|
|
|
|
Derby History
Roller Derby was created in 1935 by Leo Seltzer, a Chicago promoter looking to drum up business for the Chicago Coliseum. Roller Derby is one of only two sports to be created from scratch by an American (the other is basketball). At its zenith in the early 1970s, roller Roller Derby was played to sold-out crowds at stadiums across the U.S. including the Oakland Coliseum, White Sox Park and Madison Square Garden.
The sport still resembles its old-school roots, only now, there's a new punk-rock edge. Modern-day bouts feature two teams with no more than five players on the track at one time: one Jammer (star helmet), one Pivot (striped helmet) and three Blockers. During a "jam," the blockers form a pack with the Pivots in front and the Jammers behind. When the whistle blows, each team's Jammer skates fast and furiously to break through the pack and complete a lap. For every opponent they pass after that, their team scores a point. No frills...just high-speed thrills.
|
|
