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Ivana Hercha
JCRG: How did you get started in roller derby?
IH: Like so many of us, I went to a Rat City bout in 2005 and was instantly hooked. I wanted to start skating immediately, but was in graduate school and working full time. I made myself a promise that as soon as I finished grad school I would join up. The summer I graduated, Jet City was forming and I went to an open recruit skate at the Skate Deck. That was last August and I have been skating with Jet City ever since!
JCRG: How did you come up with your derby name and what does it mean to you?
IH: Before I even became a rollergirl I came up with "Ivana Hercha" and proceeded to tell everyone that was going to be my name. I soon realized there was a process to register a skater name, and the list already had over 5,000 names on it! There were so many Ivanas, I thought there was no way I could "get" that name. I thought of hundreds of names, but none of them stuck. I finally tried to register Ivana Hercha, and it went through, just like it was meant to be. I liked Ivana Hercha because I'm Hungarian and it sounds very Eastern European.
JCRG: What do you do in your non-derby life (for fun and/or for work)?
IH: I'm a middle school art teacher in a rural public school and play ice hockey year round. I used to have many other hobbies and interests, but derby has taken over most of my life.
JCRG: What has been your best moment so far with the Jet City Rollergirls?
IH: I would have to say being named captain of the Cameron Harem… or now maybe being derby girl of the month. That's pretty cool. Thanks Chicas!
JCRG: Who do you admire, look up to or learn from in the world of derby?
IH: I was blown away by Angela Death, from the Denver Roller Derby travel team when they played Rat City this summer. She's small, but she skates huge and is an incredible jammer. And I've never met a Sockit Wench I didn't like.
JCRG: What advice would you give someone who wants to be a rollergirl?
IH: I would say go for it! We still have open spots on our league, and we welcome new skaters to come out and practice with us. Stick with it, show your commitment, and you too can have your life changed by derby. I've seen amazing transformations in the short year that we have been skating together. It's a fantastic group of women and I'm happy everyday that I'm a part of Jet City!
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