Most of the time when someone says “a movie changed my life,” they don’t mean it literally. However, that is not the case for Gunnison native Hillary Buscovick.
Shortly after moving from Gunnison to Portland, Oregon, in 2010, Buscovick watched Drew Barrymore and Elliot Page’s “Whip It” for the first time. A week later, she found herself researching roller derby groups and joined Portland’s Rose City Rollers, where her life was changed forever. She later moved from Portland to Denver and now plays for Denver Roller Derby. This year marks her 16th year competing in roller derby.
Buscovick, better known as Scald Eagle in the derby world, plays the jammer position, the primary offensive and only point-scoring role in the game. When she first stepped into the role, most other jammers were “more slight and jukey.” Buscovick, standing just under 6 feet tall, was encouraged to try blocking over jamming. Instead, she reshaped the position to suit her own height and body type, blending power and agility, and began traveling the world, coaching the jamming skills she had developed.
“The cool thing about roller derby is that there’s room for any body type,” Buscovick said. “Like any full contact sport at the highest level, size can be helpful. But it’s not the end-all, be-all.”
Roller derby is more than just a sport; it’s a community. Being one of the most inclusive sports in the world, derby offers a safe space for people of all genders, body types and backgrounds. Buscovick has met her best friends while playing, getting her social and exercise needs met at the same time. The track also serves as a place where Buscovick can be both silly and competitive simultaneously. Though through her signature eagle-like facepaint, no one would be able to tell that she loves to have fun.
“People always say, ‘You look so scary. I didn’t expect you to be all full of puns and fart jokes,’” she said. “I’m just a big goober and softie in real life, but on the track I mean business.”
Roller derby has been a great opportunity for Buscovick to work on her conflict resolution and team-building skills. Drama comes with every sport, but Buscovick thinks that it makes her team better. Seeing the best and worst in people has allowed the team to grow collectively, and has allowed Buscovick to practice leadership.
“Navigating that stuff is super worth it,” she said. “I think we all grow as human beings within the sport, even though the drama can feel over the top sometimes.”
She encourages anyone interested in roller derby to give it a shot. But she recommends “off-skate” gym workouts to prevent injury and build strength before joining.
“If people are struggling to find community, it’s a great place to come,” Buscovick said. “It’s a super safe space to come build friendships and be physical and do cool things.”
Buscovick’s upbringing in Gunnison contributes heavily to her derby life. She grew up playing sports like softball and ice hockey and stated that playing the center position influenced her desire to become a jammer, as it gave her a more offensive mindset.
She also has a background in archery and bow hunting, which she gives a lot of credit for when it comes to jamming.
“My determination, perseverance, and grit on the track come from my experience with hunting and having to be creative and aware of my surroundings,” said Buscovick. “I do consider hunting a fundamental piece of my athletic ability.”
She stated that hunting also serves as good cross-training for roller derby outside of the team’s scheduled practice, which is four nights a week of intense training. Balancing work, hobbies, and derby is difficult, as derby is time-consuming.
In her everyday life, she describes herself as a “turnkey contractor” who does a little bit of everything, from heavier-duty construction to meticulous punch-list work. Buscovick does any work she can, but most of it involves handiwork and restoration. She splits all of her projects between Denver, Gunnison, and even Portland. Her long-term goal is to work in Victorian restoration and help millennials and Gen Z break into the housing market.
After taking first place at a postseason tournament in Richmond, California, Denver is ranked second in the world according to the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association. Buscovick and the team are living and breathing roller derby as they prepare for Champs.
This year, Champs takes place in Malmö, Sweden, in mid-October. Fans can tune in to the championship live on WFTDA.tc, which hosts the tournament's central streaming platform and sells weekend watch passes.
Fans can follow Buscovick on Instagram at @ScaldEagle, and keep up with Denver Roller Derby and the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association on their league and organization pages on Instagram and Facebook.
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