sold tickets to them for the bout.”
Katherine Ehlers, a Texas Tech Museum research assistant, often joins Whitman for practices. Together, the pair is hell on wheels.
On Thursday evenings, the Dollz flock to a local rink dressed in protective gear and knee-high socks. At practice, the women appear tame, but do not be fooled. The Roller Dollz take the rink by force at bouts. Whitman can attest the Dollz mean business at competitions.
The Dollz are just one team in a sport that is growing exponentially. Now, more than 500 women’s leagues exist in 16 countries, from North and South America, Europe, Australia and the Middle East.
Roller Derby allows the Dollz to blow off steam while participating in an aggressive women’s sport, Ehlers said. She revels in the idea of having two personalities.
“You get to be two totally different people,” Ehlers said. “Most people expect you to be the same person out in the rink as you are in real life, but that’s not how it is. It is a great way to blow off steam and get some exercise.”
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