About MRD

That smell of burnt rubber around town? It isn't from high-speed hot rods, but high-speed hot quads.

Since February 2006, about 60 Memphis-area women have been racing their quads, the four-wheeled roller skates that pre-date inline skates, in preparation for the newly formed Memphis Roller Derby (MRD). Of course, the wheels are actually made of polyurethane now rather than rubber, but when you're burning wheels, it all smells the same. MRD is the region's only all-female, flat-track derby league. The skaters, women 21 years and older, practice speed, stopping, weaving, and jumping drills each week at various area roller rinks.

Aside from recruiting new team skaters, MRD is always on the look-out for volunteers, sponsors, and, of course, fresh meat. Please visit our contact page.

In the Beginning

In January 2006, Sam Red's coworker brought her a tape with six episodes of A&E's reality television show Rollergirls. Red, who had just bought a pair of quad skates on a whim, stared at the screen and said, "Oh God, this is my destiny?"

Knowing she couldn't start a league on her own, Red immediately called the most organized person she knew, Jen Hughes, a librarian. "No way am I skating, but I'll help you with the business aspect," Hughes said.

Next Red called Vicki Lassiter, the drummer from their former all girl band, Pistol Whipped. Red hadn't talked to Lassiter in over a year, but knew she'd be perfect for the derby. You're joking, right?" Lassiter said before hanging up.

A week later Lassiter called back. She had talked to some of her skateboarding friends and local bands and could see it all coming together in her mind. "I can't sleep because all I can think about is Roller Derby," she said. "Let's do it."

The three women decided to set up a Myspace account and plaster every bar, restaurant, and record store in midtown Memphis with flyers to spark interest in the derby. Their plan worked and three weeks later, a mob of ferocious women in fishnets and short skirts gathered at Skateland Raleigh to lace up their skates and see if they still had the skills they had carefully honed at birthday parties in the seventies and eighties.

Luckily, they did.

Roller Derby Herstory

In 1935, during the worst times of the Great Depression, a man named Leo Seltzer invented a spectacle called roller derby. It became a full-contact physical sport, with elbows, body-checks and fights galore. The fans loved it. By the late '40s and '50s, roller derby bouts drew as many as 30,000-40,000 fans, and skaters, now household names, appeared on the covers of national magazines. This continued through the '60s and '70s, until the gas shortage caused the main derby leagues to fold.

Contemporary leagues are thus far all-female and are self-organized, formed in a do-it-yourself spirit by relatively new roller derby enthusiasts.

The new generation of derby skaters pays homage to the traditions of the past by combining hard-hitting action with explosive entertainment. New innovations such as "Spank Alley," arm wrestling, and pillow fights have replaced the penalty box. An abundance of adult beverages and live performances by local bands during half-time add to the excitement of bouts. Fans are often seated just a few feet away from the track and may go home with a few bruises of their own. But don't worry, MRD is padded for your protection.

About the WFTDA

(From WFTDA.com)

MRD is affiliated with the WFTDA (Women's Flat Track Derby Association) which promotes and fosters the sport of women's flat track derby by facilitating the development of athletic ability, sportswomanship, and goodwill among member leagues. The governing philosophy is "by the skaters, for the skaters." Women skaters are primary owners, managers, and operators of each member league and of the association. Operational tasks include setting standards for rules, seasons, and safety, and 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.

Community Service

Memphis Roller Derby is an active part in the community and has been for several years since its inception. We strive to give back to and improve the public that supports us. We understand the need for thriving businesses in this economy and do everything we can to support and promote local businesses and organizations. We offer our time and service any opportunity we have. A few examples of our community services within the past year are….

St Jude Marathon: For years Memphis Roller Derby has volunteered their efforts to run a spirit station along the track for the annual St Jude Marathon that benefits the patients of St Jude. We are invited back and are happy to help year after year.

Center for Southern Folklore: Memphis Roller Derby sent dozens of their skaters out in shifts to the Memphis Music and Heritage Festival this year to collect donations for the Center for Southern Folklore as the massive event they were putting on was a free event. We were instantly invited back next year and were told by the coordinator that we raised the most money out of every volunteer organization present!

Salvation Army / Toys for Tots: Memphis Roller Derby held a toy donation drive for the Toys for Tots program this holiday season. We collected for the 3 hours that we had our event. By the end of the three hours, the Salvation Army contacts told us that we collected more toys for the children than they had collected standing outside of a Toys R Us for a half a day!

Salvation Army / Angel Tree Program: Memphis Roller Derby gladly participates in the annual Angel Tree Program which provides items for qualified, underprivileged children to receive as gifts under their Christmas tree on Christmas morning. Memphis Roller Derby sponsored fifteen children from the Memphis area this year and skaters went out and bought whatever it was that the children were asking for. Some skaters bought video games, CD players, bicycles, etc. The program manager, Lynette Shettles, was extremely grateful to our organization and looks forward to working with us next Christmas.

Verizon Wireless Hope Line Program: Memphis Roller Derby held an extremely successful cell phone and cell phone accessories drive during their November bout to support Verizon Wireless’ Hope Line Drive program which repairs old cell phones and supplies them to recovering victims of domestic violence.

Shriner’s Car Show: Memphis Roller Derby annually participates in the local Shriner Chapter’s Car Show. We put on a demo bout for their entertainment, as well as assist in passing out awards and cheering people up, in general. We raised $300 in raffle ticket sales for the organization. We are always invited back.

The Church Health Center/Rock for Love: Memphis Roller Derby manned the silent auction table at this event for two days and donated a merchandise basket in order to help raise money for this organization that provides the unemployed with health benefits. We loved this event so much; we can’t wait to do it again!