Derby in Dairyland: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Derby in Dairyland Tournament?
Oct. 10 - 12, 2008. Click here to see the bout schedule.
Where is the tournament?
The bouts will be played in Veterans Memorial Coliseum at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wisconsin.
How do I get to Madison? How do I get around once I get there?
You can fly into Madison, Milwaukee or Chicago and then get a 5% discount on an Enterprise Rent-A-Car through our partnership with the Greater Madison Convention and Visitors Bureau.
- No charge for additional drivers
- No charge for drivers 21-25 years old
- Free pick-up service available
- Receive 5% off the Best Retail Rates Nationwide
A great map of the Alliant Energy Center and surrounding area is available here: Madison Area Map
Need Simple Driving Directions?
From Chicago (South): I-90 to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18, 5 miles to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Green Bay (North): I-90 to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18, 5 miles to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Milwaukee (East): I-94 West, I-90 South to exit 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18 to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Minneapolis (West): I-90 South to exist 142A, west on Hwy. 12/18 to Rimrock Rd. exit 262
From Des Moines (South): I-80 East to I-380 North, north on Hwy. 151 to Hwy. 12/18E, exit at Rimrock Rd. exit 262
Check out Madison Metro Transit schedules here
How do I get tickets?
You can buy tickets in advance through "Brown Paper Tickets". You can also buy tickets at the door.
What kind of tickets packages do you offer?
There are three types of ticket packages so you can choose the option that works best for you.
- VIP package - includes admission to all three days of the tournament (that's 20 full-length bouts!), free transportation to the after parties, access to VIP after party areas including free or discounted food and beverages, a chance to win box seats, exclusive VIP-only merchandise, a gift bag and MORE! These packages are extremely limited and will sell out.
- Weekend pass - includes admission to all three days of the tournament (that's 20 full-length bouts!) and free admission to all of the after parties.
- Daily pass - includes admission to one day of the tournament (8 bouts on Friday, 8 bouts on Saturday or 4 bouts - including the championship - on Sunday), and free admission to that night's after parties.
Where can I stay in Madison?
Mad Rollin' Dolls has arranged for discounted hotel rooms for Derby in Dairyland.
What teams are playing in the tourney?
The 12 top ranked teams in the WFTDA Eastern Region are coming to Madison for this blowout weekend of non-stop Roller Derby.
They are:
Carolina Rollergirls
Windy City Rollers
Philly Rollergirls
Detroit Derby Girls
Charm City Roller Girls
Boston Derby Dames
Mad Rollin' Dolls
Minnesota Roller Girls
Grand Raggidy Roller Girls
Cincinnati Rollergirls
Dominion Derby Girls
Will there be any afterparties?
What? You have to ask?? Of course there will be afterparties, pub-crawls, great bands and adult beverages every night during the tournament. Come back later for details about venues and entertainment.
Should I bring my skates and outdoor wheels?
Absolutely! Madison is famous for miles and miles of fabulous paved bike, skate and pedestrian trails. One of the best of them circles Lake Monona - fifteen miles of smooth rolling - and passes just outside the door of the Sheraton Hotel and the tournament arena and takes you down town, past the fabulous Frank Lloyd Wright designed Monona Terrace, and through some of Madison's most interesting east-side neighborhoods.
What is Roller Derby anyway?
If you haven't seen a modern Roller Derby Bout, you're about to have the time of your life watching one of the fastest, most exciting, entertaining and hard hitting sport in the know universe. It's like a cross between ice hockey and NASCAR, but with cuter uniforms and better music. Here's a primer on how the game is played.
Roller Derby 101
A game is called a Bout. It consists of two thirty-minute Periods, which consist of episodes of play called Jams. They run for up to two minutes, but can be called off sooner by the Lead Jammer.
THE SKATERS:
Jammer — She is the team's scorer, identified by the star on her helmet. The jammer is typically fast, elusive, and hard to knock down.
Blocker — Like an offensive lineman - except smaller, cuter, and much better smelling - a blocker's job is to open holes in the pack for her team's jammer to skate through, while obstructing the path and closing holes in the pack for the opposing jammer.
Pivot — The pivot, identified by the stripe on her helmet, is a blocker who controls the pack and her players. She skates at the front of the pack, setting the pace and positioning herself to help her jammer break through that last block, while trying to make sure the opposing jammer isn't able to get by.THE GAME:
Play — Pivots battle at the front of the pack, while blockers mix it up just behind them. The first jammer to fight through the pack legally becomes the Lead Jammer, giving her the option of ìcalling the jamî (ending it) when it helps her team. The jammer works to lap the pack as many times as possible, scoring points for each mem ber of the opposing team she passes legally. She scores an additional point for lapping the opposing jammer.
Fouls and Penalties — Combine roller skates, fiery personalities, and competition, and a lot can go wrong. The rules are strict, and bad behavior earns skaters a trip to the penalty box.
Is this tournament family-friendly? Should I bring my kids?
We love little kids! And little kids really enjoy watching roller derby. So we're admitting children 10 and under for free when they are accompanied by an adult. We want your kids to be safe, though, so please keep them well back from the track. We also love puppies and kittens but we can't let them in. Sorry.What if I need a breather from all the hard-core derby action?
If the excitement is a bit much for you, step outside and get some fresh air or explore Madison and come right back for the action. Everyone will receive a wristband. There will be VIP and weekend wristbands, good for the entire weekend, and there will be a daily wristband for each individual day - they'll be different colors (so no sneaking in on Saturday if you got your wristband on Friday). Parking is $5 per day at the Alliant, and that includes re-entry if you leave the grounds.