Name: Kevin Upton ( K. Devil )
League Affiliation:Co-founder/ Coach: Greenville Derby Dames Number of years involved in derby: 4 years Why did you want to coach roller derby? I met a roller girl (Annathrax) who is now my wife. She played for a league that was in need of a coach when their coach decided to take a break. I stepped in and applied my sport playing experience to their training and fell in love with Roller Derby. What was the hardest thing about coaching the team? Learning how to teach and coach so many different personalities. Gaining a new players trust. Most importantly is getting everyone to buy into the discipline and training. What was the most fun thing about coaching the team? Watching the hard work put to test. Seeing the confidence on the face of all my skaters. Watching them execute and play the game like there is no tomorrow. Seeing the smiles from a hard fought victory is the best feeling and the most fun part of coaching. What qualities make a skater great? Her work ethic for starters. The greatest skaters are always challenging themselves. Good attitude is very, very important. Being able to take constructive criticism is a key part to becoming a great skater. Which skater do you most admire? I admire my wife Annathrax the most. Without her none of this would be possible. I also admire all the skaters Past, Present, and Future that have and will help the Greenville Derby Dames to continue to reach their goals and be successful. Which coach or manager do you most admire, from any sport? I admire any coach who believes in his/her team and continues to push them to compete and win. What are your favorite non-derby sports to play or to watch? Outside of derby im a football fanatic. Do you have any advice for skaters just starting out? Make an effort to get to know your teammates, Do not judge yourself based on the ability of others. Your skills will come. If you need to throw up, do it. Then get back on the track and finish your laps. Talk less, skate more and Listen to your coach. He/she is coach for a reason. Do you have any advice for those interested in coaching derby? Here are some keys I go by that have helped me along my way. Its from an article i read posted by TXRD.
5 Comments
Trauma
1/23/2012 10:32:27 am
This is an amazing interview article!!! K-Devil is a great coach and I'm proud to say he taught me the fundamentals of how to get out there and let roller derby own my heart!
Reply
rollerazzi
1/23/2012 10:44:58 am
You not only inspire your skaters, but you inspire me monthly if not weekly. Thanks for doing what you do and for believing in my abilities especially when I'm lacking the confidence to believe in myself.
Reply
poca-hotness
1/23/2012 12:48:03 pm
I love k-devil everytime I think I can't go on anymore he is there skating behind me and pushing me to the limits. He is an amaing couch and motivater
Reply
Triscuit CrackHer
1/24/2012 01:06:42 am
K-Devil is an awesome coach. When I didn't think my legs could skate anymore he was right there telling I could and guess what I did. also when I didn't pass my 25 laps for assessments the first time, he encouraged me to keep working and not give up and that I would pass. That next practice I tried again and I passed! Thanks for everything you have taught me and will continue to teach me.
Reply
KaLashnikitty
1/26/2012 06:06:04 am
Kevin you are an inspiration. I know I will make it this time because of you and your confidence in me. You never give up on anyone who really wants it.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorGreenville Derby Dames Archives
July 2013
Categories
All
|