Finding My Place on the Track: Why Roller Derby Officiating Is My Happy Place by CleoSmackYa Jones
- Chicago Style
- Mar 28
- 3 min read
I’m an official, and I have to say, this role has been an adventure! Officiating has given me the chance to travel to exciting places, meet amazing people, and dive into experiences I never dreamed of. In the past 15 years, I’ve learned three different rulesets, officiated in another country, and even tried my hand at coaching—although I’ve never actually skated myself. I love what I do, and I’m not planning on slowing down anytime soon!
My journey kicked off in 2009 when I decided to check out a volunteer recruitment night at Kedzie Inn after my first roller derby experience with Windy City Rollers. I didn’t know what to expect or what I was getting into; I just knew I was amazed at what I saw and wanted to help in any way possible. I remember feeling way out of place because I was the ONLY African American person there, and coupled with my already shy and gauche attitude, I wasn’t sure that I would stick around. But as soon as the conversations started flowing, I felt an instant connection. It was like finding my tribe—I knew I belonged here!
When it comes to why I chose officiating over skating, it’s a bit of a funny story. I actually started out dreaming of being a skater, picturing myself on eight wheels, being badass, and knocking everyone on their ass with these sized 22 hips. But skating is NOT like riding a bicycle. As a kid, I could skate, fall, get up, and keep going. As an adult (and 200+ lbs heavier), getting up wasn’t as easy as it once was, and being the sole caregiver to my kids, I couldn’t risk injuring myself to the point where I could no longer work. So, I left skating to Midnight Skates at Orbit and friendly get-togethers. But as I started officiating, I quickly realized just how vital it is to the game—it’s every bit as important as being on the track!
Every point, penalty, jam start & stop, and official review means something to the skaters and teams. Sports stats are super important because they help everyone involved understand how players and teams are doing. Coaches use them to figure out strategies and see what needs to improve, while players can track their progress and work on their skills. For fans, stats make the game more interesting and spark conversations about players and teams. They also keep the sport’s history alive by allowing us to compare different eras. Overall, stats play a huge role in making sports more engaging for players, coaches, and fans alike, and being a part of that is just as fulfilling as being out there on the track (to me, at least).
I really do love being an official. I genuinely love what I do, and I’m grateful that I found roller derby and the wonderful community that comes with it. Every moment on this journey has reinforced my passion for the sport and the connections I’ve built along the way.
I look forward to many more years of excitement, growth, and camaraderie in this incredible world of roller derby and to the passion and adventures yet to come!
Are you interested in joining the officiating team at Chicago-Style Roller Derby? You can reach out to us to learn more about how you can become a official or referee at officiating@chicagostylerollerderby.com
Author: CleoSmackYa Jones
Director of Officiating
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