15 Questions with Hannah Inzko

How did you first get into roller derby? What sparked your interest? 

Like a lot of people, I have loved roller skating since I was a little kid. As an adult, I tend to gravitate towards hobbies that are just outside of the norm so when a co-worker introduced me to roller derby, it was a perfect fit. It’s fun, it’s physically challenging, and it’s an opportunity to be genuinely, authentically yourself. 

Do you have a derby name and what is the story behind it? (Or, what are some of the best roller derby names you’ve heard)

My roller derby name is Hebruiser (more often shortened to bruiser) and that was bestowed upon me by my previous team because I am half Jewish and I really appreciate a good bruise, which I tend to get a lot of with roller derby. 

Roller derby names are the most fun! There is an international registry of Derby names that you can check against when coming up with your own, and then register your own name. The names here are fantastic! A couple of the names that I really like from my former team (State College Area Rollers, SCAR) and from the team that I’m currently playing with (Greensboro Roller Derby, GSORD) are; “Ovarian Fist,” “Dolly Farton,”  “Cruella de wheels,” “Eat My Sparklz,” “Black out Betty,” and SO many others. 

For those who don’t know, can you explain how a roller derby bout works?

In the simplest form, a Derby bout is broken up into two halves, with an intermission in between. On the track you have five players from each team, each playing a different type of role. The player with the star on their helmet is called the jammer and they are the point scorers. One jammer from each team starts at a jam line with the 3 blockers and a pivot from each team positioned on the track. Blockers play both offense and defense. The number of players that a jammer passes from the OTHER team, on each lap, during a jam will each count as a point. Each jam can last up to two minutes and there are an unlimited number of jams that can be played during each half. 

Roller derby is a pretty physical sport – have you experienced or witnessed any injuries? 

As with any sport, some injuries are inevitable. What I really like about roller derby is when you first start playing the sport they have a six week program called academy, and during this time the focus for each new player is how to fall safely and improve balance, so that you minimize your risk of major injury. Personally I have sprained my ankle a few times, I’ve gotten a tiny tear in my knee (MCL), and I’ve hurt my shoulder. I have witnessed some pretty sick injuries, most recently a new referee fell and shattered his ankle right on the track, but that is the first time I’d ever seen something like that. We have several players who are also medics and are present for every practice, and EMS is at every bout. 

If someone wanted to try roller derby, how should they go about getting involved? 

It is a well-known joke amongst the team that if you hang out with me too long, I will eventually recruit you to join the roller derby. There are now six Wake Forest staff and faculty that are active members of the Greensboro roller derby team. Anyone that is interested in learning more can email membership@greensbororollerderby.com or by filling out this form.

And I will also give a shameless plug for our upcoming bout on July 12 in Greensboro, with the first game starting at 2 p.m. 

How long have you worked at WFU? 

I have been lucky enough to work at Wake Forest University for just over eight years.

In layman’s terms, what’s your job here at WFU? 

As the executive director for academic technology, I have a few different hats that I wear. Regular overview and evaluation of our current technology for teaching portfolio, managing those platforms that are used specifically for teaching and learning such as Canvas (our LMS), Poll Everywhere, Voicethread, etc. I also spent a good amount of time working with faculty who are interested in incorporating technology or digital literacy skills into the curriculum. We ensure the students in these classes are supported, as well as the faculty, throughout the process. We have grant opportunities for faculty interested in trying out new technology, and I am standing co-chair of the committee on information technology which is an integral part of the IT governance process. I also teach an EDU101 course every spring semester called Digital Literacy in the 21st Century, which serves as an excellent way to see how our technology decisions are playing out in the classroom and also to get a better understanding of student needs.

What do you like best about working at WFU? 

I feel so lucky to have the opportunity to work at Wake Forest. The campus community feels so much like a family, people are so accessible and willing to meet to talk about new ideas. On a personal level, there is so much opportunity for me to involve my own family in events around campus.

What’s your favorite place on campus? 

Without question, the WakerSpace is my favorite place on campus and not just because Paul Whitener (Associate Director of Maker Education) is on my team. There is so much opportunity to learn and to create and build community in that space.

What is your favorite WFU tradition or activity? 

I really love Project Pumpkin, Hit the Bricks, Lovefeast, and the University-wide holiday party that happens in December. There are so many more I could mention, but I’ll stop there.

How would you describe your music taste? 

Music has always been a HUGE part of my life. My first concert was the Pointer Sisters back in 1984 and to date I’ve been to more than 800 concerts in my lifetime. I listen to all kinds of music though I do have some favorite genres. I am a huge fan of ska and punk music and enjoy indie/alternative rock as well. I love 80’s R&B and a bit of Americana like Johnny Cash and James Taylor.

What book, TV show, or podcast would you recommend to our readers?

I’ve recently read the books, “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” and “The Midnight Library,” and really enjoyed them both. As far as TV shows go, I have really enjoyed “Shrinking,” “The Big Door Prize,” “Severance,” and I am currently re-watching the entire “Stranger Things” series with my daughter. I have a strong affinity for true crime podcasts, almost to the exclusion of others. But I also love a good mystery and actually use one of my all-time favorite podcasts, “S-town,”  in the course that I teach.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? 

Gosh, I have been given so much good advice. I think the one that stands out the most to me at the moment is “help the people you know to grow and you will grow right alongside them.”

What is your hidden talent? 

I’m not sure how hidden this is, but I am an avid knitter and I can make just about anything. If you want to learn to knit, please join us as the Wakerspace for Commit2Knit at 4:30pm on Tuesdays during the academic year.

What brings you joy? 

I feel so lucky that so many things bring me joy. I love traveling. I love live music. I love the one-liners that come out of my kids mouths. I love laughter. I love adventure. I love learning. 

Do you or a colleague have an interesting hobby or achievement and would like to be featured in an upcoming 15 Questions? Email Elizabeth Dam-Regier (damregej@wfu.edu), Senior Director of Strategic Communications (F&A).

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Do you or a colleague have an interesting hobby or achievement and would like to be featured in an upcoming 15 Questions? Email Elizabeth Dam-Regier (damregej@wfu.edu), Senior Director of Strategic Communications (F&A).