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Rose City Wheels of Justice won the 2024 WFTDA Championships with Bonnie Thunders on the team.
 
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| caption = Bonnie Thunders (in red) jams against Rat City
| caption = Bonnie Thunders (in red) jams against Rat City
| birth_name = Nicole Williams
| birth_name = Nicole Williams
| derby_name = Bonnie Thunders
| nickname = Bonnie Thunders
| nickname =
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| residence = [[New York City]]
| residence = [[Portland, Oregon|Portland, OR]]
| birth_date = 1983<!-- {{birth date and age|1983|09|06}} -->
| birth_date = 1983<!-- {{birth date and age|1983|09|06}} -->
| birth_place = Youngstown, Ohio
| birth_place = [[Youngstown, Ohio|Youngstown, OH]]
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| height = <!-- {{convert|}} (yyyy) -->
| height = <!-- {{convert|}} (yyyy) -->
| weight = <!-- {{convert|}} (yyyy) -->
| weight = <!-- {{convert|}} (yyyy) -->
| website = [http://www.bonniethunders.com]
| website = <!-- [http://www.bonniethunders.com] -->
| country = United States
| country = United States
| sport = [[Roller derby]]
| sport = [[Roller derby]]
| event =
| event =
| collegeteam =
| collegeteam =
| club = [[Gotham Girls Roller Derby]]
| club = '''[[WFTDA]]'''<br>[[Gotham Girls Roller Derby]] (2006-16)<br>[[Rose City Rollers]] (2017-present)
| team = Bronx Gridlock and GGRD All Stars
| team = GGRD All Stars (2006-16)<br>Wheels of Justice (2017-present)
| Affiliation = [http://www.WFTDA.com WFTDA]
| coach =
| coach =
| retired =
| retired =
| coaching =
| coaching =
| worlds = [[Roller Derby World Cup|World Cup]] Winner: 2011
| worlds = [[Roller Derby World Cup|World Cup]] winner: [[2011 Roller Derby World Cup|2011]], [[2014 Roller Derby World Cup|2014]], [[2018 Roller Derby World Cup|2018]]
| regionals = [[WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament|WFTDA Easterns]] Winner: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
| regionals = [[WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament|WFTDA East Region]] Playoffs winner: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012<br>[[Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1| WFTDA Division 1]] Playoffs winner: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
| nationals = [[WFTDA Championships]] Winner 2008, 2011, 2012
| nationals = [[WFTDA Championships]] winner 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2024
| olympics =
| olympics =
| paralympics =
| paralympics =
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}}
}}


'''Nicole Williams''' (born 1983), known as '''Bonnie Thunders''', is a [[roller derby]] skater. Widely considered to be the greatest player of modern roller derby,<ref name="greatest">{{cite web|title=A Roller Derby World Cup Roster Of Red, White And Bruise|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/athletes-life/slideshow/11969593/4/nicole-williams|website=espnW|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=4 December 2016}}</ref> Bonnie Thunders has been referred to by multiple writers as "the [[LeBron James]] of roller derby".<ref name="casey">{{cite web|last1=Casey|first1=Liam|title=Roller derby's race for respect {{!}} Toronto Star|url=https://www.thestar.com/sports/2011/12/01/roller_derbys_race_for_respect.html|website=thestar.com|publisher=Toronto Star|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=1 December 2011}}</ref><ref name="frye lebron">{{cite web|last1=Frye|first1=Andy|title=Meet ... the LeBron James of roller derby?|url=http://www.espn.com/blog/playbook/fandom/post/_/id/21305/meet-the-lebron-james-of-roller-derby|website=ESPN.com|publisher=ESPN|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=1 May 2013}}</ref><ref name="gerbasi beast">{{cite web|last1=Gerbasi|first1=Thomas|title=Is Gotham Girl All-Star Bonnie Thunders the LeBron James of Roller Derby?|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/06/23/is-gotham-girl-all-star-bonnie-thunders-the-lebron-james-of-roller-derby.html|website=The Daily Beast|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=23 June 2012}}</ref>
'''Nicole Williams''' (born 1983), known as '''Bonnie Thunders''', is a [[roller derby]] skater.


==Early life==
Williams grew up in [[Rome, New York]], where she attended the Rome Free Academy,<ref name="rome">"[http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20081120-141025 Star player for NYC roller derby team has connections to Rome]", ''[[Rome Sentinel]]''</ref> before studying conservation biology with the [[State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry]], linked to [[Syracuse University]]. She was a leading member of the college's [[synchronized skating]] squad,<ref>Kristiana Glavin, "[http://students.syr.edu/skateteam/doarticle.pdf Synchronized skaters practice for perfection]", 10 February 2004</ref> the Syracuse Orange Experience,she also spent time playing soccer competitively.<ref name="gotham">Thomas Gerbasi, "[http://www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com/news/879/skater-profile-bonnie-thunders-of-the-bronx-gridlock Skater Profile: Bonnie Thunders of the Bronx Gridlock]", Gotham Girls Roller Derby, 29 June 2010</ref>
Williams grew up in [[Rome, New York]], where she was a four-year varsity soccer player at [[Rome Free Academy]],<ref name="rome">{{cite web|title=Star player for NYC roller derby team has connections to Rome|url=http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20081120-141025|publisher=Rome Sentinel|accessdate=4 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051513/http://www.romesentinel.com/news?newsid=20081120-141025|archivedate=25 April 2012|date=20 November 2008}}</ref> before studying conservation biology with the [[State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry]], linked to [[Syracuse University]]. She was a leading member of the college's [[synchronized skating]] squad,<ref name="glavin">{{cite web|last1=Glavin|first1=Kristina|title=Synchronized skaters practice for perfection|url=http://students.syr.edu/skateteam/doarticle.pdf|publisher=Syracuse|accessdate=4 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20040921235839/http://students.syr.edu/skateteam/doarticle.pdf|archivedate=21 September 2004|date=10 February 2004}}</ref> the Syracuse Orange Experience, and also spent time playing soccer competitively.<ref name="gotham">{{cite web|title=Skater Profile: Bonnie Thunders of the Bronx Gridlock {{!}} Gotham Girls Roller Derby|url=http://www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com/news/879/skater-profile-bonnie-thunders-of-the-bronx-gridlock|publisher=Gotham Girls Roller Derby|accessdate=4 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100729171127/http://www.gothamgirlsrollerderby.com/news/879/skater-profile-bonnie-thunders-of-the-bronx-gridlock|archivedate=29 July 2010|date=29 June 2010}}</ref><ref name="rome" />


==Roller derby==
After moving to New York City Williams found roller derby and traded in her ice skates for roller skates. In 2006, Williams successfully tried out for the [[Gotham Girls Roller Derby]], and was placed on their Bronx Gridlock team.<ref>Liz Scarff, "[http://www.lizscarff.co.uk/multimedia-journalism/marie-claire-hot-wheels/ Roller girls: the fast and the furious]", ''[[Marie Claire]]'', May 2007</ref> Taking the name "Bonnie Thunders", in her first season, she was named the league's Rookie of the Year.<ref name="rome" /> She soon became part of Gotham's travel team (All Stars), and skated for them when they won the 2008 [[WFTDA Championships]], at which she won the [[Most Valuable Player]] award.<ref name="wftda">"[http://wftda.com/featured-skater/bonnie-thunders August 2010 Featured Skater: Bonnie Thunders]", ''[[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]]''</ref> Although she worked for several years at a conservation charity,<ref>Abby Luby, "[http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/03/15/2009-03-15_bronx_gridlock_team_skates_in_citywide_w.html Bronx Gridlock team skates in citywide women's derby league]", ''[[New York Daily News]]'', 14 March 2009</ref> in 2010 she set up the Five Stride Skate Shop, a skater owned and operated roller skate shop in Brooklyn, NY.<ref name="wftda" />
After moving to New York City, Williams found roller derby and traded in her ice skates for roller skates. In 2006, Williams successfully tried out for the [[Gotham Girls Roller Derby]], and was placed on their Bronx Gridlock team.<ref name="scarff">{{cite web|title=Roller Girls: The Fact and the Furious|last1=Scarff|first1=Liz|url=http://www.lizscarff.co.uk/marie-claire-hot-wheels/|website=www.lizscarff.co.uk|publisher=Marie Claire|accessdate=4 December 2016|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425051537/http://www.lizscarff.co.uk/marie-claire-hot-wheels/|archivedate=25 April 2012|date=May 2007}}</ref> Taking the name "Bonnie Thunders", in her first season, she was named the league's Rookie of the Year.<ref name="rome" /> She soon became part of Gotham's travel team (All Stars), and skated for them when they won the 2008 [[WFTDA Championships]], at which she won the [[Most Valuable Player]] award.<ref name="wftda">{{cite web|title=August 2010 Featured Skater:Bonnie Thunders - Featured Skaterof the Month - Women's Flat Track Derby Association|url=https://wftda.org/featured-skater/bonnie-thunders|website=wftda.org|publisher=WFTDA|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=1 August 2010}}</ref> Although she worked for several years at a conservation charity,<ref>Abby Luby, "[http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2009/03/15/2009-03-15_bronx_gridlock_team_skates_in_citywide_w.html Bronx Gridlock team skates in citywide women's derby league]", ''[[New York Daily News]]'', 14 March 2009</ref> in 2010 she opened Five Stride Skate Shop, a roller skate shop in Brooklyn, NY.<ref name="wftda" />


By 2009, Thunders was the captain of Gotham's travel team, and was also a member of the [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]]'s Tournaments Committee.<ref name="wftda" /> She currently holds the position of WFTDA Competition Manager. She was selected for [[Team USA (roller derby)|Team USA]] at the 2011 [[Roller Derby World Cup]].<ref>Justice Feelgood Marshall, "[http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2011/08/team_usa_announces_28_skater_roster Team USA Announces 28-Skater Roster]", ''[[Derby News Network]]'', 7 August 2011</ref>
By 2009, Bonnie Thunders was the captain of the Gotham Girls All Stars, and was also a member of the [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association]]'s Tournaments Committee.<ref name="wftda" /> She currently{{when|date=December 2016}} holds the position of WFTDA Competition Manager. In 2012, Bonnie elected to retire from the Bronx Gridlock team in order to focus on playing with the All Stars.


Thunders won Gotham's Best Jammer award jointly in 2007 and in her own right in 2008, 2009,<ref name="gotham" /> 2010 and 2011. She also won the ''[[Derby News Network]]'' readers' Most Valuable Jammer award in 2010<ref>"[http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2010/12/dnn_best_2010_reader_poll_results?page=0,2 DNN Best of 2010 Reader Poll: Results]", ''[[Derby News Network]]'', 31 December 2010</ref> and again in 2011.<ref>"[http://www.derbynewsnetwork.com/2011/12/dnn_best_2011_poll_results?page=0,2 DNN Best of 2011 Poll: Results]", ''[[Derby News Network]]'', 26 December 2011</ref> She is [[double jointed]], which she believes helps her maneuver while jamming.<ref name="wftda" />
Thunders won Gotham's Best Jammer award jointly in 2007 and in her own right in 2008, 2009,<ref name="gotham" /> 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. She also won the ''[[Derby News Network]]'' readers' Most Valuable Jammer award in 2010<ref>"[http://www.derbynews.net/2010/12/dnn_best_2010_reader_poll_results?page=0,2 DNN Best of 2010 Reader Poll: Results]", ''[[Derby News Network]]'', 31 December 2010</ref> and again in 2011.<ref>"[http://www.derbynews.net/2011/12/dnn_best_2011_poll_results?page=0,2 DNN Best of 2011 Poll: Results]", ''[[Derby News Network]]'', 26 December 2011</ref> She is [[double jointed]], which she believes helps her maneuver while jamming.<ref name="wftda" />


At the end of 2016, Thunders moved to [[Portland, Oregon]], and in January 2017 it was announced that she was officially joining the [[Rose City Rollers]] all-star team, the Wheels of Justice.<ref name="rose">{{cite web|last1=Frye|first1=Andy|title=Roller derby legend Bonnie Thunders, aka Nicole Williams, leaves Gotham for Rose City|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/18495872/roller-derby-legend-bonnie-thunders-aka-nicole-williams-leaves-gotham-rose-city |website=espn.com |publisher=[[ESPN]] |accessdate=18 January 2017|date=18 January 2017}}</ref>
⚫
==Skating experience==


==International play==
Bonnie Thunders has represented the United States in international play, having been selected for the [[USA Roller Derby|Team USA]] roster for the [[Roller Derby World Cup]] in [[2011 Roller Derby World Cup|2011]],<ref>Justice Feelgood Marshall, "[http://www.derbynews.net/2011/08/team_usa_announces_28_skater_roster Team USA Announces 28-Skater Roster]", ''[[Derby News Network]]'', 7 August 2011</ref> [[2014 Roller Derby World Cup|2014]]<ref name="2014 roster">{{cite web|last=Talionis|first=Lex|title=2013-14 Team USA Roster Revealed|url=http://www.derbynews.net/2013/10/2013_14_team_usa_roster_revealed|publisher=Derby News Network|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=15 October 2013}}</ref> and [[2018 Roller Derby World Cup|2018]].<ref name="rose" />

<!--SAVE IN CASE IS USEFUL
⚫
==Skating experience==
Years skating: 14 years ice skating, 8 years roller skating
Years skating: 14 years ice skating, 8 years roller skating
Years playing derby: 8
Years playing derby: 8
-->


==Awards==
==Awards==
{{BLP sources section|date=November 2016}}
* Gotham Girls Rookie of the Year 2007<ref name="rome" />
* Gotham Girls Best Jammer 2008, 2009,<ref name="gotham" /> 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
⚫
* Bronx Gridlock MVP 2008, 2010
* Gotham Girls All Stars MVP 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
* Gotham Girls League MVP 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
* [[WFTDA Eastern Regional Tournament|WFTDA East Region]] Playoff MVP 2008
* [[WFTDA Championships]] MVP 2008<ref name="wftda" />
* [[Women's Flat Track Derby Association Division 1| WFTDA Division 1]] Playoff (Asheville) MVP 2013


In December 2016 at Gotham's end-of-year awards night, Bonnie Thunders' jersey was [[retired number|retired]] by the league.<ref name="bonnie retired">{{cite web|last1=Powell|first1=Dylan|title=Bonnie Thunders, OMG WTF, Vicious Van Go Go and Flo It All Retire From Gotham|url=https://thederbyapex.com/bonnie-thunders-omg-wtf-vicious-van-go-go-and-flo-it-all-retired-from-gotham-5e7ef04700c7#.chsm323ek|website=The Apex|publisher=The Derby Apex|accessdate=4 December 2016|date=4 December 2016}}</ref>
* GGRD Rookie of the year 2007
* GGRD Best Jammer 2008
⚫
* Bronx Gridlock MVP 2008
* GGRD Best Jammer 2009
* GGRD All Stars MVP 2009
* Bronx Gridlock MVP 2010
* GGRD Best Jammer 2010
* GGRD All Stars MVP 2010
* GGRD League MVP 2010
* GGRD Best Jammer 2011
* GGRD All Stars MVP 2011
* GGRD League MVP 2011


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
<references />


{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Thunders, Bonnie
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Williams, Nicole
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Roller derby skater
| DATE OF BIRTH = Sept 06, 1983
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Youngstown, Ohio
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thunders, Bonnie}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Thunders, Bonnie}}
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:1983 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Rome, New York]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Rome, New York]]
[[Category:Roller derby skaters]]
[[Category:Roller derby skaters]]
[[Category:State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry alumni]]
[[Category:State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry alumni]]

Latest revision as of 04:00, 4 November 2024

Bonnie Thunders
Bonnie Thunders (in red) jams against Rat City
Personal information
Birth nameNicole Williams
NicknameBonnie Thunders
NationalityAmerican
Born1983
Youngstown, OH
Sport
CountryUnited States
SportRoller derby
ClubWFTDA
Gotham Girls Roller Derby (2006-16)
Rose City Rollers (2017-present)
TeamGGRD All Stars (2006-16)
Wheels of Justice (2017-present)
Achievements and titles
World finalsWorld Cup winner: 2011, 2014, 2018
Regional finalsWFTDA East Region Playoffs winner: 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012
WFTDA Division 1 Playoffs winner: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
National finalsWFTDA Championships winner 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2018, 2019, 2024

Nicole Williams (born 1983), known as Bonnie Thunders, is a roller derby skater. Widely considered to be the greatest player of modern roller derby,[1] Bonnie Thunders has been referred to by multiple writers as "the LeBron James of roller derby".[2][3][4]

Early life

[edit]

Williams grew up in Rome, New York, where she was a four-year varsity soccer player at Rome Free Academy,[5] before studying conservation biology with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, linked to Syracuse University. She was a leading member of the college's synchronized skating squad,[6] the Syracuse Orange Experience, and also spent time playing soccer competitively.[7][5]

Roller derby

[edit]

After moving to New York City, Williams found roller derby and traded in her ice skates for roller skates. In 2006, Williams successfully tried out for the Gotham Girls Roller Derby, and was placed on their Bronx Gridlock team.[8] Taking the name "Bonnie Thunders", in her first season, she was named the league's Rookie of the Year.[5] She soon became part of Gotham's travel team (All Stars), and skated for them when they won the 2008 WFTDA Championships, at which she won the Most Valuable Player award.[9] Although she worked for several years at a conservation charity,[10] in 2010 she opened Five Stride Skate Shop, a roller skate shop in Brooklyn, NY.[9]

By 2009, Bonnie Thunders was the captain of the Gotham Girls All Stars, and was also a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association's Tournaments Committee.[9] She currently[when?] holds the position of WFTDA Competition Manager. In 2012, Bonnie elected to retire from the Bronx Gridlock team in order to focus on playing with the All Stars.

Thunders won Gotham's Best Jammer award jointly in 2007 and in her own right in 2008, 2009,[7] 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. She also won the Derby News Network readers' Most Valuable Jammer award in 2010[11] and again in 2011.[12] She is double jointed, which she believes helps her maneuver while jamming.[9]

At the end of 2016, Thunders moved to Portland, Oregon, and in January 2017 it was announced that she was officially joining the Rose City Rollers all-star team, the Wheels of Justice.[13]

International play

[edit]

Bonnie Thunders has represented the United States in international play, having been selected for the Team USA roster for the Roller Derby World Cup in 2011,[14] 2014[15] and 2018.[13]


Awards

[edit]
  • Gotham Girls Rookie of the Year 2007[5]
  • Gotham Girls Best Jammer 2008, 2009,[7] 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Bronx Gridlock MVP 2008, 2010
  • Gotham Girls All Stars MVP 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • Gotham Girls League MVP 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • WFTDA East Region Playoff MVP 2008
  • WFTDA Championships MVP 2008[9]
  • WFTDA Division 1 Playoff (Asheville) MVP 2013

In December 2016 at Gotham's end-of-year awards night, Bonnie Thunders' jersey was retired by the league.[16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "A Roller Derby World Cup Roster Of Red, White And Bruise". espnW. ESPN. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  2. ^ Casey, Liam (1 December 2011). "Roller derby's race for respect | Toronto Star". thestar.com. Toronto Star. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  3. ^ Frye, Andy (1 May 2013). "Meet ... the LeBron James of roller derby?". ESPN.com. ESPN. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  4. ^ Gerbasi, Thomas (23 June 2012). "Is Gotham Girl All-Star Bonnie Thunders the LeBron James of Roller Derby?". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d "Star player for NYC roller derby team has connections to Rome". Rome Sentinel. 20 November 2008. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  6. ^ Glavin, Kristina (10 February 2004). "Synchronized skaters practice for perfection" (PDF). Syracuse. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2004. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Skater Profile: Bonnie Thunders of the Bronx Gridlock | Gotham Girls Roller Derby". Gotham Girls Roller Derby. 29 June 2010. Archived from the original on 29 July 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  8. ^ Scarff, Liz (May 2007). "Roller Girls: The Fact and the Furious". www.lizscarff.co.uk. Marie Claire. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  9. ^ a b c d e "August 2010 Featured Skater:Bonnie Thunders - Featured Skaterof the Month - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. 1 August 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  10. ^ Abby Luby, "Bronx Gridlock team skates in citywide women's derby league", New York Daily News, 14 March 2009
  11. ^ "DNN Best of 2010 Reader Poll: Results", Derby News Network, 31 December 2010
  12. ^ "DNN Best of 2011 Poll: Results", Derby News Network, 26 December 2011
  13. ^ a b Frye, Andy (18 January 2017). "Roller derby legend Bonnie Thunders, aka Nicole Williams, leaves Gotham for Rose City". espn.com. ESPN. Retrieved 18 January 2017.
  14. ^ Justice Feelgood Marshall, "Team USA Announces 28-Skater Roster", Derby News Network, 7 August 2011
  15. ^ Talionis, Lex (15 October 2013). "2013-14 Team USA Roster Revealed". Derby News Network. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
  16. ^ Powell, Dylan (4 December 2016). "Bonnie Thunders, OMG WTF, Vicious Van Go Go and Flo It All Retire From Gotham". The Apex. The Derby Apex. Retrieved 4 December 2016.
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