STATE COLLEGE — Whether you’re a lifelong athlete or someone who’s never laced up a pair of skates, the State College Area Roller Derby (SCAR) league wants you to know there’s a place for you on the track!
On Monday, Sept. 1, at 7 p.m., SCAR will hold its open recruitment session at C3 Sports, welcoming new faces to learn more about joining the hard-hitting, high-energy world of roller derby. Known for its inclusivity and fierce camaraderie, the league is hoping to see its newest Fresh Cuts class take off and smash a few stereotypes along the way.
“Coming to the first meeting and first practice can feel intimidating, but everybody that is a part of SCAR has gone through the same thing,” veteran skater Grateful Shred said. “We all understand that it’s new and scary. A lot of people say that they’re ‘too old’ or ‘not in good enough shape’ to play derby, but our team is one of the most diverse groups of people I have ever met.”
For SCAR, the mission goes far beyond sport. The league embraces skaters of all backgrounds, ages, fitness levels and identities, offering a space where support and empowerment roll hand-in-hand with competition.
The Fresh Cuts program, which serves as the league’s entry point for new skaters, is designed with accessibility and skill-building in mind. The nine-week course introduces rookies to the sport gradually, starting with basic safety and balance before progressing to footwork and controlled contact.
“New classes typically start with learning how to safely fall on and off skates, then move into the basics of footwork, and will eventually work up to how to safely give and receive hits from other players,” Shred explained.
Participants are expected to attend at least 75% of practices during the program, but progress is personalized. At the end of the nine weeks, skaters can choose to join the full league or continue working with Fresh Cuts coaches until they’re ready to move forward.
And the best part? There’s no upfront cost. SCAR provides loaner gear and training at no initial expense. Only after a skater commits to the league do dues come into play and even then, financial help is available through the league’s Betty Fund, which ensures no one is turned away because of cost.
“We do not ever want finances to be what prevents somebody from joining our league,” Shred said. “All members have access to use the Betty Fund, which can cover dues for skaters that do not have the means to pay that amount out of pocket.”
In addition to bouts, SCAR’s skaters often lend their time and energy to community service, fundraising and local events. But with lower numbers this season, those efforts have been more limited than the team would like.
“Increased numbers allow us to continue to help with events around the community as well as support causes we believe in,” Shred said.
From bruises to breakthroughs, SCAR is about transformation and it all starts with that first brave step onto the rink.
To learn more about the Monday, Sept. 1, open recruitment at C3 Sports or to ask questions, interested individuals are encouraged to reach out via email through SCAR’s website at scarderby.com.
