Holly (Dodge) Ahlbrecht is on the flat track with her roller derby ‘sisters’
With their bout faces on – that resolved and focused look of intensity an athlete has when about to do battle – coupled with personalized stage paint facial accents – they are known by names like:
* Mean Latifah
* Reignbow Sparkles
* Strawberry StrikeHer
* Iron Ova
* Jaded by Design
* Zicke Zacke Zick Zacke
* Nurse Nutcase
* Nauty Nelly
and
* Brass Chuckles.
Together, they, plus a few other women – are the MAD Girls – the Mankato Area Derby Girls; a flat track roller derby team based in Mankato.
That last one – Brass Chuckles – honed her many talents beginning with her Mountain Lake roots. Perhaps, even this new sports interest.
Holly (Dodge) Ahlbrecht (who was recently married in Watertown, South Dakota to another Mountain Lake native, Rudy Ahlbrecht) is that MAD Girl Brass Chuckles.
“That name – Brass Chuckles – was one of my first ideas,” shares Hollly. “I came up with a short list, names like Holly GoFightly, but after passing ‘Fresh Meat,’ I knew Brass Chuckles was the best namesake. It is a play on words on brass knuckles – pieces of metal shaped to fit around the knuckles and used as a weapon in a fight. The ‘Brass’ part denotes a toughness persona – the brassiness – needed during a bout. However, during practices I would always be the one making jokes and laughing – no matter how hard or strenuous a drill was. And, I still try to provide comedic relief during our practices. That part is the ‘Chuckles.’ Hence – Brass Chuckles.”
As Holly was nearing her 30th birthday last spring 2014, she really wanted to do something to get way out of her comfort zone and challenge herself. “Initially,” Holly admits, “the thought of roller derby seemed too challenging. Besides the physical aspect, roller derby is also very mentally challenging.”
Holly’s months as ‘Fresh Meat’
“I started ‘Fresh Meat’ in May 2014,” Holly states in reflection. “‘Fresh Meat’ is a three-month-long roller derby training session. You don’t need any experience at all to join – just a will to learn and work . . . hard. I had never previously roller-skated and I wasn’t very athletic.
“Initially, I was very intimidated, but a few months earlier I had met some of the derby girls at a bout in Duluth. One of my good friends – and prior co-workers (Mean Latifah) – played on the team and introduced me to the rest of the derby girls – as ‘Holly, who’s going to join Fresh Meat in May!’ All the girls squealed and high-fived me. I felt like I had to show up. People were counting on me.”
On Holly’s first day of “Fresh Meat,” she struggled just to stand up straight – without falling backwards. “I remember my feet were literally on fire, and my ankles felt weak and bruised,” she reminisces about her initial introduction to the sport. “My thighs shook with exhaustion – and later turned to Jello. I couldn’t even come to a successful stop; I would just head to the ‘safety’ of the nearest wall and grab it for a quick stop. I was sweating all over the track.”
But, determined, she kept at it – and slowly her skills improved. Holly found that she could stop, recover, fall safely and skate backwards. Her muscles got stronger and her balance increased bit-by-bit.
“I do remember a time,” Holly admits, “about a month-and-half after beginning, thinking I had to quit. My knees and muscles were so sore that I could hardly walk up any flight of stairs. My knees would pop and crackle every time I bent them. I even sat out a few practices, convinced I couldn’t play this demanding sport.
“After a few days dealing with the weakness and pain, however, I had a revelation. Maybe my knees hurt because the muscles around them weren’t strong enough. I stopped my ‘pity party’ in its tracks – and headed to the gym. I started working on strengthening the leg muscles that support my knees. It got better, and eventually the pain melted away.”
By then, it was time for Holly to try-out for the team. She reveals the grilling test procedure: “After three incredibly challenging and rewarding months of training and conditioning, we (all of us who were ‘Fresh Meat’) were allowed to test our skills to try to make the team. The test-out is approximately two hours long and requires one to perform satisfactory in many different areas. I had to demonstrate multiple stops, recoveries, falls, whips, pushes, hits, taking hits, backwards skating, and had to skate 27 laps in 5 minutes. In addition, you also have to pass a written test that checks your knowledge of game rules and regulations.
“Luckily – I passed the test and was officially a MAD Girl!”
About Holly
While growing up in Mountain Lake, the daughter of D. David Dodge and the late Wendy Dodge, Holly stayed busy with a wide menu of extra-curricular activities while attending Mountain Lake Public High School (MLHS), including one-act plays and theater productions with the drama department, speech, choir and cross-country, along with 4-H.
After graduating from MLHS in 2003, Holly attended Minnesota State University-Mankato, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a graphic design concentration and an English minor.
She has two children, a daughter, Eleanor, 7-years-old and a 5-year-old son, Sullivan. Holly, Rudy, Eleanor and Sullivan currently reside in the historic Lincoln Park neighborhood of Mankato. Holly does marketing and graphic design for the accounts of Rooms and Rest, Fitness for $10, Interior Home Furnishing and Razor Cutz, all of Mankato.
About flat-track derby
Current roller derby is different than roller derby from the ’70s. It has become very athletic, but still maintains some of its grassroots charm. Explains Holly, “Our league plays on a flat track and we follow regulations from Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Each skater is required to pass the WFTDA minimum skills test and we are required to have WFTDA skater insurance in addition to our primary insurance.
There are five players on each team – a jammer (who is the point scorer), three blockers (who play defense) and a pivot (who plays defense, but is literally the “leader of the pack,” calling the shots).
Holly primarily is a blocker, but at practice, team members take a turn playing all positions.
The object of the game is to score the most points by lapping opposing team members on the track. A roller derby game is called a bout. Each bout consists of multiple jams. A jam is a 2-minute period in which teams attempt to score points by getting their jammer to break through the pack – all the while keeping the opposing team’s jammer from breaking through.
Participants wear a lot of safety gear. Required safety gear includes a helmet, mouth guard, elbow pads, wrist guards and knee pads. And – of course – falls and hits are always inevitable.
Roller derby involves a lot of strategy. Participants play defense and offense at the same time. “A pretty accurate and popular expression describing roller derby goes like this,” notes Holly. “‘Roller Derby is like playing chess . . . while bricks are thrown at you!'”
Mad about the MAD Girls
The MAD Girls are currently in their third bouting season as members of the WFTDA. They are a non-profit 501C3, run by donations. Participating skaters are not paid to participate. Members pay monthly dues to use practice spaces, pay operational costs and for their bouting venue at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato.
This year’s win/loss record-to-date has the MAD Girls standing at 3-1; their wins coming both home and away over the Dames of Anarchy from Mason City, Iowa and at home over the Roller Underground from Virginia, while their lone loss was at the hands of MedCity Mafia in Rochester.
Remaining on their season schedule are a home fund-raiser this Saturday, July 18 at All-Seasons Arena in Mankato and their last home bout on Saturday, August 29 at the Verizon Wireless Center in Mankato, the team hosting the South Bound Roller Girls of Austin. They close out their season with a Saturday, September 26 bout against the Iron Range Maidens in Grand Rapids.
“Our upcoming bout on July 18 is an intra-squad fund-raiser with MAD Black going against MAD Blue (the theme is ‘Malice in Wonderland’) that will be controlled by our fans,” Holly lays out. “Fans can pay to effect game play – and in that way, control the bout’s outcome. Some of the twists and turns include – adding multiple jammers, swapping refs with skaters, playing an entire jam backwards and many other surprises! This bout will help us raise funds for our next bout season.” Doors open at 5 p.m., with the first whistle at 6 p.m. Tickets are available from any derby girl and at the door. Prices are $8 for trackside tickets (those 18-years-old and older), $5 for general admission adults and $3 for kids.
“Additionally, our team is very involved with community support and involvement. A large part of our mission is to give back to the community and support local charities – as best women on skates and wearing fishnets can (examples of which include the Mankato Moondogs, 2015 Walk MS, Minnesota Air Spectacular in Mankato, support of the Chelsey Skate Park, etc). We have required community volunteer hours and donate our hours to worthy causes,” emphasizes Holly. “We also donate a portion of all of the group’s numerous fund-raiser project proceeds to area charities. I have always valued community involvement, and this is just one more way to stay connected.”
As the league continues to grow, the MAD Girls are hoping to add a men’s team – as well as a junior league.
Connect with the MAD Girls at their website – http://www.mankatoareaderbygirls.com/ – or on their Facebook page.
Team camaraderie includes a hit, a laugh, a hand
One thing that really impresses Holly is the team camaraderie. “The team is made up of so many different women . . . mothers, students and professionals; young and old. The bonds and trust that are formed in this team sport are incredible. It is literally a family. We can hit one another and laugh and offer a hand. There is always constant help, accountability, and support,” she declares emphatically.
And this camaraderie with teammates extends into friendships off the track as well. As Holly describes the relationships, “It is such a blessing to have relationships with such strong and talented people. And these relationships are strong! In addition to practicing and playing, we also serve on a minimum of two committees that help keep our league functioning. I serve on the volunteer, promotion, and safety committee. So I typically talk to a teammate at least once a day. We work around the clock together to make sure we stay successful.”
As a MAD Girl, each is able to “own her own personality.” Many players paint their faces or wear crazy clothes. Holly’s schtick is comprised of brass and gold accessories. “When I passed ‘Fresh Meat,” shares Holly, “my gift to myself was my gold helmet.”
With “Brass Chuckles” proudly painted in big, bold, black block letters on each side.






