Flying around the track, the BisMan Bombshellz opened their season with a big win. Dustin White photo

Dustin White
Editor

Going into their sixth season, derby fever is beginning to kick up for another year. Building on seasons past, the BisMan Bombshellz, Bombzillas and Bomberz have had the chance to continue with their strong growth.

Kicking of season six with a strong double-header, the Bombshellz and Bomberz had the chance to show the area what derby was all about.

A revival
While roller derby began as far back as the 1880s, initially as endurance races, it wouldn’t be until the mid-1930s until the contemporary sport emerged. A decade later, the golden age of derby would begin as, in 1948, the sport would debut on television, which led to a drastic rise in live attendance.



However, as the popularity of roller derby began to sore, promoters of the televised events sought to make them a full performance, including scripted lines. Viewers were not impressed, and by the late 1960s, the sport was on a decline.

Attempts to revitalize the sport occurred in both the 1980s and 1990s, as new shows were broadcasted on television. However, none were able to last more than a couple seasons. While the sport was unable to garner a television audience, it would grow in another area.

A modern revival began in 2000, and within a decade, more than two thousand teams existed world wide.

At home in Bismarck, the Bismarck Bombshellz would form in 2010. It began with a few local women who decided that the area could use a roller derby team. By 2013, that initial team would expand to three, including one male roller derby team, the Bomberz.

Traveling around the Midwest, the teams remain busy throughout the fall, winter and spring. With practice a couple times a week, as well as a duty to give back to the community, members of the teams build a strong bond not only between each other, but also with area as a whole.

Battling to get ahead of the pack, the BisMan Bombshellz put on a wonderful showing for their first home bout. Dustin White photo

Opening bouts
Beginning their season on Oct. 22, the Bombshellz and Bomberz opened to a room packed with excited fans. With each event being family oriented, fans of all ages bustled around, as their anticipation grew, waiting for the first bout of the night to start.

As with every home bout, the night opened with a brief explanation of roller derby, so that those who were attending their first bout could catch on to the action quickly.

After the opening, the night was filled with a quickly paced game. Soaring around the track, athletes battled each other to push their teams to the lead.

Finishing the first bout, the Bombshellz would take home the win. Raising the bar high for the Bomberz, the male team had a lot to live up to.



Win or lose, the Bomberz were going to put on a great show. Fighting hard, the Bomberz would also take a lead, and finish with a win.

Saving a space for their departed Derby brother, Jason Martis’s jersey occupied a spot on the bench. Dustin White photo

Remembrance.
A fun filled event, the night wasn’t without an amount solemnity. It would be the first season after the passing of a beloved member of the roller derby community: Jason Martis, known as Sacr’e Bleu to his derby family.

Diagnosed with stomach cancer, Martis would bravely fight. Staying up beat, he was ready to take on the fight ahead of him, and the community had his back.

An avid member of the Bomberz, and a mentor to many players, teammates, fans, and even member of other teams began pouring out their support for Martis, which made an impact.

“It really helps, makes me feel good inside knowing that I have a lot of people thinking of me,” Martis said.

On June 22, Martis would lose the battle, and passed from this world. However, his memory, and the impact he made, has lived on in the roller derby community.

Displaying their respect for their fallen teammate, Martis’s jersey would take a seat on the bench for the Bomberz bout, and a moment of silence was held. For many, he was there in spirit.

Dustin White photo