Fresno Famous

It is with a sad heart and great regret that I announce the end of a wonderful ride.
Last night I decided to end my run as Lola la Chola #17.
Officially I will still remain a roller grrl with the Smog City Roller Grrls. But due to time restraints, I will no longer be skating with SCRG. I will also be resigning as Public Relations Officer/Event Planner for our league.
This decision has been a long time coming and I have grappled with the idea for about 6 months. Because I work full time, attend FSU part time and raise a 13-year-old daughter it has become nearly impossible to give all those things my full attention. Something had to give.
Unfortunately that is roller derby.
Initially I intended to skate this last bout with full gusto and go all out on an ass-kicking rampage. I was going to throw myself into as many girls as possible, taking down 2-3 at a time (yeah right!) but of all things to happen, I injured my knee.
So in the midst of my heartache over unlacing my skates, I dont even have the joy of being able to skate my final bout!

I know that besides Betty Rocker I have been one of the most recognizeable names and faces of our league and the reason for that is because I have been the Public Relations Officer since the inception of our league but there are 2 other women who are also hanging up their skates. Both whom are crucial to SCRG and have brought great success to Fresno's first and FINEST roller derby league.
Those women are Jenn Balint (Jenni Grrl) and Becky Larson (Toni 2 Tone).

Jenn Balint was the mastermind behind the Smog City Roller Grrls. She started with an idea to bring something fresh and exciting to Fresno. She took the step to make that idea a reality. She spread the word, made the call to her friends and from her motivation and dedication, Smog City Roller Grrls was born. To this woman I offer a huge thank you. She is who made SCRG what it is today and today she is also stepping away from her "baby". But, she is a new mother and with the responsibilities of having a real baby, she knew she would not have the time to continue organizing and maintaining SCRG.
She gave me the power and authority to present SCRG to Fresno in whatever manner I saw fit and I will forever be grateful for that responsibility and opportunity.

And lastly but certainly not least, Becky Larson (Toni 2 Tone) our team captain will also be retiring her skates. She recently changed careers and in doing so had to make the gut-wrenching decision to leave the team as well. She will be skating along side her derby sisters for the last time on October 11. Becky has brought so much to our league especially during a time when we had little to no guidance by way of skating. She was the glue who held our league together during many trying times. Let me tell you, she's the real "Pitbull in lipstick!" While her bark was much worse than her bite she held the respect and love of all the girls in the league and with out her SCRG wouldnt be where we are today.

Jenn along with Becky and I were among the first and original members of SCRG. This decision has been so hard for all of us for one reason; Fresno Pride.
Jenn started this league with the intention of being a part of something up and coming in Fresno. We made the conscious decision to hold our bouts downtown for the simple reason that we wanted to be a part of a thriving downtown Fresno.
Fresno has embraced us as their own and that was always the idea. We refer to us as Fresno's Smog City Roller Grrls. When you hear us, you'll hear us say, "YOUR Smog City Roller Grrls." And we mean that whole-heartedly. We belong to Fresno.
Being a part of a small group of founding members is something truly special. Knowing we'll be able to tell our grandkids, "hey look, your gramma was a roller girl!" is a special gift that no one can take from us.
What we did was groundbreaking and important because we know we did this from our heart for Fresno.
It is important for us that you all know how much your support has meant to us. Without you, we wouldnt be here today. Without you, we wouldnt have made it three years and running. Without you, we would just be a group of women skating in circles for the enjoyment of our friends and family.
But you all found the relevance in what we do. We struggled to make a name for ourselves and you all took that name and embraced it.
Words cannot describe how bittersweet it is to hand over our league that was born of hard work and literally blood, sweat and tears, to those that we leave behind.
We have formed friendships that will last a lifetime and we hold dear our derby sisters. they have become our family and our best friends.
We have faith in our teammates that they will take our torch and run with it. We have hope that they will continue the winning streak we have obtained in the past three years on and off the track. We firmly believe that they will continue to do what Smog City Roller Grrls does best, kick ass and represent FEMALE ATHLETES in Fresno with the highest respect and loyalty.
And we KNOW that Fresno will continue to support our grrls just as you all have in the past and keep the game of derby alive in Fresno!

Thank you all for supporting me, Toni and Jenn.

VIVA LA DERBY!!!!

A sorrowful Lola la Chola #17