The Rollers boast a strong fan base which has only increased since their move to the UIC Pavilion and it's a pretty good bet they'll be out in force for the "Uproad by the Lakeshore" on November 12-14, 2010. The host city for the WFTDA finals is determined by an application process and league member voting.
To show their appreciation to their fans, the Rollers will hold a nationwide contest to design the logo for the "Uproar". The winner will receive $100 and a pair of VIP tickets to the tournament. Details will come later.
Read more about the Windy City Rollers on their website.
The Windy City Rollers' away team, the WCR All-Stars, have enjoyed a fantastic 2009 season thus far. After walloping Portland on Oct. 17 113-73, the gals are moving on to the ultimate test: the WFTDA National Tournament.
This year's "Declaration of Derby" tournament takes place Nov. 13-15 in Philadelphia. Last year, the WCR All-Stars placed second in the nation. This year they have their eyes on the prize as they bout against some of the best leagues in the country. WCR will play the winner of the bout between the Kansas City Roller Warriors and Denver's Rocky Mountain Rollergirls. Their first game will be at 1:30pm EST on Saturday, Nov. 14.
The WCR All-Stars have been enjoying a stellar season thus far: After defeating the Charm City Roller Girls 117-98 in August, and placing first in the WFTDA regional tournament in St. Paul, the gals are officially taking no prisoners.
Catch them at full speed during their next home bout against Portland's Rose City Rollers on Saturday, Oct. 17, 7 p.m., at the UIC Pavilion (525 S. Racine). Take a look-see here for more information and tickets.
Ever wanted to see butt-kickin' roller babes (plus one movie star playing a roller babe) sing at Wrigley Field? Here's your chance: It's been announced that Drew Barrymore, one of the stars of the upcoming roller derby movie Whip It, will be singing the seventh-inning stretch at the Cubs vs. Milwaukee Brewers game on Tuesday, Sept. 15. Accompanying her will be two players from Chicago's own Windy City Rollers, Athena DeCrime and Val Capone (who also works as a vendor at Wrigley).
The Windy City Rollers' travel team, the WCR All-Stars have snagged a spot in this year's North Central Regional Brawl of America tournament, to be held Sept. 18-20 in St. Paul, Minn.
After shutting out Baltimore's Charm City Roller Girls during their August 29 bout (117-98), the All-Stars have a 6-1 record for the year. At the regional tournament, WCR will compete against nine other roller derby leagues. The winner will advance to the fourth annual WFTDA National Championship, set for Nov. 13-15 in Philadelphia.
But while the All-Stars are just getting their season started, Baltimore's Charm City Roller Girls have one of the busiest schedules in the national league--they'll have 15 bouts (for 2009) already under their belt by the time they hit Chicago. Could Charm City give our gals a run (or skate) for their money? Check it out on Saturday, Aug. 29 at the UIC Pavilion (525 S. Racine Ave) at 7p.m. Before that, the new "B" team--The Second Wind-- will play Cleveland's Burning River All-Stars in a preliminary bout starting at 5:40pm. Tickets are $20 GA and $40 VIP (track-side) seats. Check here for more details.
The Chicago Cubs aren't the only local sports commodity that are involved in a possible sale. The cultish Windy City Rollers are reportedly in negotiations to be sold to William Kelly, a local sports personality who is the host and executive producer of two shows, one airing on Comcast SportsNet and the other on Me-TV. With those connections, should the deal go through, might the Rollers have a regular TV outfit? More info can be found in the press release below:
(CHICAGO) - While the Ricketts family's $900 million winning bid to buy the Chicago Cubs has hit a temporary snag, another sports franchise is in the process of being sold. Broadcast personality and producer, William Kelly, is in negotiations to buy the nationally ranked Windy City Rollers, Chicago's all female roller derby league.
"Negotiations are very positive and continuing with Mr. Kelly," said Ruth Enasia, a media rep for the Windy City Rollers league. "We hope to have an announcement shortly."
Haven't had enough roller derby yet? The Windy City Rollers All-Stars travel team took second in the nation last year, and they're revved up for their 2009 season. The following dates have been announced. All the games take place on a Saturday, except for the tournaments.
What a year it's been for the Windy City Rollers! First a new home at the glossy UIC Pavilion, and then and a exciting, upset-filled season. After a ridiculously (and surprisingly) good year, the Manic Attackers took home the 2009 Ivy King Cup Championship on June 20, beating last year's champs, the Hell's Belles. Despite the Belles snagging a 28-point lead by the end of the first half, the close-fought game ended with Manics hauling ass and winning 137-115 -- with the lead claimed within the last few jams. It was the first championship win for the Manics, and it'll be interesting to see whether they maintain their winning streak next season.
Although the league's season is finished, WCR's travel team, the Windy City All-Stars, are just getting started. Check back later for info and schedules.
The internet magazine Cafe, geared toward the "contemporary Latino lifestyle", gives the up-close-and-personal profile treatment to Elizabeth Gomez, who might be better known by her hard-hitting handle of "Juanna Rumble", which she uses as a member of the Windy City Rollers. When she's not trading elbows and hip-checks with the likes of the Manic Attackers or Hell's Belle's, Gomez is busy raising two girls. Do the two seemingly disparate responsiblities have anything in common? "I've learned that being a mom is about the same things as training for derby, " says Gomez, "focus, dedication, determination, support and having a lot, and I mean ALOT, of fun with the people who mean most in your life. I've learned that if I have no limits on what I can accomplish then neither do my daughters. Lastly, I am so busy between a full time job and derby that I really respect and appreciate the time that I'm with my girls."
You can probably be sure that Gomez' two daughers will be rooting for mom to take someone out this Saturday when the Windy City Rollers host the 2009 Ivy King Cup Championship at the UIC Paviltion, 6 p.m. While the lineups for the matches hasn't been set yet, it's pretty certain the event will be a sellout.
The May 2 bout ended with Hell's Belles beating the Double Crossers 140-60, and the Manic Attackers pummeling The Fury 150-74. This year, the championship bout pits what used to be the league's constant underdogs, the Manic Attackers, against the '08 champions, Hell's Belles. This is gonna be a good one, folks. Be there on Saturday, June 20 at the UIC Pavilion (525 S. Racine). Doors open at 5 p.m., and the bout will kick off at 6.
If that's not enough for you, skaters from the Double Crossers and The Fury will be randomly sorted into black and white teams that will play each other in the opening bout. And you can get in on the action: WCR is holding an eBay auction for fans to bid to guest captain the white or black team for this consolation bout. Proceeds from the auction will be donated to aid Tahirah "Tequila Mockingbird" Johnson, a former Windy City Roller skater who suffered a spinal cord injury in August 2007.
Get your tickets here, at the door, or from any Windy City Roller.
The month started with slam as the Windy City Rollers played their fifth bout of the season on May 2. Hell's Belles walloped the Double Crossers 140-60, while Manic Attackers once again took down The Fury 150-74.
The next bout is a big 'un, determining which teams will go on to play in the Ivy King Cup Championship on June 20. If you haven't checked out Chicago's flat-track roller derby scene, this is the time to do it. The bout on Saturday, May 30 pits The Hell's Belles against the Manic Attackers, while The Fury will play the Double Crossers. The action starts at 6 p.m. at the UIC Pavilion, 525 S. Racine. Get your tickets at the door, or better yet, check them out here.
There may not be a casino in Chicago (yet), but there is definitely some gambling going on. The city is now on the hook for $500 million to host the Olympics, part of the state's $750 million guarantee.
The Cubs want a new spring training facility in Mesa, or else they're walking. And Cubs fans want to end 100 years of misery or...they'll be back next year.
They may have been so-so as a team last season, but as humanitarians, the Bears might belong in the Super Bowl.
Two coaches from the Chicago Force are probably glad the temperatures are going to be a bit warmer this weekend. They're getting their heads shaved for charity tomorrow. Meanwhile, the women'd pro full contact football team released their 2009 schedule.
The Windy City Rollers' home teams throw elbows in their next match this Saturday night at the UIC Pavillion.
Meanwhile, if you're up for a road trip, Chicago's other roller derby queens, The Outfit, have a bout-on-wheels near Grand Rapid, MIchigan.
Free tonight? Then head on down to the Union Park Lounge for a benefit for the Windy City Rollers. The event kicks off at 8 p.m., there'll be karaoke, a silent auction, a raffle, and drink specials. Oh, and hot derby girls who will be ever-so-appreciative of your support. Philanthropy never sounded better and boozier.
Chicago vs. Tokyo in the battle for the Olympics: Might TV have the final word? If not, maybe a mural will sway the Olympic Committee.
If the Bears actually signed everyone who reportedly has expressed an interest in playing for them, think of the team! For now, throw T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Simeon Rice on the pile.
Are the Orioles fleecing the Cubs? One blogger seems to think so.
There's a movie being made about the Cubs (and no, it's not a disaster flick) and you can be in it.
While Dewayne Wise fights for a roster spot with the White Sox, the coaching staff will be watching closely.
Meanwhile, Sox PR chief Brooks Boyer explains the Obama Effect on the team's merchandising.
Goodbye, hard bench seating. Goodbye, wall projections and zero air conditioning.
On January 31, the Windy City Rollers kicked off their 2009 season opening bout at their new venue at the UIC Pavilion. And oh, what a starter it was. First, the Pavilion is a whole 'nother beast from their previous location, the Stadium in Cicero. For years, the location served the upstart league well, but as the WCR grew, so did their fanbase. Games were selling out, and often spectators had to deal with standing-room only. The Pavilion, in contrast, is far more professional and, well, shinier. As a former WCR skater, I initially missed the pieced-together DIYness of the old days. Those thoughts were beat into submission, however, as I found vendors selling boozy smoothies and sat back to enjoy the game.
The first game slotted the Manic Attackers versus the Double Crossers. The Manics, who were previously on a two-year losing streak, got off to a strong lead right away, led by jammers Beth Amphetamine, Wreck N Shrew, and Ruth Enasia. In fact, this year's Manics are far leaner and tighter than they have been in years. Despite efforts by Double Crossers Riley Coyote and Julia Rosenwinkle (previously Lucy Furr), the first half closed at 22-60 Manics.
The second game pitted The Fury against last year's Ivy Cup league champions, the Hell's Belles. The Fury took a quick lead, but as time went on (and more skaters packed the penalty box), the Belles tied the score. The crowd enjoyed some thrilling sprints between Fury jammer Yvette YourMaker and Belle jammer Athena DeCrime, but the Belles gained the lead as the Fury lost players to the box. Their first half closed at 38-62 Hell's Belles.
The second half was no less exciting for both teams: Despite Manic Attacker Wreck N Shrew giving up a possible lead jammer status because she did a cartwheel at the starting line, the Double Crossers never could quite catch up. In the end, the shenanigans didn't matter: Manics won 120-51.
The Fury, meanwhile, fought hard to get back into the game, but thanks to Belles jammer Shocka Conduit, they never made it. The Hells Belles won 119-77.
Check out the next WCR bout on Feb. 20. Check here for more information.
First, there was Barack Obama in the White House. Now there's Pat Quinn in the State House. Politically speaking, White Sox Nation just keeps getting bigger.
Speaking of the Sox, as SoxFest kicks off this weekend, Ozzie Guillen says the team will try "small ball"... again. And will Joe Crede join former Sox teammate Juan Uribe in Frisco? His potential replacement, Josh Fields, is wasting no time just in case he does.
Detroit WR Mike Furrey...free agent QB Chris Simms (son of Phil)...Super Bowl starter Kurt Warner...all rumored to be on the Bears radar. Really?
Does Richard Dent REALLY need someone to go to the NFL Hall of Fame committee and plead his case?
This is THE weekend for the Windy City Rollers, as they make their UIC Pavilion debut.
But don't forget to show some love to the city's other roller derby queens, The Outfit, as they host a benefit party tonight.
You'd think getting punched in the face and crotch, sometimes at the same time, would be high on the pain scale for a UFC star. But for one Hammond, Ind., there's something more painful: being a Cubs fan.
Have you been cruisin' for a bruisin', but prefer to watch someone take the pummeling? Well, lucky you, the Windy City Rollers are kicking off their fifth season with a bout on Saturday, January 31. This date will mark their first regular-season event at their new venue, the UIC Pavilion.
Last year was a great one for WCR -- the Hell's Belles were the 2008 Ivy King Cup champions, and the Windy City Rollers All-Stars, the league's away team, climbed to the number two spot in the nation. The January date will pit the Manic Attackers against the Double Crossers and the Hell's Belles against The Fury -- in all, a booze 'n bruise good time.
What better way to deflower your new calendar than by writing in the date for the opening game for the Windy City Rollers 2009 season? Birthdays and anniversaries? Bah! Roller derby is where it's at!
On that note, the first bout will be on Saturday, January 31 at their new location, the UIC Pavilion. Double Crossers will play The Fury, while Manic Attackers will vie against the 2008 Ivy King Cup champions, Hell's Belles.
Well, hell. After slamming their way to the finals, the Windy City Rollers All-Stars met their match yesterday in the Northwest Knockdown national roller derby championship bout against NYC's Gotham Girls. Still, it was an exciting game ending 134-66 Gotham, placing them as the top roller derby league in the United States, followed by Windy City, and the Philly Roller Girls in third. Congratulations to all the teams that participated!
The Windy City Rollers All-Stars are advancing to the championship bouts! The gals won their game in an overtime thriller 110-97 at tonight's bout against the Texas Rollergirls. It was a ridiculously tight game, but jammer Kola Loka pulled through with a final grand slam (five points) and her super-fast nine-second laps.
The All-Stars will go head-to-head tomorrow night at 6 p.m. against NYC's Gotham Girls, who just beat the Philly Roller Girls 52-189. Gotham's currently seated #1 in the Eastern Region, so expect another nailbiter. Whoever wins this bout will be the top WFTDA roller derby team in the nation.
Check back for more updates, and tune into the Derby News Network for live podcasts and video.
Windy City has done it again: Their first game at the Northwest Knockdown national roller derby championship went extremely well, winning 157-63 versus the Rat City Rollergirls.
This leads them to bout the Texas Rollergirls tonight at 8 p.m. CST. The Texas RG are #1 in the Western Region, so this game should be tough and fast-paced. Check back for more, or hop to the Derby News Network for live video and podcast coverage.
Holy cow! The Windy City Rollers travel team, the All-Stars, have sped into the Northwest Knockdown national championships, held this weekend in Portland.
The WCR All-Stars have had an incredible year. In their first game at their new location at UIC, the All-Stars whomped the Carolina Rollerdolls 106-60. WCR is currently seeded as #2 in the Eastern Region.
Today at 3 p.m. CST the All-Stars are slotted against the Rat City All-Stars, who finished #3 at the Western Regional tournament. Whoever wins this game plays again at 8 p.m. against the Texas Rollergirls.
Check back for more updates. For more coverage, check the fabulous Derby News Network.
Not a big fan of the ultimate fighting myself (Saturday nights in Wrigleyville about 10 years ago... Been there, done that). But for those who are, this is a big weekend in UFC-land, including a weight-in and Q&A open to the fans on Friday at the Chicago Theater. The main event, of course, is Saturday at the Allstate Arena.
If you think you want to give it a shot yourself, there are tryouts on Monday. Note: There will be blood.
Not to be outdone, UFC's bastard cousin, pro wrestling, has a bunch of events lined up in the coming days as well on the local level.
USA Today is as surprised at Kyle Orton as we are.
A Chicago woman is at the center of a controversy on how marathons are timed. The recent Chicago Marathon also has a mini-controversy base on the timing system.
The Windy City Rollers crack the seal on their new home, the UIC Pavilion, with a match against the Carolina Rollergirls. Oh, and there's supposed to be free beer!
The bye-week Bears talk about their scariest Halloween costumes. Probably not as scary as their game against Atlanta, but still...
The Minnesota Vikings' Bernard Berrianexpects boos when he returns to this old stomping grounds at Soldier Field this Sunday. C'mon Bears fans, don't let him down.
If his contract doesn't discourage the White Sox from resigning him, Ken Griffey Jr.'s recent knee surgery might.
Evanston remembers one of his favorite sons, former MLB pitcher Kevin Foster.
Speaking of favorite sons, new Wolves head coach Don Granato is happy to be back home as he prepared for the team's home opener Saturday night.
Remember the Cubs' "fan" who tried to auction off his loyalty on eBay? He may have found a buyer and a kindred spirit in the Boston Red Sox.
In the battle of sports radio on Chicago (well, it's actually just a two-horse race), WSCR-AM has taken the lead.
De La Salle's Mike Shaw is being touted by ESPN as the "next big thing" in Chicago high school basketball.
Even if you're not entered in this weekend Urbanathlon, you can still go down and enjoy the party.
The Windy City Rollers are holding tryouts. If you think you have what it takes (and can come up with a clever alias like "Val Capone" or "Lucy Furr"), come to a scrimmage preview on Monday. Incidentially, the WCR All-Stars made it to the national finals in Portland, Oregon.
At one point during last night's roller derby bout, featuring the Windy City Rollers All-Stars vs. the Kansas City Warriors All-Stars travel teams, a friend leaned over to me and pointed at the score. It was only seven minutes in, and already WCR were ahead 25-9. "Uh, I thought Kansas City was supposed to be good," she said.
Well, uh, yes, as the 2007 national flat-track champions, they certainly were supposed to be. But the lead WCR stole right from the beginning only proved to be the theme of the evening, ending the bout at 155-39.
WCR, whose standings are #7 in the nation and #4 regionally, have had an excellent travel team season. Their last bout, in Denver against the Rocky Mountain Roller Girls, ended with a WCR victory 97-28.
The All-Stars have one more game, against the Carolina Rollergirls on Oct. 25. But before then, they have to show their stuff at the Eastern Regional Tournament in Madison, WI on Oct. 10-12.
The Windy City Rollers All-Stars (WCR) have enjoyed a fantastic travel-team season thus far, with a 5-2 record and standings as #3 in the Eastern Regionals and #7 in the nation. This Saturday, Sept. 20, watch them take on the Kansas City Roller Warriors All-Stars (KCRW), the #1 roller derby league in the nation, in what is sure to be a nail-biter of a bout.
The bout is also WCR's Fan Appreciation Night, and all paid ticket-holders will be entered to win tickets to WCR's first game at the UIC Pavilion (on October 25) against the Carolina Rollergirls. It all goes down at 7 p.m. at the Cicero Stadium. Check here for more info.
Thanks to all of the ups and downs, as well as the unpredictable twists of the current Chicago baseball season, well, it's enough to drive one to drink. A popular vodka company apparently knows that and will unveil new billboards to at least give fans an idea of WHAT to drink.
Effen Vodka is set to unveil new billboards on the south and north sides of the city to capitalize on the continuing (fingers crossed) good fortune of both the Cubs and White Sox. The Cubs-themed billboard will make reference to the supposed team curse, while the one located near U.S. Cellular field will simply bolster the South Side pride.
But when it comes to aligning themselves with a local sports team, the Bears would seem to be a natural fit for the Holland-based vodka company. After all, I can't count how many times I've heard someone yell, "Effen Rex Grossman" in the last couple of years.
Itchin' for a good fight? Then roll on down to the Cicero Stadium (1909 S. Laramie in Cicero) this Saturday, Aug. 16, to witness the Windy City Rollers' WCR All-Stars take on the Minnesota Rollergirls in an interleague bout guaranteed to make your head spin. At the very least, enjoy their current location in scenic Cicero before WCR makes the big move to the UIC Pavilion this fall.
It may not make it to the side of a milk carton, but the Chicago Fire fan club Section 8 is missing their banner.
Some people might have an opinion about who they are, but a new book of photos entitled "We Are Cubs Fans" seeks to define the loyalists visually. The obligatory Ronnie Woo Woo photo is included.
Speaking of the Cubs, Sports Illustrated joins the rest of the country in being amazed that they AND the White Sox are both in first place and may make the playoffs in the same season for the first time since 1906.
And speaking of the Sox, Fox Sports calls the acquisition of Carlos Quinten the steal of the century. OK, they call it the steal of the season. It just LOOKS like the steal of the century.
Tickets for the National Pro Fastpitch softball championships go on sale this Saturday at Judson Sports Complex in Elgin, home of the Chicago Bandits. The Bandits are one of the four teams who will be participating.
Now that the Blackhawks are enjoying a resurgence in popularity, new fans might want to read about one of the team's legends featured in a story from the Sports Illustrated vaults.
The Windy City Rollers are going upscale. After three years of wheeling around the track in Cicero, Chicago's hard-hitting women's roller derby team is bringing their act to a more user-friendly venue, the UIC Pavilion. Beginning October 25, the Rollers will entertain fans at the area at 525 S. Racine utilizing a new built-for-roller derby track. More info on the big move can be found on the WCR website.
The Chicago Bandits have a chance to move into first place in the NPF when they continued their four-game series against the league-leading Philadelphia Force tonight. The Bandits beat the Force 3-1 in the series opener on Wednesday.
The 2008 Aberdeen Street Dodgeball Ninjas will host their summer tournament this Saturday at Sheridan Park. If nothing else, it should provide some interesting photos.
The Chicago Cycling Club hosts a "Baseball Nostalgia Tour", which includes stops at 10 present and former ballparks and lunch at the Billy Goat Tavern.
And speaking of baseball, an all-Cubs channel? I thought we already had that...and referred to it as the local news (said the White Sox fan with the inferiority complex).
The Chicago Force take another step toward the Independent Women’s Football League title when they take on the Pittsburgh Passion in a playoff contest this Saturday, 3 p.m. The Force are also getting national exposure thanks to a segement on the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric tonight at 5:30 p.m. A related Force segment may also run on The CBS Early Show this Friday morning.
Pro beach volleyball hits North Avenue Beach this weekend. See it on television or in person.
The Chicago Bandits kick off a four-game series against the Washington Glory at Judson University in Elgin.
Championship football in Chicago? In June? Yup, when the Chicago Force take on the Detroit Demolition in an Independent Women’s Football League playoff game this Saturday, 3 p.m., at North Park University’s Holmgren Athletic Complex, 3225 W. Foster Ave. Incidentially, two members of the Force also compete in the Chicago Gems Women’s Baseball League…
…who are also involved in a playoff of sorts of its own, as they compete in the Can-Am Spirit of Sportsmanship Tournament in South Bend, Indiana, this Friday-Sunday. In addition to the Gems, women’s baseball teams from Canada and Australia, as well as elsewhere in the U.S., will compete. Meanwhile, action in the CWBL’s own league is on hold and will resume in Bedford Park, Ill. on July 12.
And speaking of Canada, the Chicago Bandits women’s fastpitch softball team (5-7) fell to the Great White North, posting a 1-3 record in their recent four-game series. The Bandits will try to do better against a southern foe, the Venezuelan National Team, in a similar four-game set beginning today (Thurday) at Bandits Stadium at Judson University in Elgin. Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano is slated to throw out the first pitch in today’s matchup and all games begin at 7:05 p.m.
Oil up those skates. The Windy City Rollers will hold tryouts this Saturday and Sunday, July 13. You need only attend one tryout. For exact time and location, contact the WCR. Also, the league will host their next All-Star Match-up on July 12 at The Stadium, 1909 S. Laramie in Cicero. This time, they take on the Tuscon Saddle Tramps.
Finally, North Avenue Beach Sports will host a one-day Dodgeball Tournament on July 12 at (where else?) North Avenue Beach. Go out and pound someone in the face with a.. I mean, go out and enjoy some fun, healthy competition. Contact NABS for details.
They may have come up short in this year's Women's Flat Track Derby Association Tournament, with a second-round loss to Philadelphia, but next year, Chicago's own Windy City Rollers should have a definite home-track advantage as hosts of the 2010 WFTDA Championship Tournament.
