Austinist Editor-in-Chief Involved in Local Ring, Blows Whistle

Other towns have whistleblowers like Karen Silkwood and Linda Tripp, embroiled in drama and intrigue. Our own Austinist editor-in-chief Allen Y Chen is rolling up to whistleblower status this weekend, but the drama and intrigue surrounding Chen’s activities will be more bruises and brawling than espionage and politics as he prepares to blow the start whistle for the Texas Rollergirls this Sunday.

Chen will join the short lineage of local personalities and celebrities who have stepped up to the whistle. Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell’s communications director, Matt Curtis, endorsed Chen’s addition to the group. “Allen has the right build for speed on the track, I think he'd be a Jammer if he rolled,” Curtis said. “I've been trying to think what Allen's Derby-name would be, and all I can come up with is Austi-cutioner or Allen Chenocide.”

He added that Chen’s stamina is a perfect fit for the ring. “Allen Chen is the only person I know who looks at his watch at 10 p.m. and announces he has to go to a meeting."

A tongue-in-cheek Leffingwell cast his vote for the warring women warriors. "Allen is trying to one-up me with the Rollergirls," said Leffingwell, who acted as Whistle Blower at the first Derby of the year. "But the girls will overshadow Allen. The Texecutioners versus Baltimore bout is going to be a great one.”

Many credit the Texas Rollergirls as the spark that started the flat track movement worldwide, which now boasts more than 400 leagues. League all-stars The Texecutioners recently returned from the first international derby in London, and will certainly crush the Charm City Roller Girls on Sunday night.

Editor's note: This piece was authored by guest writer and former Austinist Food section editor Sam Armstrong.