News
The latest news and updates from the International Soap Box Derby.
A Message from the Board of Directors
Hello Derby Nation, As announced earlier this year, Mark Gerberich’s tenure as president and CEO of the International Soap Box Derby (the “Derby”) will conclude on February 24, 2023. Under Mark’s leadership, the Derby has returned to financial and operational...
Myers Industries Partners with Soap Box Derby
AKRON, Ohio – International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (ISBD) and Myers Industries entered a partnership that allows the Soap Box Derby to discount the price of Super Stock car kits and Super Stock car shells for the next 3-years. Myers Industries will be a major sponsor...
Soap Box Derby Racing Returns for the 2023 Season
AKRON, Ohio (Jan. 24, 2023) – The International Soap Box Derby is announcing that registrations are now available for all the organization’s community events at www.soapboxderby.org. Classic events like STEM Summer Camp, Inclusion Day, Senior Day, and more will be...
Soap Box Derby Chief Executive Gerberich Resigns
AKRON, Ohio (Jan. 16, 2023) – International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (“Soap Box Derby”) announced that Mark Gerberich has resigned as president and chief executive officer, effective Feb. 24, 2023. “The board of directors of the Soap Box Derby is grateful for Mark’s...
Ohio Designates Soap Box Derby as State’s “Official Gravity Racing Program”
AKRON, Ohio (Jan. 10, 2023) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has signed a bill that designates the Soap Box Derby as the state’s “official gravity racing program.” House Bill 423 was sponsored by Akron area House of Representatives members Bill Roemer and Bob Young and was...
Soap Box Derby Re-Elects Officers, Directors and Adds New Member
AKRON (Dec. 14, 2022) Directors of International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (ISBD) re-elected directors whose terms expired in 2022 and elected a new board member at the organization’s recent annual meeting. Board members who were re-elected to another three-year terms are:...
Former Regional Director George Rodenbaugh Has Died
George Rodenbaugh, who served as a regional director for the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby for nearly three decades, died on October 18. He was 85. George was a Philadelphia Police Department police officer for 20 years. After retiring from the police...
Soap Box Derby Hall of Famer Jack Engelke Has Died
Jack Engelke, who had a long history of volunteer efforts for local, regional and national Soap Box Derby activities, died on Monday, November 28, at his home in Naperville, Illinois, a Chicago suburb. He was 80. Jack grew up in Wisconsin, where his first involvement...
Long-Time Soap Box Derby Executive Director Tony DeLuca Dies
Retired Soap Box Derby leader Anthony C. (Tony) DeLuca died in Akron on October 11, 2022 at age 85. Following a 28-year career as a Summit County sheriff’s deputy, Tony joined the All-American Soap Box Derby as executive director in 1989. He served in that role...
New Partnership with Andymark
AKRON, OHIO ---International Soap Box Derby, Inc,. and AndyMark, Inc. have entered into an agreement to allow AndyMark to sell Soap Box Derby products to education organizations beginning immediately. Soap Box Derby headquarters in Akron will continue to support...
NEOSTEM Partners with Soap Box Derby for STEM Fair at FirstEnergy All-American World Championship
The Northeast Ohio STEM Ecosystem (NeoSTEM) is partnering with International Soap Box Derby to stage a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Fair on the grounds of Derby Downs during the 84th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby on Saturday, July 23....
Four Youth Volunteers Will Receive Soap Box Derby Service Awards
Four young volunteers of the Soap Box Derby program have been selected to receive the President’s Youth Volunteer Service Award, which recognizes volunteers under the age of 21 who have made a positive impact on the Soap Box Derby through their leadership on the...
Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame Selects Three New Members for 2022 Class of Inductees
Three long-time volunteers will be inducted into the Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame during the post-race awards ceremony for the 84th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby on the evening of Saturday, July 23. “The Soap Box Derby Hall of Fame was established in 1997, to...
State of Ohio Awards $500,000 Grant to Soap Box Derby for Capital Projects
The State of Ohio has awarded a $500,000-grant to International Soap Box Derby, Inc. (ISBD) for capital improvement projects at Derby Downs, home of the FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby World Championship in July and special racing and community events...
Soap Box Derby Champions to Be Recognized at the Statehouse
Representing more than 70 communities throughout Ohio, 136 Soap Box Derby Champions will be recognized for their accomplishments during the 11th annual Statehouse Recognition Day held in their honor in Columbus, Ohio on Wednesday, May 25. Honorees include Ohio Local...
The International Soap Box Derby® Presents 9th Annual STEM Summer Camp Program
The International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) will be hosting its 9th annual STEM Summer Program at Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio. Beginning June 6 through June 10 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. boys and girls aged 8-13 are invited to experience the excitement of building and...
Students Set to Compete in the Soap Box Derby’s Gravity Racing Challenge STEM Team Competition Presented by The University of Akron
While this week’s event will look different from previous years, 63 student teams from 15 different schools/organizations from grades three through eight will converge at the world-famous Derby Downs in Akron, Ohio, to compete for a victory in the Soap Box Derby...
Accenture partnering with the Soap Box Derby for Corporate Derby Challenge
Accenture is partnering with the International Soap Box Derby (ISBD) as the presenting sponsor of the Corporate Derby Challenge (CDC) on June 23 and 24. This event is the Soap Box Derby’s top annual fund-raiser to support the Derby’s mission. The CDC is a high-energy...