Metro area | Austin, Texas |
---|---|
Country | United States |
Founded | 2003 |
Teams | Texecutioners (A team) Texas Chainsaws (B team) Hell Marys Honky Tonk Heartbreakers Hotrod Honeys Hustlers |
Track type(s) | Flat |
Venue | The Blood Shed |
Affiliations | WFTDA |
Org. type | LLC |
Website | http://www.texasrollergirls.org/ |
Texas Rollergirls is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Austin, Texas. Founded in early 2003 and widely credited as the league that started the modern roller derby movement, [1] the Texas Rollergirls were the first flat-track league in the nation to play a version of roller derby using new standardized rules and a track design based on the dimensions of the old banked tracks. [2] As flat-track derby caught on in other American cities, the Texas Rollergirls' rulebook and track design eventually evolved into the specifications that were adopted and ratified upon formation of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in 2005, [3] of which Texas is a founding member. [4]
The league consists of four home teams that play within the league and sometimes compete with member teams from other WFTDA leagues. The Texas Rollergirls all-star travel team, the Texecutioners, represents the league in WFTDA competitions and tournaments with other leagues. The Texas Rollergirls were the first winners of the WFTDA Championships in 2006. [5]
The founding skaters of the Texas Rollergirls were originally affiliated with an Austin, Texas, roller derby organization known as Bad Girl Good Woman Productions (BGGW), [6] which formed after an aborted attempt by Daniel Eduardo "Devil Dan" Policarpo, an Austin-based musician, to start a modern roller derby-themed enterprise. [7] BGGW formed as the first all-female roller derby organization. [8]
The first public exhibition was held at Playland Skate Center in Austin on June 23, 2002, in front of 350 fans, with a follow-up event held in August before double the number of people. [9] The final event of 2002 sold out at 1200 tickets, and hundreds of people had to be turned away. [10] A March 2003 doubleheader at the Austin Music Hall during South by Southwest featured the band Nashville Pussy for entertainment. [11]
By April, approximately 80% of the skaters left BGGW, taking three of the extant four teams with them, [9] to form Texas Rollergirls Rock-n-Rollerderby, while the remaining skaters recruited new members to found the TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls. [2] The nascent Texas Rollergirls announced their first bout in April 2003 at Playland Skate Center, [12] and in July of that year surpassed attendance levels previously under the BGGW name. [9]
The Texas Rollergirls continued to develop and play a flat track game that spread to other cities [13] and became the basis of the game now fostered by WFTDA, while the Lonestar Rollergirls developed their own version of a roller derby game played on a banked track. The reasons and events leading up to the departure of the founding members of Texas Rollergirls are documented in the 2007 film Hell on Wheels . [14]
In November 2004, Texas took part in the first true interleague games of the modern era, [13] taking on Arizona Roller Derby and Tucson Roller Derby (Tucson and Arizona had a loose affiliation at the time). [1] [15] Texas defeated Tucson's Saddletramps 110-70. [15]
In 2007, Texas hosted the second WFTDA Championships at the Austin Convention Center, at which they placed third, while the Kansas City Roller Warriors won. [16]
Texas Rollergirls, the first flat-track roller derby league, has had major influence on the evolution and growth of the sport. Texas is credited with directly inspiring the formation of WFTDA-founding member leagues in Chicago, [17] Madison, [18] and Minnesota, [19] among countless others. The track and rules used by the WFTDA were originally defined by the Texas Rollergirls, and even the Hydra Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the WFTDA Championships, is named after founding member (and the first WFTDA president) Jennifer "Hydra" Wilson. [9]
The home teams of the Texas Rollergirls are the Hell Marys, the Honky Tonk Heartbreakers, the Hotrod Honeys, and the Hustlers. The players also compete regionally and nationally as the Homies. [20]
In 2007, Texas Rollergirls began supporting and training additional skaters who were interested in playing flat track derby more informally and recreationally. [21] In addition to the main WFTDA league, the Texas Rollergirls Rec 'n' Rollerderby league consists of over 50 recreational skaters who compete with one another in informal flat-track games in Austin.
During 2018, the league announced it was renaming its travel B teams as the Texas Chainsaws. [22]
Texas Rollergirls, represented by the Texecutioners, won the first WFTDA Championships, the "Dust Devil" tournament, in 2006. [5]
In 2007, the WFTDA began hosting regional playoffs to qualify for championships, and at the first WFTDA Western Regional Tournament, Texas came in third place with a 111-62 victory over the Kansas City Roller Warriors after losing to Rat City Rollergirls of Seattle. [23] At the 2007 championships in Austin, Texas again was knocked to the third-place game by Rat City, and defeated Carolina Rollergirls 110-46 to claim third place. [24] Texas won the 2008 Western Regional with a 135-49 victory against Bay Area. [25]
At 2008's championships in Portland, Texas defeated Carolina in their first game, but then lost to Windy City Rollers of Chicago in the semifinals 110-97 (in overtime), dropping them to the third place bout, which they lost 114-95 to Philly Roller Girls to finish in fourth place. [26]
Ahead of the 2009 season, the WFTDA adjusted its structure, and Texas was placed in the South Central Region. Texas won the first WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament with a 150-73 victory over Kansas City. [27] At the 2009 championships in Philadelphia, Texas beat Boston and Rocky Mountain Rollergirls in the opening rounds, but then fell 178-100 to the Oly Rollers to finish in second place. [28]
Texas came in second at the 2010 South Central Regionals in Lincoln, Nebraska following a 157-127 loss to Kansas City. [29] Texas then won their opening game at Championships against Bay Area, but lost in the quarterfinals 151-52 to Gotham Girls Roller Derby to end their tournament. [30]
In 2011, Texas gained revenge against Kansas City by beating them 132-92 to take first place at regionals in October. [31] Championships that year brought yet another rematch against Kansas City in the third place game, which Texas won 136-112. [32]
At the final South Central Regional in 2012, Texas opened with strong victories against Omaha and Tampa, and then defeated Atlanta 144-124 to win their second straight regional. [33] For the second straight year, Texas also made the third place game at championships; however, this time they lost, 210-199 to Denver to finish fourth. [34]
In 2013 the WFTDA restructured playoffs again, and under the new divisional model Texas qualified as a Division 1 team for the tournament in Richmond, Virginia, [35] which they won with a 253-210 victory against Philly. [36] Texas then returned to the championship game at championships for the first time since 2009, coming close but ultimately falling to Gotham 199-173. [37] Texecutioner Bloody Mary was named tournament MVP. [37]
At the Evansville D1 tournament in 2014, an upset loss to Windy City put Texas in the third-place game, which they won over Jacksonville Rollergirls 335-221 to finish in third. [38] At championships in Milwaukee, Texas beat Angel City Derby Girls in their opening game but then lost in the quarterfinals to Gotham 163-117 to be eliminated. [39]
At the 2015 Dallas D1 Playoff, Texas knocked off Philly in the semifinals and then fell to Rose City Rollers 257-223 to finish in second. [40] After narrowly beating Minnesota Rollergirls in the opening round, Texas lost in the quarterfinals to Victoria 181-85 to end their run. [41]
In 2016 Texas came close to upsetting London Rollergirls at Division 1 Playoffs in Montreal, ultimately falling 146-135 to finish second. [42] At the 2016 championships, Texas knocked out Rat City in their first game but then lost their third-straight champs quarterfinal 186-172 to Rose City. [43]
At the 2017 Division 1 tournament in Dallas, Texas won their quarterfinal against Dallas Derby Devils 248-89 [44] and their semifinal against Arch Rival Roller Derby 209-119, [45] but lost the final game to Victoria 193-50 to finish in second place. [46] At the 2017 championships, Texas won their opening game against Rat City 254-128 [47] but lost their quarterfinal to Gotham in a last-jam comeback 148-145. [48] Texas finished their weekend with a consolation round win over Minnesota, 280-153. [49]
In 2018, Texas was the top seed at the WFTDA Playoff in Atlanta and took first place with a 172-155 victory over Jacksonville; Texecutioner jammer Freight Train was named the tournament MVP. [50] At Championships in New Orleans, Texas lost their quarterfinal to Gotham, and their consolation round game to Arch Rival. [51]
Season | Final ranking [52] | Playoffs | Championship |
---|---|---|---|
2006 | 1 WFTDA [53] | — | 1 [5] |
2007 | 3 WFTDA [54] | 3 W [23] | 3 [16] |
2008 | 1 SC [55] | 1 W [25] | 4 [26] |
2009 | 1 SC [56] | 1 SC [27] | 2 [28] |
2010 | 2 SC [57] | 2 SC [29] | QF [30] |
2011 | 1 SC [58] | 1 SC [31] | 3 [32] |
2012 | 1 SC [59] | 1 SC [33] | 4 [34] |
2013 | 3 WFTDA [60] | 1 D1 [36] | 2 D1 [37] |
2014 | 5 WFTDA [61] | 3 D1 [38] | QF D1 [39] |
2015 | 5 WFTDA [62] | 2 D1 [40] | QF D1 [41] |
2016 | 6 WFTDA [63] | 2 D1 [42] | QF D1 [43] |
2017 | 7 WFTDA [64] | 2 D1 [46] | CR D1 [49] |
2018 | 7 WFTDA [65] | 1 [50] | CR [51] |
An August 2004 [66] appearance on Good Morning America featured an interview with Whiskey L'Armour and members of the Texas Rollergirls demonstrating moves with host Robin Roberts, who donned skates for the segment. [67] Founding member Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan wrote Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track, published by Simon and Schuster in 2007, as a memoir and history of the early days of roller derby in Texas. [68]
The Texas Rollergirls are featured in the 2012 Australian documentary film This Is Roller Derby . [69] Photographer Felicia Graham published Rollergirls: The Story of Flat Track Derby in 2018, as a chronicle of the league's history and people. [70]
Windy City Rollers is a women's flat-track roller derby league located in Chicago, Illinois. Founded by Juanna Rumbel and Sister Sledgehammer in 2004, Windy City is the first flat-track roller derby league established in Chicago, and is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Rat City Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 2004 as Rat City Rollergirls, LLC, the league has incorporated alternative cultural influences, and has inspired and mentored other leagues. Rat City is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and has achieved success on the WFTDA stage, qualifying for WFTDA Playoffs every season, including a second-place finish in the 2007 WFTDA Championships.
Arch Rival Roller Derby, or ARCH, is a women's flat-track roller derby league in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 2005, Arch Rival is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
The Rose City Rollers is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Portland, Oregon, operating as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Established in 2004, the Rose City Rollers consists of a recreational program, four adult local home teams, and two all-star travel teams that represent the league in competition with others as well as junior skaters on six home teams with a travel team for Rose Petals (7–12) and a travel team for Rosebuds (12–17). Rose City's all-star travel team "Wheels of Justice" won the WFTDA Championships in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.
Minnesota Roller Derby (MNRD) is a flat track roller derby league based in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in the United States. Founded in August 2004 as Minnesota RollerGirls by the Donnelly sisters, MNRD was one of the first 30 members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) by early 2006. Today the league has over 80 skaters playing on four home teams as well as their All-Star team, which has qualified for WFTDA Playoffs every year since its inception.
The Kansas City Roller Warriors (KCRW) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Kansas City, Kansas that was founded in 2004. The members of the league are split into four home teams that play within the league and two travel teams that represent KCRW in competition with other leagues. KCRW is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and the Kansas City Roller Warriors All Star travel team was the winner of the 2007 WFTDA Championships, the "Texas Shootout", which took place in Austin, Texas.
Carolina Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league in Raleigh, North Carolina. Operating as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and founded in January 2004, Carolina is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Ohio Roller Derby (OHRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 2005, the league currently consists of two mixed teams which compete against teams from other leagues. Ohio Roller Derby is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Gotham Roller Derby is a flat track roller derby league based in New York City, New York. Founded in late 2003, Gotham is the first flat track roller derby league in the metropolitan New York area and a founding member league of the sport's governing body, the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). Gotham is one of the preeminent leagues in roller derby, having won five WFTDA Championships. Today, the league is composed of four New York City-based teams, three travel teams, a competitive developmental team, a non competitive recreational program and a juniors program for youth.
Charm City Roller Derby (CCRD), was a flat track roller derby league in Baltimore, Maryland. Founded in 2005, Charm City is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Denver Roller Derby (DRD) is a flat-track roller derby league based in Denver, Colorado. The league was founded in December 2005. Denver Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), joining in December 2007 as Denver Roller Dolls. In January 2015, the league changed its name to Denver Roller Derby.
Arizona Roller Derby is Arizona's first all female roller derby league. It was founded in 2003 making it one of the oldest resurgence roller derby leagues in America. Arizona Roller Derby, abbreviated as AZRD, is one of the founding members of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association.
Boston Roller Derby, (BRD), is a flat-track roller derby league based in Boston, Massachusetts. The league was founded as Boston Derby Dames in May 2005, and is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). The league's all-star team, the Boston Massacre, was one of the top 25 WFTDA Division 1 teams in the world through most of the duration of the divisional ranking system introduced in early 2013, and as of December 31, 2015, the Massacre was ranked at 21. Boston won the WFTDA Division 2 Championship in 2017 and the North America East Continental Cup in 2018.
Philly Roller Derby (PRD) is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2005, Philly Roller Derby is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
The Oly Rollers are a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Olympia, Washington. Founded in February 2006, the Oly Rollers have won both the WFTDA Championship and the USARS National Championship. The Oly Rollers are a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Rocky Mountain Roller Derby (RMRD) is a flat-track roller derby league based in Denver, Colorado. Founded in 2004, Rocky Mountain is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA), and has qualified for WFTDA Playoffs every year, including winning the WFTDA Championships in 2010.
Houston Roller Derby (HRD) is a women's flat track roller derby league based in Houston, Texas. HRD was founded in early 2004, and is a founding member league of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Nashville Roller Derby is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded as Nashville Rollergirls, the league is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Duke City Roller Derby (DCRD) is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Founded in 2005, Duke City is a founding member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
The International Women's Flat Track Derby Association Championships are the leading competition for roller derby leagues.