OUR MISSION STATEMENT: Lansing Roller Derby is a skater-run, 501(c)3 nonprofit league committed to making the Greater Lansing Area an even better place to live. We strive to promote health and physical fitness, healthy competition and to provide opportunities for leadership and personal growth. Within the community we work with like-minded organizations to provide volunteers, funding and support to further their goals and our common goal of improving life in the Lansing area.
PURPOSE: We strive to build and maintain an inclusive environment and culture that promotes acceptance, respect and value in differences in age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender expression, sexual identity, ability, language, family circumstances, socioeconomic status and cultural backgrounds.
BACKGROUND: LRD was established in July of 2010 and calls the greater Lansing area home. In 2014, we overhauled our brand, culture and mission. Our new recipe for growing success is simple; devote ourselves to a culture that truly embraces a positive and empowering environment, yet simultaneously provides a robust competitive and athletic experience. We are here for each other on and off the track and we mean that. To this day, the core of our foundation is built upon this cultural concept.
The Michigan Roller Derby community has always asked why there were two teams in Lansing. In 2017, ELRD and LDV leadership sat down to answer that question. Both leagues agreed, the Greater Lansing area was too small to satisfy the need of two roller derby organizations. Over several conversations, we discussed what was important to each league and what one league could look like for the area. It ultimately took a pandemic to bring our teams together.
As of January 1, 2022, the Lansing Derby Vixens (LDV) and Lansing Junior Vixens (LJV) fully integrated into the East Lansing Roller Derby (ELRD) organization. Today we are one team, one family more representatively known as “Lansing Roller Derby”.
LEAGUE COMPOSITION & OPERATIONS: LRD consists of travel teams and home teams. Our travel teams consist of; A-level (most competitive), B-level (competitive) and C-level (growth and development). Travel teams play in bouts across the Midwest region and Canada, to compete with both WFTDA and non-WFTDA affiliated roller derby organizations. Our home teams, compete with LRD members against other LRD members and pay homage to old ELRD and LDV team names; the Mitten Mavens (Black), Broadbarians (Grey), the Derby Vixens (Green), and Capital Corruption (Purple).
LRD operates under the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association rule set and statement regarding gender. To become an LRD skater you must be 18 years or older and identify as a cisgender woman or “an individual who identifies as a trans woman, intersex woman or gender expansive if women’s flat track roller derby is the version and composition of roller derby with which they most closely identify.” You can learn more about WFTDA’s statement about gender here.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: Lansing Roller Derby acknowledges that we play on the unceeded lands of indigenous peoples. What we now call East Lansing, MI was the traditional lands of the Peoria, Anishinabewaki, Odawa, Mississauga and Sauk peoples. We thank the descendants of these tribes for being the original stewards and protectors of these lands.
“When I decided to give this a try I had no idea the amazing group of people that I was about to meet. Such a great atmosphere with awesome feedback on how we can all improve one day at a time.”
“I love the comradery and sportsmanship of ELRD. The entire team, from the coach and more experienced skaters to the newer teammates, are the most diverse and encouraging group of individuals I’ve ever met. I was uncertain about my abilities at my age, but the sense of empowerment I get from derby makes me feel alive and proud to be a part of this team.”
“This sport is about ALL body types being accepted and that everyone can be an athlete. I was always the bigger quiet girl growing up with no confidence. But once I found derby I felt like this was what I was made to do. It allows me to truly be myself and helps me grow everyday. I am no where near the same person I was when I started, I have grown so much.”
