Roller Derby

Over the weekend, two friends and I dared to explore the exciting world of roller derby. Before the show, I had no idea what a roller derby was. I had heard an advertisement on the radio and thought that it sounded fun. So I rounded up a few friends and down we went.

The event was outrageous. I had never before seen anything like it. All of the women, in this girls-only sport, were dressed up in bright colors and skimpy outfits. Before the show they paraded around, engaging the audience, and selling their t-shirts and other paraphernalia.

The audience was just as entertaining to watch as the roller girls. I think every lesbian couple in Eugene must have been in attendance. Girls in the audience were wearing outfits mimicking the original style of the roller girls, and kids were running everywhere.

As I sat in the bleachers I heard the announcer say that the event was sold-out with 2,000 screaming fans. As I sat there looking around, I thought about how this event drew a very particular crowd. I wondered who marketed it. (I thought about how I had heard it on the radio.) Then I started – as I tend to do – to consider how I would have organized this event if I was the PR person in charge.

I liked how the roller derby girls engaged the audience, skated among the fans, and allowed people to take their pictures. What I didn’t like about the event was the speaker system. There were two announcers, and I couldn’t understand a word they said. There was loud music blaring during the entire, five-hour event, and I couldn’t hear the announcers’ voices over the music.

After the first quarter of the event I made an expedition to the one and only bathroom nearby. And boy was I glad I didn’t have an emergency! First, I had to stand in line for about 10 minutes, and that was just to get in the door. I thought that if I were planning this event, I would bring in some port-a-potties and have them set up outside.

Finally, my greatest critique of the event came during half-time. I don’t know whose idea it was to bring in four of the weakest break-dancers that I have ever seen. All I know is that almost any performers would have been more entertaining than they were.

As I continue to study public relations I find myself making observations like these everywhere I go. I hope that it’s a good thing. I like to think that I am exhibiting a natural tendency, or special talent, in public relations. Is anyone else in my class experiencing similar situations? Are you finding that you can’t stop thinking like a public relations professional? If you are, then I say, “Good for you! You are probably in the right field.”