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At age 55, the 1970 THS graduate has stayed the course in his studies, earning his undergraduate degree from Appalachian State University, a master’s at Wake Forest University and his Ph.D. from Florida State University.
But during the course of his freshman year in college, Hill became intrigued by a sport spreading the nation called roller derby.
“I watched it on TV as a kid and got interested in it,” Hill said. “I took a few weeks off from school at Appalachian and followed teams around. I met the general manager of a team and learned of a training school in California. The summer after my freshman year I got involved in the training school. I started in the minors and later got called up to fill in on a major team.”
Now, after being out of the sport for 21 years and never putting on his skates, Hill has returned to the physically demanding event and has been suiting up for the Chicago Pioneers.
But why would a man of his age want to go back to such a grueling sport?
“I wanted to prove I could still do it. I missed it. There is nothing like the feeling of skating around a banked track,” Hill said.
The fans play an important role in the sport. Hill said they have their good guys and bad guys, and Hill just happens to be a skater that the fans do not take a liking too.
“People hate me,” Hill said. “They call me everything from crazy, to psychotic, to wild. They love to hate me.”
The rules of the game are simple.
Two teams comprised of a male and female squad participate in separate games with five skaters on the track for each team. When the whistle is blown, skaters called ‘jammers’ break from the pack and circle the banked track. There are two blockers for each team and a pivot skater that tries to keep the opposing teams jammer from getting around them by slamming into each other. Jammers score points for each opposing player passed, and have 60 seconds to complete the jam.
Hill’s colleagues find his hobby to be quite humorous, but hold him in high regards for proving he can still get it done at 55.
“People who know I do it get a kick out of it,” Hill said. “It is really interesting to see their reactions, but it is all very positive.”
Roller derby has seen its share of serious injuries over the years, but Hill has been lucky enough to avoid anything major. Other than a few cuts, muscle tears and bumps and bruises, Hill has come out of each game healthy.
The game has fizzled out since the 80s, but appears to be making headway again, especially on the West Coast.
“I think the sport has a chance to grow again,” Hill said. “I don’t know if it will get back to the point where we had it back in the 1970s and ‘80s, but some good things are starting to happen.”
First signs of a step forward came with a television contract recently being finalized, which will air an Aug. 23 game between Hill’s Pioneers and the popular San Francisco Bombers. This will be an extra special contest for Hill, as he will be having a one-on-one race with Bomber captain ‘Maverick’ at the Kezar Pavilion.
“He is a big boy,” Hill said. “It is four laps and anything goes.”
Audrey Clodfelter, a Thomasville resident and Hill’s mother, has seen her son achieve many great things in life. Though not a big fan of his chosen hobby, Clodfelter fully supports whatever he chooses to do.
“Honestly, I think he is nuts,” she said with a laugh. “But I want him to do whatever makes him happy. He is a wonderful young man.”
Only time will tell whether or not roller derby will be completely resurrected to what it once was in this country, but Hill will always hold it in high regards. He may not be as young and strong as the guy skating next to him, but when it comes to heart and determination, he is untouchable on the track.
Sports Editor Zach Kepley can be reached at 472-9500, ext. 234, or at kepley@tvilletimes.com.