Detroit Derby Girls Prepare for National Championships

Posted on September 25, 2007

Detroit, Michigan—September 25, 2007. The Detroit Derby Girls travel team is gearing up to take on the number one ranked league in the nation, the Rat City Rollergirls (Seattle, WA), at the 2007 national championships of the Women’s Flat Track Roller Derby Association. The championship tournament–called “Texas Shootout”–is scheduled for September 29-30, 2007 in Austin, TX. Hosted by the Texas Rollergirls, more information on the tournament and scheduling can be found at their website, <www.txrollergirls.com>.

The DDG qualified for nationals after emerging as the Cinderella story of the eastern regional tournament, “Heartland Havoc,” hosted by the Ohio Rollergirls in Columbus, OH on August 17-19, 2007. The DDG entered the tournament ranked 19th in the nation (9th in the east) according to the latest WFTDA rankings (compiled in June 2007). After a nail-biting overtime win against the Boston Derby Dames (Boston, MA - ranked 18th in the nation, 8th in the east), the DDG proceeded to pull off a stunning and decisive upset against the powerhouse Minnesota Rollergirls (Minneapolis, MN - ranked 6th in the nation, 2nd in the east), securing their slot for the 2007 national championships, which pits the top four teams from the eastern and western regional tournaments against one another. The DDG did suffer losses to their eastern counterparts, the Carolina Rollergirls (Raleigh, NC - ranked 7th in the nation, 3rd in the east) and Gotham Girls Roller Derby (New York, NY - ranked 10th in the nation, 5th in the east) at Heartland Havoc. These two teams will join Detroit, along with Chicago’s Windy City Rollers (ranked 14th in the nation, 7th in the east), in representing the east in Austin. Not only did the DDG help to turn the WFTDA rankings on their head in Columbus, but the DDG’s own Racer McChaseHer was voted MVP of the tournament by her fellow skaters.

Racer will be joined by a team of DDG all-stars who distinguished themselves at Heartland Havoc as some of the best blockers and jammers in the east. Players like Cookie Rumble, Black Eyed Skeez, Rock Candy, Honey Suckit, KillBox, Vega Vendetta, and Elle McFearsome are  well-known to spectators here in Detroit, where they’ve honed their derby skills on the track at the Masonic Temple. These athletes are about to make names for themselves on a national level in Austin. Fans in Detroit will have an opportunity to see the DDG travel team in action after they return from the national championships, when they play the Sin City Neanderdolls (Las Vegas, NV - ranked 15th in the nation) on Friday, October 12, 2007 at the Masonic Temple (500 Temple Street, Detroit, MI). Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 and are available now at any Michigan Meijer store or at <www.starticketsplus.com>. This is the last interleague bout before the start of the 2007-2008 DDG home season in November, when the four Detroit teams–the Devil’s Night Dames, the Detroit Pistoffs, the D-Funk All-Stars, and the Pistolwhippers–begin their race for the 2008 DDG intraleague championship. For additional information about tickets and events, please see the DDG website at <www.detroitderbygirls.com>.

The Detroit Derby Girls, established in early 2005, is an all-female owned and operated flat track roller derby league. Over 60 skaters strong, the Detroit Derby Girls are part of the national rebirth of roller derby that began in 2001. Currently, over 40 leagues have formed throughout the US and are joined together by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA, <www.wftda.org>). The WFTDA is the national organizing body that has equal representation from all active flat track leagues in which women skaters are primary owners, managers and operators.

Announcing the Detroit Derby Girls 2007 League Championship: July 21, 2007

Posted on July 13, 2007

Detroit, Michigan—July 13, 2007. The Detroit Derby Girls’ 2007 intraleague championship game will be a rematch of the Devil’s Night Dames and the Pistolwhippers on Saturday, July 21, 2007 at the Masonic Temple (500 Temple Street, Detroit, MI). Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 and are available now at any Michigan Meijer store or at <www.starticketsplus.com>. For additional information about tickets and events, please see the DDG website at <www.detroitderbygirls.com>.

These teams last met May 12, when the Devil’s Night Dames scored 116 points to the Pistolwhippers’ 100. Rookie sensation Racer McChaseHer emerged as both MVP and Jammer of the Game, having scored 61 of the points for the Dames. Known for their strong jammers, the Dames have an excellent roster that includes not only Racer, but Summer’s Eve-L and assistant captain Rock Candy, who have had characteristically impressive showings throughout the season. The Dames’ blocker core includes team captain Lady MacDeath, who was named the Most Improved Skater of the 2006 season, and the notoriously hard-hitting Tura Skatana, who will return to the track for this game after recovering from an injury. The Pistolwhippers, however, have had championship experience before—they placed second in the 2006 season. Captained by jammer Honey Suckit and her assistant captain, the devastating blocker/jammer KillBox, the Pistolwhippers’ seasoned roster includes blockers Del Bomber, Diesel Doll, and Cold Fusion, who are known for their big hits. These veteran skaters are buttressed by rookies Bytch Ryder, Holly Crap!, and Bruisie Sioux, who have all shown tremendous tenacity throughout this season and will be a force to be reckoned with during this championship bout on July 21.

While fast-moving and hard-hitting flat track roller derby is the centerpiece of the DDG, additional bout entertainment will be provided by the Motor City Rah-Rahs and DJ Tim Tiki, with live music by the Breakers. The after-party includes a special event at the New Dodge Lounge (8850 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, MI) with the Orbitsuns. At the bout the DDG is collecting donations to benefit Alternatives for Girls, a non-profit organization based in Southwest Detroit which provides homeless and at-risk girls and young women with safe shelter, educational support, vocational guidance, mentoring, and counseling in order to empower them to make positive choices, and to help them avoid violence, teen pregnancy, and exploitation. For more information, please see <www.alternativesforgirls.org>. The DDG asks for help supporting Alternatives for Girls in the form of donations: twin sheet sets, socks, towels, washcloths, regular size hygiene items (such as toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, and soap), and cash assistance is all greatly appreciated.

The Detroit Derby Girls, established in early 2005, is an all-female owned and operated flat track roller derby league. Over 60 skaters strong, the Detroit Derby Girls are part of the national rebirth of roller derby that began in 2001. Currently, over 40 leagues have formed throughout the US and are joined together by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA, <www.wftda.org>). The WFTDA is the national organizing body that has equal representation from all active flat track leagues in which women skaters are primary owners, managers and operators.

Announcing the Detroit Derby Girls 2007 Home Season Game 6: June 23, 2007

Posted on June 13, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Detroit, Michigan—June 13, 2007. The Detroit Derby Girls’ sixth game of the 2007 home season will feature a fierce match up between the D-Funk Allstars and the Pistolwhippers. The bout is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, 2007 at the Masonic Temple (500 Temple Street, Detroit, MI). Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 and are available now at any Michigan Meijer store or at <www.starticketsplus.com>. For the rest of the home season schedule and additional information about tickets, please see the DDG website, <www.detroitderbygirls.com>.

These teams haven’t met since the first game of the 2006 season, in a nail-biter that led to the DDG’s first—and, to date, only—game decided by an overtime jam. The Pistolwhippers squeaked by with a thin 119-113 victory. This storied—and hotly contested—outcome has fostered a sense that both teams have something to prove in their rematch this season. Both D-Funk and the Pistolwhippers arrive to this bout with 1-1 records, a core of veteran skaters, and some promising rookie players. Not only that, but this game will decide who will take on the hot Devil’s Night Dames in the 2007 championship on July 21. This is truly anyone’s game.

While fast-moving and hard-hitting flat track roller derby is the centerpiece of the DDG, additional bout entertainment will be provided by the DDG cheerleaders (henceforth known as the Motor City Rah-Rahs), DJ Tim Tiki, and the returning hula hoop sensation, Revolva. After-party entertainment includes a special event at the Old Miami (3930 Cass Avenue, Detroit, MI) with DJs Tim Tiki, Grimly Fiendish, and Elisavet. At the bout the DDG is also collecting donations to benefit Arts and Scraps, a Detroit-based non-profit organization with the mission “to provide children with affordable and creative experiences using recycled industrial scraps to actively involve them in learning, increase their confidence, and encourage independent thinking.” The DDG asks that fans help the league support Arts and Scraps by donating scratched or old CDs, new or broken crayons, kids’ scissors, and used ink cartridges. Any assistance in giving back to the community that has supported and encouraged the DDG is greatly appreciated.

The Detroit Derby Girls, established in early 2005, is an all-female owned and operated flat track roller derby league. Over 60 skaters strong, the Detroit Derby Girls are part of the national rebirth of roller derby that began in 2001. Currently, over 40 leagues have formed throughout the US and are joined together by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA, <www.wftda.org>). The WFTDA is the national organizing body that has equal representation from all active flat track leagues in which women skaters are primary owners, managers and operators.

Detroit Derby Girls Intraleague Bout Results: Devil’s Night Dames vs. Detroit Pistoffs, 6/2/2007

Posted on June 13, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Detroit, Michigan—June 13, 2007.On June 2 the Devil’s Night Dames battled the defending champion Detroit Pistoffs to a 99-80 victory in the Detroit Derby Girls’ fifth women’s flat track roller derby bout of the 2007 intraleague season. In doing so the Dames, fourth place finishers in 2006, secured a spot in the 2007 championships.
It was a tough game for the Pistoffs, who continue to skate without some of their key players: top jammer Deadly Dose still suffers from a knee injury, key blocker/pivot and assistant captain Bikini Killer is on leave while she participates in an internship, and great offensive blocker Soldier Doll is on leave while she serves in Iraq. Their absence was filled by returning skater Devil Kitty, who had been acting as Pistoffs manager while she recovered from a torn ACL, and who skated an impressive 68% of this game in her first time back. Although the Pistoffs were missing skaters, they were able to keep the score tight throughout the game with impenetrable walls of blockers. Captain Cookie Rumble emerged as Defensive Blocker of the Game, with a huge 24 blocks. She also scored 27 points in her turns as jammer, the high for her team. Elle McFearsome remained impressive across the board—with a significant number of assists and offensive blocks, defensive blocks, and 15 points in her turns as jammer. This game also saw a great performance by Pain McGowan, who had an excellent game as a defensive blocker with 13 blocks in addition to her assists and the points she scored at her first turns jamming in a bout.

Unfortunately for the Pistoffs, this wasn’t enough to stop another super performance by the Dames and their phenomenal rookie jammer, Racer McChaseHer. Although the Pistoffs walls were tough to get through, Racer still managed to score 48 points, the bulk for her team, which earned her Jammer of the Game honors. She also had a great game as a blocker, delivering offensive blocks and assists as well as 19 defensive blocks. Top blocker for the Dames, however, was team captain Lady MacDeath, who had 20 defensive blocks in addition to her 6 assists. Lady, who was named Most Improved Skater at the closing awards of the DDG 2006 season, was able to truly show the fruits of her hard work and diligence during this game. Her performance here, as well as the great strides she has made with this team as captain, rendered her game MVP. Also of note for the Dames was assistant captain Rock Candy, who scored a big 32 points during her turns as jammer in addition to her work as pivot/blocker. This game also saw the return of Loretta Synn, who did an excellent job at pivot after enduring a hiatus due to illness.

The next game of Detroit’s 2007 intraleague season is scheduled for June 23, and will see the D-Funk Allstars vs. Pistolwhippers. These teams haven’t met since a July 2006 nail-biter that went into overtime. Not only is this sure to be an exciting rematch, but this game will also determine the Dames’ rivals for the 2007 DDG championship. All home bouts are held at the Masonic Temple (500 Temple Street, Detroit, MI). Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 and are available now at any Michigan Meijer store or at <www.starticketsplus.com>. For the rest of the home season schedule and additional information about tickets, please see the DDG website, <www.detroitderbygirls.com>.

The Detroit Derby Girls, established in early 2005, is an all-female owned and operated flat track roller derby league. Over 60 skaters strong, the Detroit Derby Girls are part of the national rebirth of roller derby that began in 2001. Currently, over 40 leagues have formed throughout the US and are joined together by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA, <www.wftda.org>). The WFTDA is the national organizing body that has equal representation from all active flat track leagues in which women skaters are primary owners, managers and operators.

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