One week ago, the St. Chux Derby Chix reached a major milestone in the league’s five-year existence. The St. Charles County-based rollers received their first-ever invitation to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) annual post-season tournament.
When the governing body revealed its pair of Division 2 international playoff brackets last Tuesday, SC/DC (8-1) was placed in the 10-league playoff that competes in Duluth, Minnesota, August 15-17.
Image Credit: Jeff Higgins
Even more of a rush for the locals, they were listed as the top seed for the weekend event.
“SC/DC is extremely excited to be making our first-ever appearance in post-season play, seeded first in Duluth,” beamed Pack In Black captain Whip L’Ash.
St. Chux faces the winner of the play-in game between #8 Treasure Valley (Boise, ID) and #9 Suburbia (Yonkers, NY) on Friday, August 15.
By all measures, 2014 has been an incredible ride for the red and black-clad coalition. SC/DC, ranked #43 internationally, has climbed 24 positions up the WFTDA ladder since January.
“My teammates never cease to amaze me and we know the competition is fierce, so we have upped our intensity and hope it shows on the track,” said L’ Ash.
If St. Chux claims the Duluth overall playoff duke outright with three straight victories, it advances to the 2014 WFTDA Division 2 Championship game, held in November in Nashville, Tennessee.
It would be an incredible high for a league that was just happy to be merely competitive just a few years prior.
As soon as the immediate euphoria subsided, the financial realities of competing at a global tournament began to sink in for SC/DC. The three-day tourney in Duluth meant four nights of lodging for approximately 16 skaters and its coaching staff. With tourney fees and transportation costs added in, the total expenditure increases.
As a league without corporate backing and high-dollar sponsorship, skaters essentially “pay to play.” They buy their own uniforms and equipment. For road contests, they cram into cars and squeeze into hotel beds.
In short, SC/DC operates on its own dime…a very thin dime.
“We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization,“ said L’ Ash. “We rely on our own pockets and fundraising to continue to support of our athletic endeavors,” she said.
With playoffs quickly approaching, an already thin budget stretched and a 20-hour round-trip auto commute awaiting, SC/DC is utilizing a pair of methods to help support its quest of an international trophy.
SC/DC is hosting a ‘80s-themed trivia night, entitled “Nerd Wars,” on Saturday, August 2 at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall in St. Charles (2500 Raymond Drive.) A table for eight players can be reserved for $160 while individual tickets can be bought for $20. Admission includes complimentary hops-infused beverages. A 50/50 raffle and a ‘80s-themed costume contest will also be held at the all-ages event.
For more information or to make a reservation, contact [email protected] or call (314) 330-3904.
If one doesn’t consider themselves a trivia buff, SC/DC also has a gofundme.com account established to help offset costs, found at THIS LINK HERE. As the St. Chux Derby Chix is a non-profit organization, donations are tax deductible.
As SC/DC continues its future derby dreams, any charitable acts of kindness from the public are greatly appreciated.
“Now, more than ever, we could use fan support to help us get to playoffs,” L’ Ash said.
For more information on the St. Chux Derby Chix, go to stchuxderbychix.com.
