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ROLLER DERBY HISTORY
IN THE BEGINNING MODERN ROLLER DERBY
1935
Roller derby is born in Chicago. Leo Seltzer,
inspired by an article on the popularity of
roller skating in America, scribbles the idea
on a napkin while eating at Johnny Ricketts.
His original idea called for a month-long,
transcontinental race between two
two-person skate teams.
AUGUST 13, 1935
The first Transcontinental roller derby
race is held Chicago: 25 two-skater co-ed
teams skate 3,000 miles (a distance equal
to that between San Diego and New York
City!) around a track. The winners are
the team that covered the distance in the
shortest time.
1937
Leo Seltzer creates a governing body for
roller derby. He names it the International
Roller Derby League (IRDL) and maintains
ownership rights.
FEBRUARY, 1937
A bus crash in Salem, IL kills over 40
derby skaters and personnel on their way
to a race in Cincinnati. The devastating
loss almost destroys the IRDL.
1938
Roller derby gains popularity throughout
the country. In 1938, sportswriter Damon
Runyon suggests an increase of physical
contact to Seltzer, and a version of the game
evolves into what we know today.
1938 - 1947
Runyon’s version of roller derby is played
between two teams of five men and five men,
scoring points by lapping opponents.
Seltzer’s version of the game continues to be
played throughout World War Two.
1948
Roller derby is televised for the first time.
A co-ed game captures the attention of
the nation and two female stars, Midge
“Toughie” Brashun and Gerry Murray win
the hearts of viewers.
1953
Roller derby hops the pond. The IRDL goes
on a tour, skating in Paris, Madrid, Barcelona
and London.
1958
Leo’s son, Jerry, takes over for his father and
moves the headquarters of the IRDL from the
east coast to California. Jerry Seltzer is still
active in the roller derby community to this
day and continually shows support for the
rebirth of the sport.
1961
A rival to the IRDL is created – the National
Skating Derby, nicknamed “National.”
1972
A skaters’ strike hobbles the IRDL and rising
costs makes the league suffer. In September,
over 52,000 fans attend an interleague
game between the IRDL and the National in
Chicago’s Comiskey Park.
1973
Gas shortages and increased costs cripple
Seltzer’s family-run league and the original
IRDL skates its last game on December 8,
1973 at the Long Island Arena in Commack,
NY. Seltzer sells everything to the National
Skating Derby.
APRIL 1977
The International Roller Skating
League (IRSL) is formed with David
Lipschultz at the helm.
DECEMBER 12, 1987
IRSL plays its last game in Madison Square
Garden in New York.
2001
The new millennium heralds the rebirth
of Roller Derby. Women working at four
different bars in Austin, TX decide to host an
interesting sporting event. With the help of
man named “Derby Dan,” they decide on an
all-woman, flat track roller derby bout.
Allegedly, the team themes were based on
the bars’ décor, and were represented in
each team’s DIY uniforms. This established
the flamboyant and flirtatious nature that is
present in derby today. What was supposed
to be a one-night-only event became so
popular that the women formed Bad Girl/
Good Woman productions (BGGW).
2002
BGGW’s inaugural season.
2003
BGGW splits due to business differences and
two separate leagues are formed: Lonestar
Rollergirls (who switched to playing on
a banked track, and still operate under
BGGW), and Texas Rollergirls (who stayed
with the flat-track format).
Derby takes off—Phoenix, then New York,
Los Angeles, Tucson, and North Carolina
create teams. The flat track format requires
less setup, startup money, and maintenance
so its popularity spreads and exceeds that of
banked track’s.
2004
The Women’s Flat Track Derby Association
is formalized.
This new governing body created a number
of requirements and bout (or game) dates
in an effort to formally unite leagues across
the nation and to elevate the image of
member leagues. WFTDA wants its members
to be seen as women who are world-class
athletes and business owners, focused on
the advancement of flat track roller Derby.
Its governing philosophy is “by the skaters,
for the skaters.” Women skaters are the
primary owners, managers, and operators of
each member league and of the association
itself. Operational tasks include setting
standards for rules, seasons, and safety
and for determining guidelines for
the national and international athletic
competitions of member leagues. All member
leagues have a voice in the decision-making
process, and agree to comply with the
governing body’s policies.
2009
WFTDA expands from two regions to four to
accommodate growing league membership.
Montreal becomes the first international
league in January 2009. Hammer City
of Hamilton, Ontario, became the second
later that year.
MAY 20, 2010
The first Transatlantic bout is played in
London. The Hustlers, a Texas Rollergirls
home team, travel to England to take on
the London Rollergirls. London had already
established themselves as the European
roller derby champions at Roll Britannia, the
first European tournament, in 2009.
JUNE 2010
London Rollergirls became the first
league outside of North America to be
accepted into WFTDA.
NOVEMBER 2012
WFTDA releases a new ruleset for the
2013 that does away with minor penalties
and 2 whistle jam starts.
JANUARY 2013
WFTDA releases a new rankings system
to categorize teams by game results instead
of geography. Instead of Regional Playoffs,
teams vying for a slot in Championships
will now compete in four Division 1 Playoffs
tournaments. Division 2 teams will also
compete in two separate Playoffs
tournaments to allow for additional
interleague gameplay.
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