UFH: Greg Needel

[CD47-Bot]

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Greg Needel (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/ufh.php?action=honoreedetail&id=69/).

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/ufh/image/1224111920PA150008smaller_jpg.jpg (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/ufh.php?action=honoreedetail&id=69)

[rees2001]

Congrats Greg, you have done a lot for kids you otherwise would have never known. You deserve some recognition. This is a good start.

[Rich Kressly]

Woo hoo! It's super to see someone so deserving recognized in a meaningful way. Congrats Greg.

[Josh Hambright]

Woo! Congrats Greg! You definately deserve this, glad your getting some much needed and overdue public recognition of this scale!


Ps> I still like the other picture more...

[KathieK]

Congrats, Greg!

[Dorienne]

GREG!

Yay!! I am so proud of you. You do so much for FIRST, and I am so happy to know you. Seeing your reaction when 768 won the Chairman's at Chesapeake last year was something I will never forget; it reminded me of why mentors like you are here and how much you do for all of us teachers, students, and fellow mentors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Congratulations. You deserve this!

Love, Dori

[Akash Rastogi]

Wow, thought this would have already happened to you by now.

Thanks for all of the powerpoints. We use them every year still:)

[RoboMom]

So many stories, so little time!
Greg may be an engineer by profession, but deep down he is really an extraordinary teacher.
I’ve watched him in action giving tours at DEKA, teaching students to build Vex Robots in a really short amount of time (they loved Mr. Greg!), teaching workshops and teaching other students about what FIRST is, over and over.
He has helped pull together events at the last minute. There is nothing like sitting in a parking lot at 4:30 am in freezing December, waiting to pick up a field, to create some lasting memories!
He has been an amazing announcer for the Chesapeake Regional. And it was so much fun watching him last year at the Chesapeake trying to announce Team 768 as the Chairman’s winner. (I’ve got a picture somewhere…:D )
He has made me laugh more times than I can count.
He is just a really good guy.
Congrats! You deserve this recognition.

[Branden Ghena]

Congratulations! :D

[jwfoss]

Greg, congrats on winning the UFH, you making the trip up to Clarkson this year again for the FTC/FLL competition?

[petek]

Congratulations, Greg! You're a great mentor, role model and teacher - and one of the best announcers in FIRST. I've always admired you for how you put the students' interests ahead of everything else, period.

[Libby K]

I was hoping you'd be next, Greg.

Congratulations. You deserve it. :)

[Jon236]

Kol Ha'Kavod! Well done Greg and richly deserved! Your contributions to FIRST on a global basis are recognized by all of us who have worked with you; as well as all the FIRSTers in Israel!

[Mike Schroeder]

Greg you truly are the best, this award has been a long time coming

[Koko Ed]

For some reason I thought Greg was already a UFH.
I'm actually shocked he wasn't sooner. I can't imagine FIRST without Greg.
Congrats on the honor, man.
You deserve it!

[BandChick]

For some reason I thought Greg was already a UFH.
I'm actually shocked he wasn't sooner. I can't imagine FIRST without Greg.
Congrats on the honor, man.
You deserve it!

My thoughts exactly. My brain went "Wait, he's not already a UFH?"

Congratulations, Greg!

[JohnBoucher]

Congrats Greg.

[Billfred]

For those who haven't frequented the Mid-Atlantic, Greg is the man. (I blame good parenting.) It does boggle the mind that he's just now getting this honor--congrats, Greg!

[Greg Marra]

Greg is an absolutely phenomenal member of the community and helps out in so many different ways. Well deserved, Greg! I can't wait to see what you do next.

[Leav]

I met Greg in 2006 when he was the head referee in the Israeli regional I learned a lot from him about FIRST in those 3 days and my FIRST career wouldn't be the same without them or without Greg....

Kudos to Greg!

also check out the quote in the screenshot... coincidence? I think not! :yikes:

-Leav

[Waynep]

Greg is a wealth of knowledge and will do anything to ensure other FIRSTers learn and have a good experience. He's a truly humble individual. Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition Greg.

[Jason Morrella]

For some reason I thought Greg was already a UFH.
I'm actually shocked he wasn't sooner.

I thought the same here.

Greg is quite versatile also. In addition to being such great member of the robotics community, Greg is quite the poker player and fantasy football general manager (just ask him about trading for Ronnie Brown the day before he scored 5 touchdowns...incredible). :)

Congrats Greg - very much deserved.

[JaneYoung]

Greg has the ability to seize an opportunity no matter how small or trivial seeming and make it meaningful. Example: IRI 2007, I was headed out to the car to retrieve a book for Greg and he insisted on coming along. The trip out to the car and back to the pits was filled with humor, great conversation, and fun. Greg made that happen - I would have been perfectly content to make the run alone. Of course, while peering into the trunk, Greg spied a box that could become a collector’s item and also a poster. He got more than he bargained for. That is just one small example of Greg’s ability to carve out a moment and make an impact.

Congratulations, Greg. All the best to you and the new rookie team, FRC 2775, Team DeWalt, this coming season. Tennessee is a lucky place.

[GaryVoshol]

Another person to put on my list of "FIRST'ers I must meet some day". And I concur with the sentiments already expressed. When we get people like Greg and Jenny being UFH, I think, "Unsung? Maybe only formally. We all know how much they do."

[gabrielse]

Congrats Greg. You saved the day with the Baltimore City Vex competition last year. Thanks for all that you did for Baltimore and the Lab Rats.

[BandChick]

IRI 2007, I was headed out to the car to retrieve a book for Greg and he insisted on coming along.

That book caused the "What chapter are you on now?" discussion the rest of the day.

...and I still don't know why he wanted the box. XD

[JaneYoung]

That book caused the "What chapter are you on now?" discussion the rest of the day.

...and I still don't know why he wanted the box. XD

Well .. he lost that box and I ended up giving Koko Ed a 2nd box to take to him. It seemed to be important. hahaha

[Wetzel]

Well deserved and long overdue.

[Koko Ed]

That book caused the "What chapter are you on now?" discussion the rest of the day.

...and I still don't know why he wanted the box. XD
You know he almost read that whole freakin' book all the way back home and Cynette was reading the fifth book.

[Leav]

ok now it's getting weird. It happend again so I was thinking maybe I was a bit thick earlier and that maybe the quotes are rigged to show Greg's quotes but then I refreshed and there was a quote from someone else so I guess that it's just his day all around :)

[Josh Goodman]

GRATS GREG!!! This is well deserved and I'm glad you finally got this honor. Keep up the great work in FIRST and engineering inspiriation!

[Wayne C.]

Sweeet!!!

WC :cool:

[colin340]

greg your rock man
you have always been one of my favorite firsters

you rock
good luck with your team
-giggles

[Andy Grady]

Congrats Greg!

To one of the most passionate teammates and co-announcers that I have worked with, here is to you!

-Andy

[Akash Rastogi]

I think I could see Greg winning the WFA at the Championship event in the future.

*knocks on wood*

[Robyn Needel]

What can we say but congrats Greg - but you know how we feel, we have always been proud of you and we are pleased for you to receive this well deserved honor from one of your favorite communities :-)

Mom & Dad

[Bharat Nain]

Congratulations Greg!!! It has been an honor and privilege to be your friend and work with you. Having observed you for a few years, I know you have worked hard and selflessly for the betterment of FIRST. It's been fun. Cheers.:cool:

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations Greg!!
For those of you who have not met this dynamic young man, you need to put him on your "must meet" list and very near the top. Greg is one of those people who wants everyone to have the experience he has had in First. He is out there trying to start teams, get sponsors, work new events and introduce people to this program. He is passionate about keeping First a quality place for students to come and learn and be inspired. And he is just a fun guy to talk to. I wish I had his energy. There are many people I look up to for inspiration and Greg is truly one of those. I am very proud to know him and look forward to a long friendship in First.

[Jim Zondag]

Congratulations Greg!
Well deserved and long overdue!
Keep it up!

[Andy Baker]

Congrats, Greg... this is definitely well deserved.

I'm joining many when I say that we are happy you are continuing to make a difference in the FIRST community by starting a FRC team at Black and Decker. Best of luck for Team DeWALT.

Andy

[Anne Shade]

Yay Greg!! Very much deserved. You keep the rest of us entertained and motivated at the same time. What could be better than that!

[JudyVandy]

Great, Greg!!!

You impressed the daylights out of me the first time I met you, and everything I've seen since then has continued to be extrordinary. You are truly a remarkable young man. Your parents have a myriad of reasons to be very proud of you!

[Cynette]

Congratulations, Greg!

Way to go and keep doing what you are doing! :)

[Beth Sweet]

Congratulations Greg! UFH well deserved!

[Arefin Bari]

Congratulations Greg. It's been a pleasure to know you throughout the past few years and thanks for all the help you have provided me; whether it deals with FIRST or any other matter. :)

[Hiteak]

Major congrats Greg. You really deserve it. I think you were the first person I met in FIRST.

[Kim Masi]

congrats, Greg. :)

[lynca]

Congrats Greg, I have been very impressed with your knowledge of Robotics through ChiefDelphi. I was also able to meet you in person at Maker Faire yesterday and I was really impressed with how many people you have helped throughout your experiences with robotics.

I also can't wait to see Team DeWalt at an FRC event! I think you have a great vision for starting a Rookie Team.

[Kyle Love]

As my list of mentors that I look up to lengthens....Greg has been towards the top of it for the past 5 years.

Thanks for the great designs and input in the past, and I look forward to it in the future.

Congrats!

[GoSparx]

Congrats Greg!! Waaaaay overdue!!

[Larry Lewis]

Congrats Greg! You do so much for the FIRST community. Keep it up!!!

[emmell]

Way to go Greg! Hope to see you at the Tennessee FTC tournament this year.

Mannie

[Greg Needel]

I would like to thank you all for your kind words. I know that I have done alot of things in FIRST but most of them are with a supreme amount of help. Without turning this into a cheesy award speech I have to thank some people.

I would like to thank many of the mentors I have had through out the years who have helped me to get where I am both in life and in FIRST. I owe you all so much.

To all the friends that I have made in FIRST we have had some good and rough times together but you enrich the experience for me and I wouldn't trade our history and friendships for anything.

Most of all I want to thank my parents for being enablers. Ever since I was a little kid they never stood in my way for various activities I wanted to do. No matter if it was doing extreme sports, youth group or building robots there were always there supporting and encouraging me each step of the way. I really feel like this award is a testament to the way I was raised.

I hope that everyone who reads this thanks their mentors and parents who have made a difference in your life. Nominate them for an UFH or a WFFA or even just give them a hug and say thanks. It will mean more to them then you can even imagine.

Thanks again,

Greg Needel

[kahna]

Congrats Greg!

Such a much deserved Honor for a true FIRST Hero!
Words can't convey how much Greg's efforts are appreciated.

->Karen

(Late to the party as usual)

[Ellery]

Hey Greg - A BIG Congratulations to a well deserved passionate FIRST-aholic! I've known Greg for some time now and he's always been motivated and inspiring to me. We've gone through some interesting times in and out of FIRST. I still think one of the best times was building a BattleBot out of his basement room (ever try welding on top of a washing machine?) and then spending a night sleeping on the concrete floor at the X-CATS site trying to fix the bot after it's flipper & busted 2.5" Bore Pneumatic cylinder flew 20 feet across the arena in one of our matches. {I'm sure Mr. Baker & Mr.Mark remember that interesting moment too.}
But either way - I was pleasantly surprised since this was my first time logging back in to CD after a 2 year Grad school hiatus- (3 more weeks and counting...), that I saw Gregs Photo on the UFH. I knew I had logged in tonight for a special reason and this was definitely it!

Once more, congratulations to a passionate enthusiast, an innovative thinker, and most of all my friend.

Keep up the great work no matter where you are I'm sure we'll chill soon!

Ellery

[MOE]

HELLOOoooo from the North East:D
Yep its me OLD MOE a job very well done. We had a great time last year in MD with you......thankx again. Don't forget to keep your sox on;) HA HA ... Take care we are of to VA this next week, TJ2 have never gone to this one I think we will be able to get this one going LOUD as only TEAM 88 can do. Hope to see ya this year maybe in GA?????
MOE and Team 88 TJ2 oh yeah ???? OH YEAH !!!! TYE DYE for ever!!!!!!
:yikes: