Memphis Roller Derby

Memphis Roller Derby, or MRD, is a women's flat-track roller derby league based in Memphis, Tennessee. Founded in 2004, Memphis Roller Derby is a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).[1]

Memphis Roller Derby
Metro areaMemphis, Tennessee
CountryUnited States
Founded2006
TeamsMemphis Hustlin' Rollers (A Team)
Blues City Bombers (B team)
Track type(s)Flat
VenuePipkin Building at MidSouth Fairgrounds, Memphis
AffiliationsWFTDA
Websitehttp://www.memphisrollerderby.com

History

In January 2006 Sam Red[2] discovered modern roller derby via the A&E reality TV show Rollergirls. Red enlisted friends Jen Hughes and Vicki Lassiter (known as "Elle Tempered", "Snark Attack" and "Victator", respectively),[3] and the three women promoted the concept with flyers and also online. The first practice was scheduled for February 12 at Skateland on Summer, but after a fire there was held instead at Skateland Raleigh,[3] and the result was the formation of four home teams: the Legion of Zoom, Angels of Death, Prisskilla Presleys, and Women of Mass Destruction.[4]

The Hustlin' Rollers travel team played and won their first game in 2007,[5] 83−58 over New Orleans's Big Easy Rollergirls.[6]

Memphis Roller Derby was accepted as a member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association in late 2008.[7] They went undefeated 13−0 this year.

In 2011, The Hustlin' Rollers traveled to Tulsa, OK, Huntsville, AL, and Knoxville, TN for their away games and tournaments, including the Honky Tonk Stomp, Tennessee's statewide roller derby tournament.

The Hustlin' Rollers took some early hard losses in 2012, against the Oklahoma Victory Dolls and St. Louis' Arch Rival Roller Girls. Later in the season, the Hustlin' Rollers were victorious at Honky Tonk Stomp and were again Tennessee State Champions.

After a measurable dip in proficiency in the past 2 years, The Hustlin' Rollers were out of the gate strong in 2013 with an early win against Magnolia Roller Vixens but had a lackluster mid-season drop after losing to Gold Coast Derby Grrls, Duke City Roller Derby, and Dallas Derby Devils in the annual Clover Cup tournament. Memphis went on to defeat Springfield Roller Girls later in the season and secured a repeat tournament win at the annual Honky Tonk Stomp. Keeping momentum, a late season re-match with Dallas resulted in a nail-biting loss for Memphis by only 2 points.

The league home teams competed for a league championship every season starting in 2007, with the Angels of Death defeating the Women of Mass Destruction in the first three finals. The Women of Mass Destruction then won the next four league titles, beating the Angels of Death in 2010, and then the Prisskilla Prezleys the following three seasons. As of 2017, Memphis Roller Derby operates two travel teams that play teams from other leagues, and the home teams are currently dormant.

WFTDA competition

2009 was the first year that Memphis qualified for WFTDA Playoffs, competing at the WFTDA South Central Regional Tournament in Atlanta. They went in as the tenth seed, and after losses to Tampa Bay Derby Darlins and Atlanta Rollergirls defeated West Texas Roller Dollz 134-82 to finish in ninth place.[8]

In 2010, with turnover on the Memphis Hustlin' Rollers roster, they competed at the South Central Regional Tournament in Lincoln, Nebraska as the tenth seed, but lost their games against Houston Roller Derby, Dallas Derby Devils and Hard Knox Roller Girls and finished in tenth place.[9]

Rankings
Season Final ranking[10] Playoffs Championship
2009 9 SC[11] 10 SC[8] DNQ
2010 16 SC[12] 9 SC[9] DNQ
2011 16 SC[13] DNQ DNQ
2012 16 SC[14] DNQ DNQ
2013 93 WFTDA[15] DNQ DNQ
2014 132 WFTDA[16] DNQ DNQ
2015 100 WFTDA[17] DNQ DNQ
2016 117 WFTDA[18] DNQ DNQ
2017 310 WFTDA[19] DNQ DNQ

References
  1. "Memphis Roller Derby – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  2. "Roller Derby Comes to Collierville". WMC-TV. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  3. Rolie, Angelina (16 November 2006). "Derby Days". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  4. Faber, Madeline (5 May 2016). "Memphis Roller Derby Knocks Its Way to New Horizons". Memphis Daily News. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  5. Branston, John (24 May 2007). "Memphis Roller Derby Double-Header This Weekend". Memphis Flyer. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  6. "5/19/07: Memphis (83) @ Big Easy (58) | Roller Derby Stats & Rankings | Flat Track Stats". flattrackstats.com. Flat Track Stats. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  7. "Member Leagues". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 16 December 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  8. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (25 September 2009). "South Central Regionals Capsule Recaps | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  9. Marshall, Justice Feelgood (8 October 2010). "2010 South Central Region Playoffs Recaps | Derby News Network". www.derbynews.net. Derby News Network. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  10. "Current Rankings", WFTDA
  11. "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 30 April 2010. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  12. "Rankings – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  13. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  14. "Current Rankings". WFTDA. Archived from the original on 20 March 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  15. "Rankings: December 31, 2013 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  16. "Rankings: December 31, 2014 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  17. "Rankings: December 31, 2015 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  18. "Rankings: December 31, 2016 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  19. "Rankings: December 31, 2017 – WFTDA". wftda.com. WFTDA. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
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