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The women of the NorCal Roller Girls might be teachers, moms and students by day, but at night they follow the roller derby league's motto, "Beer, babes and bruises."
But even that's an understatement. The 40 players endure broken bones, and concussions have become relatively common for the women of Chico's newest contact sport.
The league's four teams will take 13 of the hardest-hitters and create a league all-star team, The Chico Hustlers, will prepare to battle Sacramento's Sac City Rollers Saturday at Cal Skate Funland.
"We're all about letting the Sac girls know who's in charge. We'll be sweeping the floor with their faces," said Jessica "Flica" Smith, team captain of the Voodoo Dolls.
Butte College student Sarah "Karmah" Rowland said the NorCal Roller Girls are tough and aren't afraid to show it.
"Girls go out there and they kick each other's asses," she said. "There are tons of gorgeous girls here that could probably beat the crap out of guys I know."
However, one of the league's founders, Chico State student Laurel "Racie Gracie" Singletary said a lot of the women aren't violent by nature.
"Believe it or not, some of the girls are shy," she said.
Even though there's going to be pushing, shoving and possibly fighting, Singletary said she always tells the players before a game, "In the end just let it go. Don't hold grudges."
Players like Sherry "Yo' Mama" McCutcheon, a hairdresser at Twisted Strands, said a lot of the women play because it's a great outlet for anger.
Lissa Cunningham, a fourth-year undeclared Chico State student, agrees.
"You can go ram a girl and go out afterwards and there are no hard feelings," Cunningham said.
Her real passion is figure skating, but a friend told her about roller derby, and she thought she might as well try this sport.
Roller derby, not to be confused with roller ball, has gained recent popularity through A&E's television show, "Rollergirls."
The object of the game is for a single skater to pass a large group of skaters. And if the player makes it through the "pack" without being clobbered, points are awarded.
Because the league is new to Chico and players are still learning the game, it's going to be interesting to see what happens, said Breanna "Miss B" Williams, another founder of the league.
"It's gonna be one huge, for lack of a better word, party," she said. "Where else are you going to see adult girls skating, falling, pushing and fighting?"
Besides the game itself, fans will be able to purchase beer and watch rock band Socially Pink.
Although there will be alcohol served, the league welcomes people of all ages to come and see the NorCal Roller Girls.
Chico State student Victoria "Vivacious V" Bentz said she hopes to attract 1,000 fans.
But keep in mind, "It's not your polite little girls' sport," Vivacious V said. "You can drink. You can swear. You can push people."
The Chico Hustlers will take on the Sac City Rollers at 8 p.m. Saturday at Cal Skate Funland. Advance tickets are $10. Tickets will be $12 at the door, which will open at 7 p.m.
Josh Brodleit can be reached at
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