Back in the days of Vine (R.I.P.), The Derby Cats got their start in the fall of 2012, establishing the first collegiate roller derby league in the US. The Cats were founded by Samantha Campas (Carnage Asada) who held the title of club president. The team was captained by Hellfire Heidi, co-captained by Korean Jesus, and coached by Courtney Shove through the spring of 2014. For fall of 2015 Lana Del Slay was elected as president of the club with Captain Coco Pow and co-captain Glen Coco. Ben Johnson (Frankenskate) took over as coach at this point. In 2018, Jo Sebring (Jo Mama) became coach and president of the Cats, and the team officially became an Associated Students of the University of Arizona club. Soon after, Tucson Roller Derby Skater Teia DeWeir (Weirdo) coached the team while Jo Mama continued to captain the team.

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After practicing via video calls during the pandemic, the team returned to the track lead by BadkneeMcGee, Killer Bee, Bone Rivers, and Ruth Bader Shins-Burg.