Fans Can Make a Difference
This Sunday at Verizon Wireless Theater, Houston derby fans will have a chance to see their champions skate against the Texas Rollergirls’ champions. The Texas Rollergirls are the fourth-rannked team nationally, although they beat the third-ranked team the last time they played them by more than 60 points. This means the visiting Hell Marys are a really good, all star-laden team that will likely be favored over the Psych Ward Sirens.
The difference I believe can be the fans of Houston, being loud and proud of their Houston Roller Derby skaters. Sunday night in Austin, I was talking with one of the skaters who last year was in Houston at the Governor’s Cup. I asked her why she was so hyper at the end of the bout against Houston and she said, “Have you ever been booed by 2,000 fans?” Well, I don’t think there were 2,000 fans that night, and I don’t think every fan was booing her, but that was her perception.
In a way, I think this is a compliment to the Houston fans. They were loud and very supportive of their hometown skaters. I think the Hell Marys, especially their younger players, have not played in a large venue like Verizon Wireless Theater. And they certainly don’t know how loud and crazy the Psych Ward Sirens fans can be at Verizon. Throw in some support from other league fans, and I think the fans can help make a 20- or 30-point difference by encouraging their home team skaters.
That’s just my opinion of course, but I hope all you Houston fans will make the special effort to show up and support your local team and show the folks from Austin just how great the Houston fans are.
Phil Arnold,
Austin, Texas