Rollergirls: the Chance of a Lifetime

by Andrew Bailey
Sports & Clubs Editor

Photo: Rollergirls! Council Members from right: Marissa Balahura, Bryndis Ogmundson, Shannon Marie

It all started on August 13th, 1935, smack in the middle of what is now considered to be the “Great Depression.” People were bummed and Seabiscuit wasn’t exactly the hope-lifting phenomenon that Tobey Maguire would have you believe. A new dance marathon craze was sweeping the nation, which featured shiny nerds dancing horribly with other shiny nerds; it was truly an abysmal time for everyone. That is until Chicago promoter Leo Seltzer came up with a concept that would evolve into one of the greatest spectator sports that I have ever known, and I’m a single dude with an intense cable package who rarely leaves his couch, so that’s saying something.
To compete with the dance marathon craze sweeping the nation Seltzer came up with the first ever Roller Derby. Unlike the mega-sport which we know it as today, Seltzer’s Roller Derby consisted of just one man and one woman teams skating around a track showcasing endurance, it was kind of like cross country skiing, sort of. The sport remained like this until cultural genius, and my personal hero, New York sportswriter Damon Runyan went to a Roller Derby event in 1938 and saw two skaters tussling with each other for a short while and realized immediately how this sport needed to evolve. Soon fierce all-girl Roller Derby leagues were created, demonstrating speed, skill, and toughness. The rest, as they say, is history as such heroes as Midge “Toughie” Brashuhn and Gerry Murray catapulted Runyan’s concept into a widely beloved sport that Uncle Leon and the Alibis sing about so fondly in their hit “Roller Derby Saved My Soul.”
Today’s sport is a hybrid of passionate, durable, young women who compete and have loads of fun by creating unique personas and wearing flashy kick-ass outfits.
Now on to the tremendously terrific news that Andrew Bailey is absolutely stoked about: Thanks to the first ever recipient of Bailey’s heroes award, Bryndis Ogmundson, women in Prince George have the incredible opportunity to participate in the Roller Derby phenomenon. Bryndis has won hero status among her peers, with the help of a small group of ladies in town, by creating an all-female Roller Derby League in Prince George. If you’re a woman reading this article and are over the age of 19 than I strongly encourage you to take advantage of this fantastically unique opportunity. No pre-requisites or any type of athletic ability is needed, and there will be plenty of practices for interested women to take part in before any teams are finalized to give every woman a chance to learn the sport and build on their ability, most notably how to skate on four wheeled shoes. Seriously ladies, dudes dig Rollergirls in the biggest of ways, and it is also an amazing way to meet interesting and fun women like yourself and build incredible relationships in a team dynamic, as well as participating in a sporting event while dressed like a total rockstar! Practices start soon and, as this is a new league, there is tons of space for all women interested. If you can’t skate, or have never even heard of Roller Derby before it does not matter, just come out and participate in practices, because every other woman will be starting from the same place you are, and everyone will develop their skills together.
If you are interested, and you bloody well better be, information and sign up sheets are available at Meow Records downtown (100-300 Brunswick St.), or through Bryndis Ogmundson (pictured next to this article) who is an extremely nice and tremendously approachable lady, usually found around the radio office or Meow Records, and would be ecstatic to answer any questions you may have. If you can’t find either Meow Records or Bryndis, then come by the newspaper office and I’ll point you in the right direction. Don’t let this opportunity pass you by as it will give you a lifetime of memories and stories to trump other ladies at parties. “Oh you won the Nobel prize last year? Well I was a flippin’ Rollergirl!” You’ll see who people are more interested in.
Dudes can also participate through a variety of volunteer opportunities, I myself will be volunteering and really guys, seriously, its Rollergirls, get a clue and get involved. Class dismissed.

Math & Physics Society Symposium

By Simran Lehal
News Editor

The Math and Physics Society not only has MACE to call their own, but has also just successfully coordinated the biannual Math and Physics Symposium for all students on campus.
Talks ranged from proper origami folding to group theory to improving board quality in the forest industry with presenters from Alberta, Kamloops, and UNBC.
Dr. Matt Reid showcased how terahertz technology can be used to see-through objects and vaporize water without the heavy radiation of x-rays or the low resolution of microwaves. Potential applications include use in security screening, military devices, and wood product control.
Dr. Jennifer Hyndman articulated the science behind origami folding, using simple principles of geometry to demonstrate how paper-flaps can be used to create larger and larger shapes of highly-folded paper.
The well-attended talks were non-math/physics-major-friendly. Estimations averaged 20 attendees per discussion, with approximately 40% being non-math/physics major students.
Hal Friesen, the current president of the Math and Physics Society, feels “the symposium always brings together Society members, in part because of the work put into the event, and also brings out people who are just interested.”
The Math & Physics Society also puts on other discussions and social events throughout the year. Interested students wanting to be part can contact Friesen in MACE on the 2nd floor Teaching & Learning Building or at halfriesen@gmail.com.

Get Involved in International Elections

by Christina Bjorn-Hansen
No, we’re not talking about the race between Clinton and Obama, nor are we talking about the Russian presidential election to find a successor to Putin. We want YOU to come forward and either volunteer, or nominate and vote for someone else, to be a part of the 2008/2009 executive board of the International Studies Student Association (ISSA). Alright, it’s not exactly an international election, but how else would we get you to read this?
Don’t confuse us with the International Students Association, which we are not. However, I’m sure we have some things in common, like: being more than averagely interested when listening to the international news (or at least pretending to be), having a desire to travel and learn about other countries, speaking a second language (INTS majors have to, to get their degree), and, ironically enough, the executive board consists of mostly foreigners. Most importantly we, like many other clubs on campus, are having difficulties engaging YOU in YOUR events.
Our impression is that the student body (you) doesn’t seem to take interest in the variety of clubs that are available. Don’t forget that if you don’t use us, we will disappear. We are not here for us to have something to do, we are here to do the things you want us to do. As a student, I know that I can’t join every club that looks interesting or pay for every dinner, ski night, pub night, etc. that is offered. What I can do is take part in shaping my university experience, in school as well as out.
The ISSA is a student driven club that benefits anybody interested in international issues. We arrange a variety of academic and social events, where students and professors exchange ideas and get to know each other a little better. Giving everyone a chance to engage in discussions related to that little world going on, outside of Prince George, without being graded. As we also have the chance to air our ideas at the INTS program meetings, voicing student’s concerns about things like what courses are offered, what jobs are available, etc., we need to know what issues concern you.
Students who are Majors and Minors in International Studies are naturally the main body of the club. But it is open for all! Join our Facebook group, ‘UNBC ISSA’, and you can get more info about our ongoing activities and positions on the executive board that are up for election March 18th, or send us an e-mail at issa.unbc@gmail.com. Upcoming events this month:
ISSA Elections: Tuesday, March 18th, 5pm – send an e-mail (issa.unbc@gmail.com) or join our facebook group ‘UNBC ISSA’, to show your interest and check out the available positions on the ISSA executive board.
Blood Drive:
For those who signed up in January, don’t forget to donate blood on either the 13th, 20th or 27th. Remember to say that you are from UNBC.

Other Social events:
Ski-night
Bowling night
Hot Pot Dinner
Movie Night
Other Academic events:
Various guest lectures from CIDA, Red Cross etc.
International Coffee Hour (starting fall, 2009)

Get Medieval for Charity

by Mitchell Grant

Swords clashed and shields rattled on Saturday, March 1, 2008 as, clad in red and black, the UNBC medieval club fought a charity tournament in the Winter Garden.
The tournament, while organized last minute, consisted of eight “heavy” fighters, fighting with sword and shield and in heavy armor ranging from plate steel to leather or plastic, yet well designed suits. In attendance were also two “light” fighters –a first for the UNBC medieval club- fighting with rapiers in combat similar to fencing, but slightly more aggressive and using real but dulled rapiers.
The fighters were required to pay an entry fee and declare a charity of their own upon entering. Following that they were allowed to purchase extra “lives” for two dollars and people watching were permitted to bid on the fighters to fight for their own charities instead of the fighters’ personal choice. Charities of the day included the SPCA, The Royal Canadian Legion, Cervical Cancer, Prostate Cancer, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund and World Vision.
Ultimately, only one fighter had to win, with Kurgan the Mad crushing all those who challenged his cause of JDRF and raising $522.05 for the noble cause. The club was so encouraged by this result that it is entering plans to hold this tournament annually if not bi or even tri-yearly. It is open to anyone who wishes to attend to bid on fighters and have a charity of their choosing championed, or one may show up to the clubs Thursday practices at 7:00 pm in the Rotunda (first floor of the old lab building with the “echo” circle) and train so they may champion their own cause.
The Medieval club would like to publicly thank all those who turned out in support of charities and hopes that they will again help to make this tournament a success in the future.