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OUR HISTORY
2006
Steel City is founded as the "Steel City Derby Demons" in 2006 by Natalie "Busty Brawler" Gilchrist, Pam "Suzy Sydal" Simmons, and Becky "Elsa Slam" Bauer.
2007
By early 2007, Steel City is ready to hold its first exhibition bout, Dawn of the Demons, on January 27th, at BladeRunners in Harmarville. SCDD is announced as a new member of the Women's Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA) in May 2007.
Between 2007 and 2008, the Demons boast multiple home teams including the Bitch Doctors, Slumber Party Slashers, Wrecking Dolls, and Hot Metal Hellions at various bouts and events such as the St. Patrick's Day Massacre and SummerSlam.
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Between bouts, the SCDD make media appearances on independent vlogs such as Tunch & Wolf as well as in-person appearances at Pittsburgh's Scarehouse.
2009
Steel Hurtin', Steel City's A-level team, makes their first appearance at WFTDA playoffs. After a loss to Philly, they win against Dominion Derby Girls and DC Rollergirls to finish the weekend in 7th place.
2010
Steel City Derby Demons hold a media day scrimmage and discuss the grassroots origins of the roller derby renaissance in the mid-2000s to early 2010s. Later that year, the Steel Hurtin' take fifth place in the Eastern Region Playoffs.
2012
Steel Hurtin' qualify for 2012 East Region Playoffs, ranking fifth under Gotham, Philly, Montreal, and Charm City. Though they lose to DC and Charm City, they defeat the Dutchland Rollers to take ninth place overall. B-Unit, Steel City's B team, plays its last game against the Black Rose Rollers, and SCDD introduces its new home teams: the Allegheny Avengers, Penn Bruisers, and the Monongahela Monsters.
2011
SDCC makes a name for itself in Pittsburgh by way of many grassroots events, such as potluck dinners, bowl-a-thons, and other awareness campaigns. By decree of the Council of the City of Pittsburgh, September 13th, 2011, is declared Steel City Derby Demons Day in the City of Pittsburgh. SDCC is formally commended for their community involvement, commitment to athleticism, and positive international representation of Pittsburgh.
2013
In February of 2013, Steel City Derby Demons rank 22nd out of 149. By December, they improved to 18th. SCDD qualify for D1 of WFTDA's new top-40 Division Playoffs and finish in 5th place. The Steel Beamers, SCDD's new B team, plays for the first time against Ohio's Gang Green. The Steel City Derby Demons formally rebrand to Steel City Roller Derby.
2016
SCRD competes in the 2016 D1 Playoffs, playing Rainy City in Columbia, South Carolina. After losses to Rainy City and Crime City, Steel City is able to take a win against Ann Arbor, finishing 9th place in the playoffs.
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Romp 'N Roll, Steel City's home rink of many years, closes. The league relocates its games and practices to Pittsburgh Indoor Sports Arena in Cheswick.
2014
Steel City Roller Derby finish in eighth place at D1 Playoffs in Evansville, Indiana.
2015
Steel City Roller Derby finish in seventh place at D1 Playoffs in Jacksonville.
2018
Steel Hurtin' return to Europe for the 2018 EuroClash tournament hosted by the Newcastle Roller Girls in Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
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At home, the Blitzburgh Bombers, SCRD's developmental, C-level team is formed to allow new skaters to work with higher-level vets to compete both at home and regionally.
2017
Steel City Roller Derby hosts the 2017 D2 Playoffs and Championships, the last D2 event in WFTDA history.
The Derby Demons make their international debut at the Anarchy in the UK tournament, hosted by London Rollergirls, where they soundly defeat London Rollergirls 119 to 79.
2020 - 2021
Like the majority of WFTDA teams across the globe, Steel City Roller Derby takes a hiatus from spring of 2020 to early winter of 2021 in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019
The Steel Hurtin' end the 2019 competitive season ranked #67 in the world.
2022
In October, SCRD hosts the Guy Fieri-themed Flavortahn Throwdahn as a part of WFTDA's Back on Track series, celebrating of the international return of roller derby. Featuring the Steel Hurtin', Detroit, Arch Rival Nemesis, and Penn Jersey, the tournament ends with Detroit taking the Flavortahn Crahn (crown).
2023
In early 2023, Steel City Roller Derby loses long-time Hurtin' skater, coach, and friend, Barbara Montgomery, also known as S'Fya, to a tough battle with breast cancer. Her memory is honored by her first team in Ohio, her teammates from Team Pennsylvania, and by dozens of skaters across the country who knew her. SCRD memorializes her legacy with a jersey retirement ceremony at their August home bout. Read more about S'Fya and her impact on the roller derby community by clicking here.
