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]
 | |
| 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 | https://www.texasrollergirls.org/ |
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]
Early history
edit
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]
Influence on the derby revival and WFTDA
editTexas 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]
Teams
edit
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]
WFTDA competition
editTexas 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]
Rankings
edit| 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] |
- CR = consolation round
In media
editAn 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]
References
edit- ^ a b "February 2010 Featured League: Texas Rollergirls - Featured Leagueof the Month - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ a b Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track, by Melissa Joulwan
- ^ Flat Track Derby rules from the WFTDA official website
- ^ "Member Leagues". WFTDA. April 2006. Archived from the original on 9 April 2006. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b c "2006 Tournaments". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 23 February 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Texas Roller Derby Championship Trophies". www.thestoryoftexas.com. Bullock Museum. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ Brick, Michael (2008-12-17). "Pushing the Limit: The Dude of Roller Derby and His Vision". The New York Times. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
- ^ Abramczyk, Lamont (19 June 2015). "The Roller Derby Resurgence". CREEP MAGAZINE. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b c d Cohen, Alex; Barbee, Jennifer (13 July 2010). Down and Derby: The Insider's Guide to Roller Derby. Soft Skull Press. ISBN 9781593762742. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Gray, Christopher (24 January 2003). "Austin readies for Super Bowl weekend with roller skates, TV cameras, and a "yuppie makeover"". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "March 15th at the Austin Music Hall musical guest: Nashville Pussy!!!". Bad Girl, Good Woman Productions. Archived from the original on 1 April 2003. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Gray, Christopher (25 April 2003). "TCB Austin wonders if Billy Bob Thornton will hop onstage with Tori Amos". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Whittaker, Richard (27 November 2009). "Electric Skaterland". Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ Website for Hell on Wheels (2007 film)
- ^ a b "A Brief History of TRD". Tucson Roller Derby. Archived from the original on 2 July 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Whittaker, Richard (1 October 2007). "Kansas, the Wheeled Giant Killers and More on the Texas Shootout". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Sula, Mike (9 December 2004). "When Rumbel Met Sledgehammer". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Thomas, Rob (19 September 2016). "'Grandmother' league Mad Rollin' Dolls host roller derby playoffs". madison.com. The Capital Times. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Westhoff, Kelly (15 December 2004). "Hell on wheels: Minnesota RollerGirls are part of a roller derby revival - Minnesota Women's Press". www.womenspress.com. Minnesota Women's Press. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Texas Rollergirls". www.texasrollergirls.org. Retrieved 2024-09-06.
- ^ Texas Rollergirls Press Release announcing Rec-n-Rollerderby
- ^ "Texas Rollergirls - Premier Roller Derby in Austin, Texas". www.texasrollergirls.org. Texas Rollergirls. 22 March 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2018.
- ^ a b "Dust Devil 2007 – Final Roundup | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. 19 February 2007. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Marshall, Justice Feelgood (2 October 2007). "Texas Shootout Bout Recap: Texas 110, Carolina 46 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (8 October 2008). "Western Regionals: Complete Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (20 November 2008). "2008 WFTDA Nationals: Complete Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (25 September 2009). "South Central Regionals Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (14 November 2009). "2009 Nationals: Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (8 October 2010). "2010 South Central Region Playoffs Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (5 November 2010). "2010 WFTDA Championships Recaps | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b "SC Championship: 2SC Texas Reclaims SC Throne From 1SC Kansas City, 132-92 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. 3 October 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Marshall, Justice Feelgood (13 November 2011). "Championships Third Place: 1SC Texas Staves Off 2SC Kansas City, 136-112 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Talionis, Lex (8 October 2012). "SC Championship: 1SC Texas Repels 6SC Atlanta, 144-124 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Talionis, Lex (4 November 2012). "Championships Third Place: 2W Denver Rallies Past 1SC Texas, 210-199 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "September 13-15, 2013: Richmond, Virginia - Women's Flat Track Derby Association". wftda.org. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Talionis, Lex (15 September 2013). "D1R Final: (2) Texas Rides Out (4) Philly, 253-210 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b c Marshall, Justice Feelgood (11 November 2013). "WFTDA Championship: Gotham Does It Again, 199-173 | Derby News Network". Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Deadwards, Lisa (22 September 2014). "D1E 3rd: Texas Rollergirls Executes Jacksonville, 335-221". Derby Central. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Deadwards, Lisa (1 November 2014). "2014 WFTDA Champs: Gotham survives Texecution". Derby Central. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Defiance, Brooklyn (14 September 2015). "D1D 1st Place: #1 Rose City takes #2 Texas, 257-223". Derby Central. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b "D1 Champs: Victoria Victorious Over Texas, 181-85". Derby Central. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b Castro, Mishel (4 September 2016). "D1M 1st Place: #1 London fights past #2 Texas, 146-135". Derby Central. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ a b "2016 WFTDA D1 Champs: #3 Rose City knocks out #6 Texas, 186-172". Derby Central. 5 November 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Deadwards, Lisa (22 September 2017). "D1D: #2 Texas executes against #10 Dallas, 248-89". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Defiance, Brooklyn (24 September 2017). "D1D: #2 Texas wins over #3 Arch Rival, 209-119 | Derby Central". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ a b Defiance, Brooklyn (26 September 2017). "D1D 1st Place: #1 VRDL claims gold over #2 Texas, 193-50". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Khaos, Merry (3 November 2017). "WFTDA D1 Champs: #6 Texas outpaces Rat City, 254-128". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ Khaos, Merry (4 November 2017). "Champs: #3 Gotham squeezes past #6 Texas, 148-145". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ a b Defiance, Brooklyn (10 November 2017). "2017 D1 Champs: #6 Texas defeats #16 Minnesota, 280-153". Derby Central. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Texas Rollergirls Win 2018 International WFTDA Playoffs Atlanta – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. 24 September 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ a b "Schedule and Scores – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ "Current Rankings", WFTDA
- ^ "12/8/2006 WFTDA National Rankings", WFTDA [version of 23 February 2007]
- ^ "Current WFTDA Rankings", Derby News Network, October 2007
- ^ "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2013 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
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- ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2016 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
- ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2017 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 5 January 2018.
- ^ "Rankings: December 31, 2018 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- ^ Less, Mercy (14 December 2011). "DerbyLife » Melissa "Melicious" Joulwan Takes Athlete Gruel To New Heights". www.derbylife.com. Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ "Roller Derby in Texas - Year Two(?)". YouTube. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Hern, Lindy S.; Hirsch, Michael L. (26 October 2010). "Rollergirl: Totally True Tales from the Track". thirdspace: a journal of feminist theory & culture. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
- ^ Whittaker, Richard (27 April 2013). "'This is Roller Derby' Trying to Roll to Austin". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ Locke, Charley (19 November 2018). "A Look Inside 'Rollergirls,' a Photo Book About Flat-Track Roller Derby in Austin". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 9 January 2019.