So, how’d you get into roller derby?
Haulin’ Cass: I was living in Austin in 2003 when I saw a public access show called “Free Beer,” where some cowboy-hat wearing Texas Rollergirls were threatening to beat up the reporter. I thought they were crazy! Then my co-worker organized a “work outing” to go see the Gotham Girls, and I was blown away by how athletic, tough, and just all-around awesome these women are. From that day on, I knew I HAD to play this sport.

Do you have a background in skating?
HC: No background in skating. In fact, I was always pretty terrible at it.

Have you done any other sports?
HC: I did competitive cheerleading for 4 years (think flips, tossing girls, booty-shaking and lots of make-up). We made it to Nationals every year and were on ESPN. [Also] grew up playing rugby and football with the boys until they grew up to be linebackers and I stayed 5’ 1”.

Wow, you’re multitalented! Any other hidden talents?
HC: I’m really good at hooking up people’s entertainment systems (four years of film school put to work!), can cook a mean lasagna, and can recite pi out to 54 places (should you need that info). I also took tap lessons for 9 years, so I can shuffle off to Buffalo if the mood strikes me.

Back to derby for a second…How’d you get your derby name?
HC: When I was sent away (or ran away) to a super-snooty all-girls school, my mom sent out postcards to my friends saying “We Hauled cASS to Dallas.” It kinda stuck. And I CAN haul some ass when I have the right motivation…such as knocking Dainty [Inferno, rookie for the Bronx Gridlock] on her fiery ass! (just kidding…sort of!)

Those sound like fightin’ words to me. What position(s) do you like to play the most and why?
HC: I really enjoy playing 4 (which is the back blocker). It’s the basher position, and basically, you’re trying to kill the jammer. And as a Queen of Pain, I enjoy the chance to inflict a little suffering.

What’s your favorite aspect of derby?
HC: I think my favorite thing about derby is the fact that all these beautiful, smart, tough women from different walks of life have gotten together and created a whole new sport for themselves…and it’s rough, it’s athletic, and totally sexy. To me, that’s a beautiful thing. These women inspire me every day…and then I hit them.

You mentioned that you went to school in Dallas and used to live in Austin. Where are you originally from?
HC: [I’m] originally from Podunk U.S.A., otherwise known as Denison, Texas (about 75 miles north of Dallas). Grew up on a non-working ranch. Denison’s claim to fame is that it’s the birthplace of Dwight D. Eisenhower, though he didn’t even know it (sad!). Think dusty small town, football, beer. Seen Friday Night Lights? I lived that.

What do you do in your off-skates life? How does Haulin’ Cass pay the bills?
HC: I’m an assistant production accountant on a dramatic television series. That means I spend most of my day helping track costs on the production. Fun days are when we’re shooting on the stages. Two words: craft service! Our cast and crew is down-to-earth, friendly, and extremely talented, so I’m very lucky (no divas!). Though you usually don’t think of accounting when you think of TV, someone has to pay the invoices for “one human brain” or “burnt corpse” or “chocolate brownie used for poop”…three items that have come across my desk.

I never would have guessed you were an accountant. Although now that pi-reciting thing makes more sense. Besides an awesome memory, what are the personality traits that you think help you the most in derby?
HC: Drive, a competitive streak, good body-awareness, intelligence, organization (to keep all those practice days straight!)…and sugar, spice, and everything nice.

So you bring a lot to the table in those ways. Now the flipside: how has playing with the Gotham Girls changed your life?
HC: Playing with the Gotham Girls and playing derby in general has changed my life in so many ways, but the one I really didn’t expect is how much I like myself and my body now. That sounds very “Mr. Rogers,” but it’s true. I always felt like a weirdo because I liked being girly, but I also wanted to physically knock people around, and that wasn’t well-received where I grew up. Now I realize there are thousands of women like me, and they’re not afraid to hand out a good ass-whuppin’. And finally, my body is my friend. So what if I don’t have a tiny, size 0 waist? My stocky Scotch-Irish-Filipino build is gonna knock someone into the stands!

That’s really inspiring. Any tips for aspiring derby girls out there?
HC: Release your inner warrior!

Bottom line: how would you sum yourself up in 5 words or less?
HC: Small but packs a punch.

Truer words were never spoken. All in all, this small package from big Texas is one to watch in 2008! You can catch her in action with the Queens of Pain on May 10th against the Manhattan Mayhem, June 28th against the Brooklyn Bombshells, and August 16th versus the Bronx Gridlock. Buy your tickets now!

Want to know more about Haulin' Cass? Check out her profile page!