Humboldt Roller Derby is a roller derby league based in Eureka, California. Founded in 2007, the league currently consists of two teams which compete against teams from other leagues.
Humboldt Roller Derby was founded in February 2007 by Jennifer McMahon, skating under the name "Jenneral Ms. Chief". Reaching out to others with community sports experience, such as John Fesler and Jerry Nutter of the Humboldt Crabs baseball organization, helped HRD to become successful. In 2009 HRD formed a community-run board of directors and in 2010 McMahon officially donated Humboldt Roller Derby to the community of Humboldt.
Jennifer McMahon also reached out to established roller derby skater Bonnie D.Stroir, who had posted a craigslist ad in the Humboldt Region seeking someone to help her establish a league for her expected move. McMahon responded to Beck and soon McMahon would travel to meet Beck and learn the details of starting a league.Helen Sanderson, "Roller derby comeback ", North Coast Journal, 18 January 2007
Humboldt played its first bout in May 2008."Humboldt Roller Derby to host first-ever bout", Times-Standard, May 21, 2008 It gradually strengthened, and by mid-2010 was able to finish fourth in a tournament hosted by Central Coast Roller Derby."Humboldt Roller Derby finish 4th at Paso Robles tournament", Ukiah Daily Journal, August 6, 2010 In April 2010, it was accepted into the Women's Flat Track Derby Association Apprentice Program,"WFTDA Apprentice Program Welcomes 13 New Leagues ", WFTDA, 8 April 2010 and it became a full member of the WFTDA in January 2012."WFTDA Adds Three New Members ", WFTDA, 10 January 2012
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