Flat Track Roller Derby in the USA
A bit of history about the fast-paced sport of Flat Track Roller Derby in the USA
Marquette, MI – In celebration of the 2015 women’s roller derby season here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan we’d like to share a bit of the history of the sport that has become a hugely successful sub-culture movement across the nation. If you feel so inspired to experience the excitement for yourself you can catch the season home opener here in Marquette this weekend when The Dead River Derby hosts a double header at Lakeview Arena! More info at the end of this article.
World Premier Transcontinental Roller Derby Track in Chicago, 1935. (photo courtesy of the National Museum of Roller Skating)
When Leo Seltzer first sketched out the idea for a roller skating marathon race event he would call the Transcontinental Roller Derby, he probably had no idea that his vision would kick off a movement that would morph and evolve for the next near-century into a fast-paced, highly-athletic, complex sport that would sweep nations around the world with its excitement and contagious energy. In 1935, that first year of Roller Derby’s journey, 25 male-female paired teams met on a raised track in Chicago to compete in a 3,000 mile race that would result in numerous injuries and even two deaths. From that inaugural event, Roller Derby would evolve into a sport consisting of two teams of five skaters on a raised oblong track, competing for points earned by passing the opposing team as they circled the track.
Throughout it’s history, Derby has seen peaks and valleys including its near-disappearance when many of its stars eventually enlisted in the armed services during WWII, its resurgence as a dramatic spectacle in the 60’s and 70’s, numerous variations of derby-based rollersports in the 80’s and finally, the starburst Big Bang of Derby’s modern model of the sport; Flat Track Roller Derby.
Laying down its roots in Austin, Texas – modern Roller Derby has grown from a fringe sport to a massive, worldwide powerhouse that ranks among the fastest-growing sports ever. In 2014, there were nearly 450 member and apprentice leagues in the sport’s most recognized association and governing body; The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Non-member leagues who play under the WFTDA ruleset and structure pop up in new locations around the world on a near-daily basis, with these less-formal organizations estimated to number in the thousands. Part of the explosive growth in modern Roller Derby was the shift to the ‘flat track’ version. With the advent of this offshoot, no longer was a large and expensive raised track required. Roller Derby could be played anywhere there was a space big enough to lay down a taped or drawn track and across America roller rinks, skating rinks, warehouses and storage facilities were put to the purpose as the sport caught on like wildfire.
Adding to the fuel of this unique and raging fire was the wide gap in the space left open for engaging, athletic, exciting, all-women’s sports. While today there are hundreds of men’s and co-ed leagues in the growing sport, modern Roller Derby remains dominated by its “for women, by women” roots. Most leagues are non-profit or profit-based business organizations that are started, built, run and governed by the women who play.
Aimed at empowerment, self-confidence, athleticism and camaraderie; Roller Derby has become one of the greatest stories of women’s leadership, strength and capability of contemporary times. Here in the U.P. a dynamic roller derby women’s league is well-established and thriving!
Puttin’ on da Hitz
The 2015 Dead River Derby season continues on May 2nd as both Dead River Derby teams take on teams from the Mid-State Sisters of Skate, a seasoned WFTDA league from Stevens Point, WI. Don’t miss this exciting double header!
A portion of the proceeds from this bout will benefit Revolutions.
Doors open at 5pm, bouting starts at 6pm.
Purchase Tickets ahead of time at http://
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