Kansas City Roller Warriors
Encyclopedia
The Kansas City Roller Warriors (KCRW) are a roller derby
league in Kansas City, Missouri
. The league, founded in 2004, is composed of four member teams for play within the league and two travel teams that represent the league in competition with other leagues. The Kansas City Roller Warriors, KCRW's all-star travel team, are the 2007 Champions of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
. The 2011 KCRW home team champions are the Dreadnought Dorothys.
. Inspired by the Texas Rollergirls
, by June 2004 the KCRW LLC
was solidified. That summer, the two and a group of other women began practicing in a parking lot, forming the first practice of the Kansas City Roller Warriors. John Hernandez, a friend from college
, became the teams first coach
and the small contingent of team members distributed hand fliers to promote women to try out for the team. By the fall of 2004 the team was practicing at a local community center, on a basketball court
.
Since it's formation, the group consists of more than 80 players and four at home teams: The Black-Eye Susans, the Dreadnought Dorothys, the Knockouts and the Victory Vixens. KCRW originally held their bouts at the Winnwood Skate Center and Hale Arena
in Kansas City. KCRW now plays home games at the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium, while continuing to practice three days a week at the Winnwood. Approximately 30 people provide volunteer assistance for each at home event, including referees, announcers, score keepes and other support staff.
, American Diabetes Association
, Human Rights Campaign
, the Rose Brooks Center, and many more. KCRW has partnered with the Mid America Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
.
. The All Stars won the 2010 South Central Regional Championships and are the hosts of the WFTDA 2011 South Central Regional Tournament. The 2011 All Star team is managed by Jim Foulk and is composed of:
. 2007 wrapped up with approximately 2,200 attendees. KCRW completed the 2009 season 2nd place in the South Central WFTDA region. They ended the second quarter of the 2010 season in the South Central region in 3rd place. In 2011 the Dreadnought Dorothy's won the league's home team championship against the Victory Vixens. As of 2011, average bout attendance was 2,000.
Roller derby
Roller derby is a contact sport played by two teams of five members roller skating in the same direction around a track. Game play consists of a series of short matchups in which both teams designate a scoring player who scores points by lapping members of the opposing team...
league in Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
. The league, founded in 2004, is composed of four member teams for play within the league and two travel teams that represent the league in competition with other leagues. The Kansas City Roller Warriors, KCRW's all-star travel team, are the 2007 Champions of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association
Women's Flat Track Derby Association
The Women's Flat Track Derby Association is an association of women's flat track roller derby leagues in the United States. The organization was founded in April 2004 as the United Leagues Coalition but was renamed in November 2005. It is registered in Raleigh, North Carolina as a 501 business...
. The 2011 KCRW home team champions are the Dreadnought Dorothys.
History
KCRW was founded in 2004 by Brooke Levitt and Mandy Durham, who worked together as librariansLibrarian
A librarian is an information professional trained in library and information science, which is the organization and management of information services or materials for those with information needs...
. Inspired by the Texas Rollergirls
Texas Rollergirls
The Texas Rollergirls are a flat track roller derby league based in Austin, Texas, . The full trademarked name of the league is Texas Rollergirls Rock-n-Rollerderby...
, by June 2004 the KCRW LLC
Limited liability company
A limited liability company is a flexible form of enterprise that blends elements of partnership and corporate structures. It is a legal form of company that provides limited liability to its owners in the vast majority of United States jurisdictions...
was solidified. That summer, the two and a group of other women began practicing in a parking lot, forming the first practice of the Kansas City Roller Warriors. John Hernandez, a friend from college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
, became the teams first coach
Coach
-Transportation:* Coach , an automotive vehicle for long-distance travel** Coach , the mode of transport using such vehicles** Coach USA, an American bus transport company** Coach Canada, a Canadian bus transport company...
and the small contingent of team members distributed hand fliers to promote women to try out for the team. By the fall of 2004 the team was practicing at a local community center, on a basketball court
Basketball court
In basketball, the basketball court is the playing surface, consisting of a rectangular floor with tiles at either end. In professional or organized basketball, especially when played indoors, it is usually made out of a wood, often maple, and highly polished...
.
Since it's formation, the group consists of more than 80 players and four at home teams: The Black-Eye Susans, the Dreadnought Dorothys, the Knockouts and the Victory Vixens. KCRW originally held their bouts at the Winnwood Skate Center and Hale Arena
Hale Arena
Hale Arena is a 5,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Kansas City, Missouri. It was built in 1992 and was home to the Kansas City Knights basketball team after they moved from Kemper Arena in 2003. It was named in honor of H.D. "Joe" Hale and his wife Joyce for their financial contribution....
in Kansas City. KCRW now plays home games at the Kansas City Municipal Auditorium, while continuing to practice three days a week at the Winnwood. Approximately 30 people provide volunteer assistance for each at home event, including referees, announcers, score keepes and other support staff.
Charity
A portion of the proceeds from the league's home bouts are donated to local charities including the Kansas City Police Activities/Athletic League, American Cancer SocietyAmerican Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is the "nationwide community-based voluntary health organization" dedicated, in their own words, "to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy, and...
, American Diabetes Association
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based association working to fight the consequences of diabetes, and to help those affected by diabetes...
, Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is the United States' largest LGBT advocacy group and lobbying organization; according to the HRC, it has more than one million members and supporters...
, the Rose Brooks Center, and many more. KCRW has partnered with the Mid America Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, a United States-based non-profit organization, and its network of chapters nationwide promote research, educate, advocate on issues relating to multiple sclerosis, and organize a wide range of programs, including support for the newly diagnosed and those...
.
KCRW All Stars
The all-star squad, founded in 2005, is composed of members of the teams of the Kansas City Roller Warriors, who compete as a team at national and international bouts. The squad practices an extra 3 times a week, on top of regular team practices. In 2007, the all star squad won the Women's Flat Track Derby Association championships against the Rat City RollergirlsRat City Rollergirls
The Rat City Rollergirls are a flat-track roller derby league in Seattle, Washington. The league is composed of four member teams for intra-league play, an all-star travel team that competes with other leagues, and another travel team that plays in exhibition games with other leagues...
. The All Stars won the 2010 South Central Regional Championships and are the hosts of the WFTDA 2011 South Central Regional Tournament. The 2011 All Star team is managed by Jim Foulk and is composed of:
| Name | Number |
|---|---|
| Bruz-Her (Captain) | 244 |
| Hall Balls (Co-captain) | 30 |
| Annie Maul | 111 |
| Archie Lee | 59 |
| Bella Fire | 26 |
| Case Closed | 34 |
| Damsel of D'Tension | 44 |
| Eclipse | 0 |
| Evolution | 2012 |
| Extremley Frank | 8 |
| Ida Know Squatt | 411 |
| Jade Lightning | 816 |
| Kelley Young | 4 |
| Mash Hun | 2501 |
| Princess Slay-ya | 7 |
| Shady O'Dread | 47 |
| Toto Basketcase | 24 |
| Track Rat | 69 |
| Trauma | 5 |
| Tuff Noogies | 84 |
Plan B
Plan B is KCRW's second travel team, with members from all home teams who travel regionally. The team made its debut in 2011.Home squads
The league has four home teams. The Black-Eye Susans, the Dreadnought Dorothys, the Knockouts and the Victory Vixens. The Dreadnought Dorothys hold the KCRW home championship title for 2011, having won against the Victory Vixens in an 83-63 win.Seasons
The founding season for KCRW drew 800 attendees. In 2007 the KCRW All-Stars went to the WFTDA National Championships fighting for the title against the Rat City RollergirlsRat City Rollergirls
The Rat City Rollergirls are a flat-track roller derby league in Seattle, Washington. The league is composed of four member teams for intra-league play, an all-star travel team that competes with other leagues, and another travel team that plays in exhibition games with other leagues...
. 2007 wrapped up with approximately 2,200 attendees. KCRW completed the 2009 season 2nd place in the South Central WFTDA region. They ended the second quarter of the 2010 season in the South Central region in 3rd place. In 2011 the Dreadnought Dorothy's won the league's home team championship against the Victory Vixens. As of 2011, average bout attendance was 2,000.