On the Beat With Val Capone

I can't believe it, but I first met Val Capone eight years ago at the UIC Pavilion, when she was skating with the Windy City Rollers. Val was a big part of WCR as a skater and broadcaster for more than a decade.

Established in 2004, WCR is Chicago's first flat-track roller derby league. A founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association, the league is real sport, operating with rules and a scoring system. The only thing made up are the fun player names, like Val Capone. Val and her #89 jersey (for the legendary Mike Ditka) are as Chicago as can be.

In recent years, Val turned her attention to another of her passions, by becoming a broadcaster for local wrestling promotions. It was a smooth transition, which shouldn't surprise anyone. Val brings her dedication and focus to all she attempts and rises to any challenge.

Unfortunately, one of her challenges is her battle with Crohn's Disease. Despite surgeries, setbacks and other nasty effects, Val refuses to let it beat her. She makes the necessary concessions and adjustments, but it isn't stopping Val from living her life to the fullest and being an inspiration to all. The workout and practice schedule for WCR is grueling at times, yet Val worked hard, took the bumps and gave it her all.

Having not interviewed Val in several years, an update interview was long overdue. At the recent softball game pitting Pro Wrestling Tees against All Elite Wrestling to benefit PAWS, I finally had the opportunity to get that update interview.

We covered a little bit of everything, including her roller derby days, her position at the broadcast booth, Pro Wrestling Tees, dealing with Crohn's Disease and more. I couldn't take too much of her time, because she had to get ready for her catching duties. With Val seemingly constantly on the move, I was happy to steal a few moments with her.

Through her accomplishments, Val inspires all around her. She is a perfect example of following a passion and making it happen. She loved wrestling and found a way to become part of that world, without delivering body slams. She is living with Crohn's Disease, but not being defeated by it. She sets an example all can follow, even an old reporter like me.

I appreciate Val for her time and consideration with this interview. More importantly, I appreciate Val for being Val, larger-than-life, but completely down-to-earth. Our interview can be found at On the Beat With Val Capone.

Elizabeth Perez and Val Capone at C2E2 2017

C2E2 runs March 22-24 at McCormick Place. As I look forward to this awesome event, I look back at some of the fun I have had there over the years.

Of course, C2E2 is about celebrities, artists, creators, writers, comics and pop culture goodies of all sorts, but it is also about spending time with friends. Many friends have joined me "On the Beat" at C2E2 over the years. Sometimes, I just happen to run into friends, too!

Two of the coolest friends I have ever seen at C2E2 are Elizabeth Perez (aka Cuban Miss Elle) and Val Capone. I first met this pair at a Windy City Rollers roller derby game. 

I have written many times about my love for roller derby. It is an exciting, legitimate sport and Elizabeth and Val were two of my favorites.

While still great friends (roller derby creates strong bonds), their paths have gone into different directions. Elizabeth has gone on to teach skating, holding clinics and classes around Chicago and world-wide. She is also set to embark on a year long journey across the country with Lenny Gilmore. They will be living out of a van and teaching and spreading roller derby knowledge and love across the nation. You can follow their adventures at The Rollaways on YouTube. You can also see them on a future episode of HeroTV.

Val is as busy as Elizabeth, Val is still involved in roller derby, but in the announcing booth. She also does announcing for Freelance Wrestling in Chicago. When she has time, you can also see her at Wrigley Field, Disneyland or various WWE events.

I love these ladies and hope to see them again at C2E2. They won't be on the celebrity guest list (although they should be), but plenty of others will be "officially" appearing. Check C2E2.com for the celebrities and all other info.

Elizabeth Perez, Val Capone and me in Chicago, IL-April 2017.

Friendly Encounters: Ron Kittle, Carlton Fisk, Harold Baines and Val Capone

This is a weekly series about friends who have met celebrities.

Val Capone is one of my favorite Windy City Rollers.  I have had the pleasure of interviewing her twice.  (Check them out at On the Beat with Val Capone 2014 and On the Beat with Val Capone 2015).
She is one tough lady on the flat track.  She has also proven her toughness off the track.  Val battles Crohn's Disease.  This fight spawned the very creative "I hate Val Capone's guts" campaign.
I love Val, but I hate her guts.  If you hate her guts, too, or even if you just want to help her cause, please go to the Blood and Thunder website and order one of her "I hate Val Capone's guts" shirts to help with the medical bills from her fight with Crohn's Disease.
Val is a real sweetheart and she gives her all to her WCR fans.  If you have the ability, please help her cause.
I am not sure what Val is doing with Ron Kittle, Carlton Fisk and Harold Baines though.  I thought she was a Cubs fan.  Maybe they sought her out.  Maybe they are Val Capone fans.  I just hope they hate her guts, too.

Ron Kittle, Carlton Fisk, Harold Baines and Val Capone in Chicago, IL-September 2015.

On the Beat with Val Capone of the Windy City Rollers

The regular season is over for the Windy City Rollers.  Hell's Belles took home the WCR championship and the Ivy King Cup be beating the Fury a couple weeks ago.

This was another great night of roller derby action.  The first game pitted the Manic Attackers against the Double Crossers.  The Manic Attackers lead 139-115 at half-time.  The Double Crossers kept fighting and eventually nipped the Manic Attackers 220-218 for the win and third place.  Lucy Wreckardo was named Player of the Game.  Despite not being for the Ivy King Cup, this game was a fierce battle.

The championship game was not as close, but it was played with just as much intensity.  The Fury lead Hell’s Belles 89-80 at halftime.  Hell’s Belles came roaring back in the second half to win 245-151.  Phoebe Fi Fo Fum was named Player of the Game.

A more thorough recap of the night and the origin of the Ivy King Cup can be found on Tru School Sports at Hell's Belles Win the Ivy King Cup.  That article is already one of the top ten most viewed articles in TSS history.

Prior to the championship game, we talked to Val Capone, an old favorite of ours.  Capone talked about being an original at WCR, the significance of her number, Elvis and other fun topics.

Rolling with Val Capone

As the 2014 Windy City Rollers season begins, Val Capone will once again be wearing #89 as she skates for Hell's Belles.  This will be her 10th season with WCR!

We had the pleasure f watching Val last season and interviewing her after one of her bouts.  That interview can be found at On the Beat with Val Capone.

We talked about her career and her life off the track.  We even talked a bit of wrestling at some point.  Val is a real sweetheart (I hope she doesn't kill me for writing that).

The roller derby ladies are tough.  We cover women wrestling and playing football and these ladies of the WCR are just as tough as anyone.  They are also just as dedicated.  They do not get paid and they practice often.  It takes real commitment to be a part of WCR and I applaud them all.

I really do applaud them, as often as my schedule permits.  I love going down to the UIC and watching these teams compete.  I admit, I still get a bit confused over scoring, but that doesn't detract from the amusement level.

I plan on attending more bouts this year.  Hopefully, my derby partner Scott Beatty and I will get some interviews and bring you new, interesting nuggets from the life on and off the track.

Until then, go to WindyCityRollers.com to learn more about Val and the rest of the league.

Val Capone and me in Chicago IL-Spring 2013.

On the Beat with Val Capone of the Windy City Rollers

The first season for the Windy City Rollers, Chicago's premiere all-female flat track derby league, was in 2005.  Val Capone is an original and she is still one of the stars of Hell's Belles.
Val is definitely a Chicago girl.  You need to look no further than her name and her number 89 (for Coach Mike Ditka).  As a youngster growing up in the Wrigleyville neighborhood, Val discovered roller derby on television.  In her twenties, she joined the Windy City Rollers and has been rolling ever since.
Ace interviewer Scott Beatty interviewed Val after a recent night at WCR.  Val talked about her name, her dedication to roller derby, comparisons to wrestling and more.
We are so impressed with these women.  Roller derby is like a full-time job, without the pay.  These women spend countless hours every week practicing, answering emails, talking business, working out and playing.  It is a rough schedule, which demands a passion for the sport.  There is no other way.  As you will see in Val's interview (and the others to follow), Val's commitment to roller derby is obvious.
We really appreciate Val's time and the folks at WCR for making this coverage possible.  We encourage everyone to check them out online and then in person.  After one night there, I am already looking forward to going back.
After you watch our interview, please go to WindyCityRollers.com, the Windy City Rollers Facebook page and follow WCR on twitter to learn more and get updates.  You can also find Val Capone on Facebook.