The Philly Roller Girls announced on their website last Thursday, April 19, their plan to host four bouts this summer and fall at the Liacouras Center – July 14, Aug. 11, Sept. 8 and Nov. 10.

PRG co-general manager Jocelyn Jenik said in the article that the venue move from Class of 1923 Arena will allow the league the potential to host more spectators. “It’s a venue that will allow us to bring derby to more fans, which is important in a sports-minded city like Philadelphia,” she said. “The Liacouras Center is a dream venue for us.”

Students at Temple tried to start a derby organization registered through the university last Spring 2011, but were not granted Temple affiliation after Campus Recreation capped the limit on sports clubs, citing lack of funding and personnel resources.

In an April 2011 article, Director of Campus Recreation Steve Young told The Temple News that even if the cap were to be lifted, associating roller derby with Temple would be “pretty shaky.” He said an analysis of the liability, risk management and safety would be conducted.

“As a prudent administrator in an educated environment, does it make sense to give these students more support to go and do something pretty foolish?” Young told The Temple News. “Now, I’m not saying roller derby is foolish, I’m saying there’s a place for it where they do it downtown. It doesn’t have to be a Temple thing.”

The students involved still stay active in the derby world without a Temple affiliation by volunteering at local matches and holding group workouts.