What’s your derby name & number?
Mortricia
#1313
What’s your age & job?
56 (which sounds insanely old)
Corporate Accountant (which sounds insanely boring)
Do you live in the city or the suburbs?
Born in the city but migrated steadily westward into the western burbs.
How long have you been a part of the Dames?
Since their inception, which I think was March or April of 2011.
How did you get involved with the Dames?
Mr. Mortricia and myself went to the first recruitment as reporters from his local paper (now out of print). Millie Brawl convinced me to come to practice the following night and I took her up on it and I didn’t die.
What is your favorite part about being involved with the Dames?
The people for sure. I’ve met some of the best people on the planet since becoming a Dame.
How has being involved in roller derby and/or being a Dame changed you?
I can do math in my head, like adding up columns, much faster now.
Finish this sentence, “The Dames represent…”
The Dames represent everything good about roller derby.
What advice would you give someone thinking about joining roller derby?
What are you waiting for? Derby has a place for everyone no matter your talents, both on skates and off skates.
Why did you become an Non-Skating Official (NSO)?
I always wanted to volunteer as a “bookie” (The Chicago Outfit’s former name for their NSOs), so making the switch from mediocre skater to NSO was pretty easy after I messed up my knee months after joining. I hung up my skates for good about a few years ago.
What is something interesting that no one would guess about you?
Before my derby career, I spent my time putting together playlists for my weekly internet radio show, “The Trish List.”
Do you have any stupid human tricks?
I can say the ingredients to a Big Mac backwards. (Back in the black and white days of TV, McDonalds used a catchy jingle to introduce the burger. And yes, that means I’m older than the Big Mac.)
Are you an Introvert or an Extrovert?
I don’t mind hanging around people but after a few days of it, I need a little solace to recharge.
If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Buoyant.
What’s your most embarrassing derby moment?
Alas, there are a few top contenders but … Having to get the Interleague Game Reporting Form (IGRF) at a tournament resigned by Captains because I didn’t double-check the penalty counts—was prob the toughest to swallow. However, I’ll never make that mistake again. I double-check everything now!
If you’ve traveled to a tournament, what’s your favorite tournament memory?
Wow, there are a lot. From working playoffs and champs [WFTDA Championships] with rock-star skaters and officials, to heading up stellar crews of talented NSOs. But if I had to pick one, it would weirdly be from my toughest tournament. One of my fave memories is heading up the crew that worked the championship game at Midwest Derby Fest, which the Dames ended up winning (although pretty much everything else about that tournament was a dumpster fire).
If you could fangirl/fanboy any derby player, who would it be and why?
There are a number of unrequited crushes I have (both skaters and officials), but if I have to pick one, Bonnie Thunders. Because not only am I in awe of how cut she is, and not just because she’s nice, but mostly her class. I will forever picture her embracing Lauren Mutch, the opposing jammer, who just helped beat Bonnie’s team in the WFTDA championship game. That’s the definition of class.
Mortricia officiating at the 2017 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs in Seattle, WA
Mortricia with other Dames officials at the 2017 WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs in Seattle, WA
A mini Mortricia
