July Skater of the Month: No Gus No Glory!

This is a new feature where a new skater will be profiled each month. Join me as we dig into the details of what makes these skaters tick!

Name: No Gus No Glory
Number: 33
Position: Blocker/Jammer/Pivot
Local Team: RiverFront Crimes

No Gus No Glory is sadly leaving us as he is moving to Milwaukee. We hope to see him regularly as the Milwaukee Blitzdkrieg continues to grow!

How did you find out about the GateKeepers and when did you join?
My first time to witness a GK practice was March 30th 2010 after coming across an article on stltoday.com and the following week I was on skates. Juke (aka Mr. Bollocks! HA!) & NoFX also popped their cherries that night. Not a bad Newbie class for the Keepers eh?

Why did you get into Derby?
I got in to derby back when I was living in Boston. A friend of mine in Austin was telling me about women’s roller derby down there. Punk rock chicks, Beer, debauchery….SIGN. ME. UP. After some Googlin’ I found the Boston Derby Dames. A couple of us started going religiously, and it ended up turning into a saturday night we looked forward to every month for about 12-14 of us. At the time though, it really was just going to drink and watch the girls. I had a very basic understanding of the sport but playing never crossed my mind.

Who do you think has had the most influence on your style of play?
This is an absolutely impossible question for me to answer. We simply are so stacked with talented guys. You’ve probably noticed I’m rather quiet at practices. It’s because I’m watching and analyzing each and every player and their technique, style, swagger, and moves then wondering how I can get my body to move that way, or out of the way! There isn’t a person I’ve skated with that I haven’t learned from. If you’re on the TT, you can be sure you’ve influenced me heavily.

What skates and wheels do you use?
Riedell 1065, Reactor plates, Rockets Bearings, Atom Juke Slims 93a.

What was your favorite moment as a GateKeeper?
Spring Roll 2011 was surreal. I was still very new to GKRD when 2010 went down and I wasn’t able to attend. I spent that weekend in bed watching all the mens bouts and freaking out. After that, I vowed to not miss SR2011 under ANY circumstances. I’ve never felt happier to be part of something than wearing GK green, cheering, and playing at Spring Roll 2011.

What is your pre-bout ritual?
One 40oz Colt45. Works every time. Just kidding Magnum! I just show up and play…I’m not very superstitious or ritualistic.

What advice do you have for other skaters?
Nothing in this sport or this organization is *given* to you. You absolutely get out of it what you put into it. I’ve seen quite a few people come and go bc they don’t have the drive to work hard, but they won’t hold themselves responsible and dish out excuses and blame. Only you can create your place and importance in this league. Don’t get butthurt if you don’t make the travel team by the end of your first practice. If you have questions, ASK SOMEONE!!!!! PS: HAVE FUN. DONT GIVE UP!!!!! Plus a few more rah rah go team cliches.

What is your favorite food?
As you know, we’re pretty into food, but at the end of the day, an insanely well cooked and prepared stuffed Pablano pepper made by my girlfriend cannot be topped.

What is your favorite thing to do outside of Derby?

Try new restaurants, explore new cities, vintage motorcycles, supporting local music!!!

If you could remove one penalty from the game what would it be?
I really am liking the concept of removing minors, especially in mens derby. It still needs to be tweaked, but I simply can’t stand minors. They’re almost always the reason I go to the box. (The rest of the time, it’s the refs fault!) Love You Rockity!

What will you miss the most when you leave St. Louis?
In all honesty, The GateKeepers are the only thing I don’t think I can socially replace in Milwaukee. Having been around since early on in the league, it has become apart of me, and certainly part of my identity. Yes, I’ll be skating up there, but there’s no way *THIS* can be replaced. It just won’t happen. I love you guys!

Final Thoughts: I want to add one thing: Bat Wing and Magnum, thank you so much for creating this monster. You may or may not realize it, but you guys have changed, and will continue to change peoples lives.

Be sure to check back next month as we profile another GateKeeper.

See you at the bouts!
Star-Spangled Hammer