View Full Version : [FRC Blog] 2015 Events are Being Posted!
Posted on the FRC Blog (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog), 6/25/14: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/blog-2015-events-are-being-posted
2015 Events are Being Posted!
Blog Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 - 17:58
Event Dates
Check it out: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events
We’ve just started posting event dates and locations for which we have confirmed information. ‘Confirmed’ means either that FIRST HQ has a signed agreement with the venue, or that District organizers have passed along to us firm information on their events. Please keep in mind that even though we may have signed contracts with the venues, things still can change! It’s very unlikely, but still possible. We have a few more event dates and locations ready to post, we’ll be getting those up shortly.
Events will be posted not later than a week or so after the information is confirmed.
More Dates
We’ve also recently posted some other important dates for the upcoming season. You can see them here: http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/calendar/list This list will continue to grow also.
Another FRC Season is in the air! I’m getting really excited!
Frank
Greater Toronto Central Regional!
I guess we're up to 6 Ontario regionals now.
Either those are typos on the website, or events are now 4 days instead of 3?
Michael Hill
25-06-2014, 19:28
Either those are typos on the website, or events are now 4 days instead of 3?
It looks like they may be counting load in day (Wednesday) as part of it.
jvriezen
25-06-2014, 21:37
It looks like they may be counting load in day (Wednesday) as part of it.
From FIRST's point of view the events are four days, day 0 is field build and pit setup, etc. They have to have the venue reserved!
Billfred
25-06-2014, 21:45
Welp, guess we can book our rooms for Palmetto now! :D
XaulZan11
25-06-2014, 23:56
Greater Toronto Central Regional!
I guess we're up to 6 Ontario regionals now.
Looks like the new regional as capacity for 32 teams. Is there a reason the Ontario regionals are seem to be typically smaller than other regionals?
Aren Siekmeier
26-06-2014, 01:28
Looks like the new regional as capacity for 32 teams. Is there a reason the Ontario regionals are seem to be typically smaller than other regionals?
Regionals usually start with a low cap and raise it later in the registration timetable, to reserve spots for rookies, local teams, etc. This cap will likely go up at a later date.
GTR West last year (2014) was only 30 teams, and was hosted at Crescent High School, where 610 originates. It's possible that the venue for GTR Central is also smallish, and they only plan to invite 30-40 teams.
As Ontario continues to develop their infrastructure (fields, volunteers, etc.) I could see that they are gradually moving towards something like a district system, with more, smaller events hosted in venues which aren't quite as fancy as expensive, and which keep the competition pool small and each team's match count high. Even if they aren't officially a district, they can still get some of benefits while slowing building towards the transition. But someone from FIRST Canada would have to say more about this, if it's even anywhere close to the truth at all. Merely speculation on my part.
waialua359
26-06-2014, 02:28
5 years ago, we would never have gotten to see which events were secured early on.
I'm glad FIRST is doing this. It sure helps teams that travel outside their area, plan a lot earlier. Fundraising when the school year starts makes more sense than waiting until September/October to decide where to go.
Regionals usually start with a low cap and raise it later in the registration timetable, to reserve spots for rookies, local teams, etc. This cap will likely go up at a later date.
GTR West last year (2014) was only 30 teams, and was hosted at Crescent High School, where 610 originates. It's possible that the venue for GTR Central is also smallish, and they only plan to invite 30-40 teams.
As Ontario continues to develop their infrastructure (fields, volunteers, etc.) I could see that they are gradually moving towards something like a district system, with more, smaller events hosted in venues which aren't quite as fancy as expensive, and which keep the competition pool small and each team's match count high. Even if they aren't officially a district, they can still get some of benefits while slowing building towards the transition. But someone from FIRST Canada would have to say more about this, if it's even anywhere close to the truth at all. Merely speculation on my part.
I'm pretty curious about how this event will work. The venue, listed as Mattamy Athletic Centre, has a basketball court with seating for 1000 on the second floor and a hockey rink with seating for 2500 on the third floor. Their website has pictures showing the ice rink covered and in use for other events. There's a lot of space on the fourth floor, which circles the rink.The venue also has Google Streetview of some of the interior, but I don't see any large ramps or a way to move robots between floors other than the elevators. Load-in might be fun if you're limited to what would fit in a standard elevator (unless I'm missing a freight elevator or some large ramps). I'm concerned about queuing involving moving between floors, assuming that the pits are in the basketball court and the field is over the hockey rink or vice versa.
Also, one side-effect of smaller Canadian Regionals is that a higher percentage of Ontario teams make it to the Championship than in other regions. If they switched to districts they might actually lose spots. Last year Ontario had 115 teams and 5 Regionals, giving them a maximum of 30 unique spots at CMP, which comes out to 26% of Ontario teams. Just under 15% of all teams made it to CMP last year. I can't think of any way that that over-representation would cause any problems, especially given that CMP is growing for next year. Then again, if 26% of all teams went last year, there would have been 704 to deal with.
Billfred
26-06-2014, 03:47
Regionals usually start with a low cap and raise it later in the registration timetable, to reserve spots for rookies, local teams, etc. This cap will likely go up at a later date.
This. Palmetto is listed with capacity at 54; last year, we had 67 (http://frclinks.com/e/scmb/2014).
(Now, would I mind if it really was 54? Not at all--the 60-some-team events are just a little too big for my taste. But I had to provide a data point.)
Good I can start planning my 2015 tour early.
Jonathan Norris
26-06-2014, 09:25
I'm pretty curious about how this event will work. The venue, listed as Mattamy Athletic Centre, has a basketball court with seating for 1000 on the second floor and a hockey rink with seating for 2500 on the third floor. Their website has pictures showing the ice rink covered and in use for other events. There's a lot of space on the fourth floor, which circles the rink.The venue also has Google Streetview of some of the interior, but I don't see any large ramps or a way to move robots between floors other than the elevators. Load-in might be fun if you're limited to what would fit in a standard elevator (unless I'm missing a freight elevator or some large ramps). I'm concerned about queuing involving moving between floors, assuming that the pits are in the basketball court and the field is over the hockey rink or vice versa.
I have no insight into how this regional will run, I'm sure there are elevators between the floors. I'm just really excited by the location, right in the heart of downtown Toronto, the 'Mattamy Athletic Centre' is actually the converted old Maple Leaf Gardens, holding a regional at the Gardens is going to be amazing (maybe we can put up some new banners :)). Congrats to FIRST Robotics Canada for getting access to this great space!
TikiTech
26-06-2014, 21:21
5 years ago, we would never have gotten to see which events were secured early on.
I'm glad FIRST is doing this. It sure helps teams that travel outside their area, plan a lot earlier. Fundraising when the school year starts makes more sense than waiting until September/October to decide where to go.
^^^ THIS ^^^
Great to hear this. Planning travel early will really help keep our costs down for sure!!
Looking forward to, hopefully, doing some beta testing this summer.
Aloha!
Two more events have been posted:
Lake Superior - Week 1
Northern Lights - Week 1
Aren Siekmeier
03-07-2014, 16:05
Lake Superior - Week 1
Northern Lights - Week 1
Hey, that's new.
MARS_James
03-07-2014, 17:03
Lake Superior - Week 1
Northern Lights - Week 1
Any guesses on why they moved from week 2 to week 1?
People are suggesting this GTR Central is a sixth Ontario regional. It may very well be, but I've not seen anything to suggest that it isn't simply a renaming of GTR West, which was somewhat of a misnomer in 2014 based on its location East of Yonge.
Anybody seen any evidence yet that there will be GTR East (Oshawa) West (Mississauga somewhere?) and Central (Mattamy Athletic Center [formerly Maple Leaf Gardens])?
Aren Siekmeier
03-07-2014, 17:49
Any guesses on why they moved from week 2 to week 1?
Just a guess: I've heard rumors of adding another event in Minnesota, and maybe this makes the schedule nicer.
Seems more likely it was just when the venue was available (it's a really nice venue).
ice.berg
04-07-2014, 10:00
Just a guess: I've heard rumors of adding another event in Minnesota, and maybe this makes the schedule nicer.
Seems more likely it was just when the venue was available (it's a really nice venue).
From my understanding they had a scheduling conflict at the DECC arena. Which is probably hockey related or some other big convention.
One more event has been posted:
Dallas Regional - Week 1
One more event has been posted:
Dallas Regional - Week 1
OMG!!! So many powerhouse teams playing at a week 1!! I'm am willing to place the bet that so many game stratgies and do's and don't will be found out from this event! I'm so ready!
OMG!!! So many powerhouse teams playing at a week 1!! I'm am willing to place the bet that so many game stratgies and do's and don't will be found out from this event! I'm so ready!
But many teams hate week one events with a passion.
But many teams hate week one events with a passion.
Hey one teams hate is another teams trip to worlds! But in all seriousness if the all the power house teams that signed up for dallas last year sign up again it going to be an interesting ride. Regardless team 2950 will sign up for dallas again.
Michael Hill
27-07-2014, 08:09
But many teams hate week one events with a passion.
Last year, we purposely chose a week 1 event to light a fire under our buts and get a robot built. Turns out, it worked really well. I. Don't think we had ever bagged a complete robot before this year. There was something we always had to take in our allowance.
Jon Stratis
27-07-2014, 09:30
Just a guess: I've heard rumors of adding another event in Minnesota, and maybe this makes the schedule nicer.
Seems more likely it was just when the venue was available (it's a really nice venue).
I can guarantee there won't be a 5th regional in Minnesota this year. We all want one (especially with space at our current regionals getting to be so tight), but we don't have everything in place for one yet.
PayneTrain
27-07-2014, 10:38
I know there are a number of venues that already have had contracts on them for months, but it's weird the dates for them have not popped up. Is there some sort of vetting process RPCs have to go through with HQ to get them on the schedule?
According to the FIRST Calendar (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/calendar/registration-first-district-regional-event-registration-opens-2015) by September 25th we'll all know what events are when because that's when initial registration opens up.
Nick1912
27-07-2014, 23:05
Bayou still hasn't been added to the list official list, but the venue has been booked and the regional director has told us it will be March 19-21, 2015 at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, Louisiana. This makes it a week 4 regional.
Kevin Pardus
28-07-2014, 11:16
Old habits die hard - here are four events that seem to be firmly locked in and have been posted for several weeks or longer on various venue event calendars or sponsoring organizations' websites:
VA Regional: week 4 / 19-21 Mar 15, Siegel Center @ Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
NC Regional: week 4 / 19-21 Mar 15, Dorton Arena @ NC Fairgrounds, Raleigh, NC
SBPLI Long Island Regional: week 5 / 26-28 Mar 15, David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex @ Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY
FRC Championship: 22-25 Apr 15, America's Center Complex, St Louis, MO
MechEng83
28-07-2014, 12:08
More events have appeared today. Looks like it's the time of year when we get most venues confirmed.
http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events
Kingland093
28-07-2014, 15:44
I can guarantee there won't be a 5th regional in Minnesota this year. We all want one (especially with space at our current regionals getting to be so tight), but we don't have everything in place for one yet.
Any ideas as to when? Or where?
Jon Stratis
28-07-2014, 17:21
I could certainly repeat all of the various rumors I've heard (seriously... if you believe all the rumors, the 5th event started last year and is happening in 6 different locations simultaneously!), but that doesn't get us anywhere. Needless to say, though, the Regional Planning Committee is well aware of the desire and need for another regional as MN continues to grow! There are, of course, always difficulties in this sort of thing... Finding an accessible location for a sufficiently large number of teams (travel access and hotel accommodations), scheduling a venue, finding sponsors for the event, supporting it with volunteers, etc... it's no small task to start a new event somewhere!
Michael Hill
28-07-2014, 20:11
Judging from the Avanti's Dome calendar of events, Central Illinois could only be either week 1 or week 7...assuming it's the same venue. For reference, it was a week 1 rookie regional last year.
http://www.avantisdome.com/index.php?option=com_rsevents&view=calendar&Itemid=489
One more addition to the list:
Virginia Regional - Week 4
cadandcookies
30-07-2014, 01:38
the 5th event started last year and is happening in 6 different locations simultaneously
That sounds like a very interesting event to attend. Eagerly awaiting news on the new teleportation technology from DEKA that will make this possible.
Alan Anderson
30-07-2014, 10:38
the 5th event started last year and is happening in 6 different locations simultaneously
That sounds like a very interesting event to attend. Eagerly awaiting news on the new teleportation technology from DEKA that will make this possible.
Don't get too excited. It's probably just telepresence. Six locations, six robots -- coincidence? Not likely. Each robot will be on its own field, with five "virtual robots" representing the actions of the robots on the other five fields.
Michael Hill
30-07-2014, 14:48
Don't get too excited. It's probably just telepresence. Six locations, six robots -- coincidence? Not likely. Each robot will be on its own field, with five "virtual robots" representing the actions of the robots on the other five fields.
In order to get kids ready for the "real engineering world", all competitions will now be done via teleconference.
Andrew Schreiber
30-07-2014, 14:50
In order to get kids ready for the "real engineering world", all competitions will now be done via teleconference.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ
Zebra_Fact_Man
30-07-2014, 16:19
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ
Funny, but is this actually everyone else's experience with video-conferencing?
This past build season, there was an unprecedented amount of snow days during Week 1 that forced my team to do much of our design on google hangout, and our only real problem ended up being a couple of distractions, such as when one of the student's doge made a few guest appearances onscreen.
I'm a big fan of this post early stuff. The more time to plan the better.
Funny, but is this actually everyone else's experience with video-conferencing?
This past build season, there was an unprecedented amount of snow days during Week 1 that forced my team to do much of our design on google hangout, and our only real problem ended up being a couple of distractions, such as when one of the student's doge made a few guest appearances onscreen.
I'm a big fan of this post early stuff. The more time to plan the better.
Its more making fun of phone conferencing (no video except screen sharing presentations), and from my limited experience, it's pretty accurate.
Andrew Schreiber
30-07-2014, 16:30
Funny, but is this actually everyone else's experience with video-conferencing?
This past build season, there was an unprecedented amount of snow days during Week 1 that forced my team to do much of our design on google hangout, and our only real problem ended up being a couple of distractions, such as when one of the student's doge made a few guest appearances onscreen.
I'm a big fan of this post early stuff. The more time to plan the better.
For personal use? No. My experience has been quite positive. Google Hangout/Skype are good tools.
For business use? Yes. The first 15 minutes of every meeting is spent debugging Lync. I've had it crash at least 3 times today (in 2 meetings). There was even a long period in which Lync refused to log in (this was about 2 months) and IT couldn't do much about it.
cadandcookies
30-07-2014, 18:07
Don't get too excited. It's probably just telepresence. Six locations, six robots -- coincidence? Not likely. Each robot will be on its own field, with five "virtual robots" representing the actions of the robots on the other five fields.
Is this the new inter-district competition system we've been waiting for?
Michael Hill
30-07-2014, 18:10
Is this the new inter-district competition system we've been waiting for?
you mean....regionals? :p
AllenGregoryIV
30-07-2014, 18:27
From the San Antonio Convention Center Website, Alamo is scheduled for Week 3.
http://www.sahbgcc.com/default.asp?sanantonio=15
GaryVoshol
30-07-2014, 18:28
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYu_bGbZiiQ
"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Andrew Schreiber again."
Hilarious - it reminded me of a call today at work. But they missed the pleas, "Would everyone not talking please put their phones on mute?"
2 new additions today:
Utah Regional - Week 3
Greater DC Regional - Week 5
Wisconsin posted as Week 4. Looks like a new venue.
orangemoore
07-08-2014, 10:46
Wisconsin posted as Week 4. Looks like a new venue.
The event is now much smaller. It has 15 less slots than last year.
I wonder what this and Indiana going to districts will do to the Midwestern Regionals this year.
Wisconsin posted as Week 4. Looks like a new venue.
New additions for today:
Greater Pittsburgh - Week 2
New York City - Week 3
Wisconsin - Week 4
Laaba 80
07-08-2014, 10:49
Wisconsin posted as Week 4. Looks like a new venue.
It's not a new venue, the arena was renamed.
Aren Siekmeier
07-08-2014, 11:02
The event is now much smaller than the Midwest regional. It has 15 less slots than last year.
I wonder what this and Indiana going to districts will do to the Midwestern Regionals this year.
Since it is the same venue (with a new name), I'm sure they will end up booking the same number as last year.
Regionals usually start with a low cap and raise it later in the registration timetable, to reserve spots for rookies, local teams, etc. This cap will likely go up at a later date.
This. Palmetto is listed with capacity at 54; last year, we had 67 (http://frclinks.com/e/scmb/2014).
nicholsjj
07-08-2014, 11:10
The event is now much smaller. It has 15 less slots than last year.
I wonder what this and Indiana going to districts will do to the Midwestern Regionals this year.
It's not necessarily smaller as many events have a lower initial capacity for initial registration in order for the event to be able to include as many rookies and local teams as possible before teams that travel sign up for a second regional. My guess is that the Midwest regional will be fine as it only had 3 Indiana teams sign up for it.
Edit: compwiztobe beat me to it.
Then again, WI was full to the brim last year, and even had 40 teams submit for Chairman's. The judges were judging presentations straight from 8am to 5pm Friday and 8am to lunch Saturday. Maybe they are aiming for a lower number of max teams.
Guess we'll all see in time :)
Then again, WI was full to the brim last year, and even had 40 teams submit for Chairman's. The judges were judging presentations straight from 8am to 5pm Friday and 8am to lunch Saturday. Maybe they are aiming for a lower number of max teams.
Guess we'll all see in time :)
I wonder if the amount of teams that submitted for Chairman's there last year was related to the fact you could present at as many regionals as you attended. I know if I was at team attending multiple regionals I'd present at every event as it's good practice even if you are not entirely ready.
2 new additions today:
Utah Regional - Week 3
Greater DC Regional - Week 5
Well, that's nice and late for Greater DC. I'll take it.
Hopefully they fix the sight lines problem this year. Other than that, I thought it worked out great last year.
I wonder if the amount of teams that submitted for Chairman's there last year was related to the fact you could present at as many regionals as you attended. I know if I was at team attending multiple regionals I'd present at every event as it's good practice even if you are not entirely ready.
Oh, for sure -- however from the data we collected after the season (which is not all, I know), no other regional even hit 30 submissions:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1aE0kz6nhmhXEqm1JLht-u95DEcs-V1_lRWoHEqVgs5Y/edit#gid=0
Percentage-wise there were competitions with more submissions, but when we are talking 15 min set aside per team, 10 more teams is 2.5 more judging-hours.
Well, that's nice and late for Greater DC. I'll take it.
Hopefully they fix the sight lines problem this year. Other than that, I thought it worked out great last year.
It has certainly been noted and I believe a solution has been worked out.
Wetzel
Two more have been posted in the last few hours:
Orlando - Week 3
Hawaii - Week 5
thatprogrammer
07-08-2014, 15:56
Hoping we get some info on the South Florida Regional soon, there were some concerns about it this year at the south florida frc meeting. :]
AlexD744
07-08-2014, 16:24
Hoping we get some info on the South Florida Regional soon, there were some concerns about it this year at the south florida frc meeting. :]
According to their facebook page, week 1 and week 6 are both being considered, if you have a preference either way you should go and comment.
Mastonevich
07-08-2014, 16:30
Appears Greater Kansas City may be 3/11 - 3/14.
http://www.kcfirst.org/events
According to their facebook page, week 1 and week 6 are both being considered, if you have a preference either way you should go and comment.
Having SFR week 1 would stink in one aspect, but would also make it very interesting for teams that are able to spend a minimum amount of money for both SFR and Orlando; making them able to attend a later regional as well.
It has certainly been noted and I believe a solution has been worked out.
Wetzel
Good to hear!
thatprogrammer
07-08-2014, 18:19
Having SFR week 1 would stink in one aspect, but would also make it very interesting for teams that are able to spend a minimum amount of money for both SFR and Orlando; making them able to attend a later regional as well.
Yeah, it would make going to the three closest regional events to us *and most teams that attend Orlando/SFR* quite easy. Go SFR, take a break/improve parts, go to Orlando, same thing, go to Peach Tree or any other late regional. Peach tree just happens to be the closest non Florida regional, making it easier for less wealthy teams to make it there :)
PayneTrain
07-08-2014, 18:20
Yeah, it would make going to the three closest regional events to us *and most teams that attend Orlando/SFR* quite easy. Go SFR, take a break/improve parts, go to Orlando, same thing, go to Peach Tree or any other late regional. Peach tree just happens to be the closest non Florida regional, making it easier for less wealthy teams to make it there :)
There are also rumors of a regional event in southern Georgia, as I know a friend of a friend who's mentor's brother's uncle is apparently on the secret RPC.
thatprogrammer
07-08-2014, 18:29
There are also rumors of a regional event in southern Georgia, as I know a friend of a friend who's mentor's brother's uncle is apparently on the secret RPC.
Interesting, first I've heard of that. Though, I prefer confirmed facts to rumors :P. IF sfr is a week six regional, going to all three would still be possible, but would be more like, Orlando, break, Peachtree, SFR, giving us less time to rest and less time to work on parts/strategies.
Aren Siekmeier
07-08-2014, 18:34
Interesting, first I've heard of that. Though, I prefer confirmed facts to rumors :P. IF sfr is a week six regional, going to all three would still be possible, but would be more like, Orlando, break, Peachtree, SFR, giving us less time to rest and less time to work on parts/strategies.
Week 1 for the win! We get to break stuff first :yikes: (including stuff that's not ours!)
Three new ones today:
Central Valley - Week 2
Greater Kansas City - Week 3
North Carolina - Week 4
Anupam Goli
12-08-2014, 18:43
Interesting, first I've heard of that. Though, I prefer confirmed facts to rumors :P. IF sfr is a week six regional, going to all three would still be possible, but would be more like, Orlando, break, Peachtree, SFR, giving us less time to rest and less time to work on parts/strategies.
It's not just rumors, two member of the RPC I've spoken to said the plan is to have another georgia regional. I think the contract for the venue is being worked out still.
cadandcookies
12-08-2014, 19:35
It's not just rumors, two member of the RPC I've spoken to said the plan is to have another georgia regional. I think the contract for the venue is being worked out still.
It's always rumors until it's official :P
waialua359
13-08-2014, 02:48
Appears Greater Kansas City may be 3/11 - 3/14.
http://www.kcfirst.org/events
This is an interesting event we would consider if Australia falls through.
Mastonevich
13-08-2014, 11:32
I think I would rather go to Australia. :D
We would love to host a HOF team in Kansas City. I bet we could even find you some BBQ.
This is an interesting event we would consider if Australia falls through.
Greater Kansas City has always been a great and memorable event since it's creation in 2007. Last year it changed locations to Metropolitan Community College. Plus, and someone please correct me if I'm wrong and this was discontinued with the venue change, they do a pancake breakfast one morning with Chris Cakes whose owner Steve Hamilton formerly held the Guinness Book of World Records record for flipping the most pancakes in 1 hour (956 if you were curious). As I just discovered his record was broken last year.
I was unable to attend last year due to moving out of the area so I'm unsure of how the new venue is set up. That being said, the RPC and the KC STEM Alliance who house KC FIRST are absolutely wonderful in making great events. Although I might be a bit biased as I worked closely with both organizations as a volunteer before I moved.
Ivan Helmrich
13-08-2014, 15:59
I'm pretty sure there was a pancake breakfast at GKCR. I remember being there. I don't remember much else about it, it was very early in the morning.
Ivan
MrTechCenter
13-08-2014, 16:09
This is an interesting event we would consider if Australia falls through.
359 should try to come to California this year, as it's the last year of regionals in California. There's going to be 7 this year, so plenty to choose from, and each one offers a unique experience.
Andrew Lawrence
13-08-2014, 16:37
359 should try to come to California this year, as it's the last year of regionals in California. There's going to be 7 this year, so plenty to choose from, and each one offers a unique experience.
Glenn, we would love to have you all out here at the Central Valley Regional to join our party of an event. ;)
waialua359
13-08-2014, 17:19
Glenn, we would love to have you all out here at the Central Valley Regional to join our party of an event. ;)
If Australia falls through, CVR and IE are 2 must do events on our to do list of regionals to experience.:)
waialua359
13-08-2014, 17:20
359 should try to come to California this year, as it's the last year of regionals in California. There's going to be 7 this year, so plenty to choose from, and each one offers a unique experience.
Actually, you never know....we were involved at least in part, of the discussions to allow Hawaii teams to join in on the California district system.:rolleyes:
MrTechCenter
13-08-2014, 17:30
Actually, you never know....we were involved at least in part, of the discussions to allow Hawaii teams to join in on the California district system.:rolleyes:
Shhhh, let's not feed the rumor trolls!
Michael Corsetto
13-08-2014, 19:12
359 should try to come to California this year, as it's the last year of regionals in California. There's going to be 7 this year, so plenty to choose from, and each one offers a unique experience.
CA is going to Districts in 2016? Source?
-Mike
Joe Ross
13-08-2014, 19:39
CA is going to Districts in 2016? Source?
CA has been 2 years away from districts since 2010.
AdamHeard
13-08-2014, 19:42
CA has been 2 years away from districts since 2010.
Really? I've heard 1 year away since 2009! ;)
MrTechCenter
13-08-2014, 20:58
CA is going to Districts in 2016? Source?
-Mike
I believe that Jim Beck stated during the opening ceremonies on the Saturday of the Silicon Valley Regional that there would be 7 regionals in California for 2015 (the new one being in Ventura), and beginning in 2016, California would switch to a "qualifier" system. He didn't want to call it a district system, but it seems that would be the case.
Andrew Lawrence
13-08-2014, 21:25
I believe that Jim Beck stated during the opening ceremonies on the Saturday of the Silicon Valley Regional that there would be 7 regionals in California for 2015 (the new one being in Ventura), and beginning in 2016, California would switch to a "qualifier" system. He didn't want to call it a district system, but it seems that would be the case.
Ah yes, the "California System", as some may wish to call it. It's like districts, but it isn't, whatever that means. ;)
I believe that Jim Beck stated during the opening ceremonies on the Saturday of the Silicon Valley Regional that there would be 7 regionals in California for 2015 (the new one being in Ventura), and beginning in 2016, California would switch to a "qualifier" system. He didn't want to call it a district system, but it seems that would be the case.
The likelihood of FIRST approving something other than the current District System is extremely slim. FIRST had the Michigan and MAR models and then created the current District and Unified Points System based on those experiences and input from the PNW, NE District organizers and other interested parties. The only potential significant change might be allowing inter-district play for the 2015 season.
Note Indiana is piloting a mini-district model but the only real difference is the number of teams in the district.
It's not just rumors, two member of the RPC I've spoken to said the plan is to have another georgia regional. I think the contract for the venue is being worked out still.
How likely is this regional going to happen? And would it be more metro, macon, or south? If it were to happen that would be amazing.
AdamHeard
14-08-2014, 00:10
The likelihood of FIRST approving something other than the current District System is extremely slim. FIRST had the Michigan and MAR models and then created the current District and Unified Points System based on those experiences and input from the PNW, NE District organizers and other interested parties. The only potential significant change might be allowing inter-district play for the 2015 season.
Note Indiana is piloting a mini-district model but the only real difference is the number of teams in the district.
It'd be the district system, he's just trying to brand it as a different name for some reason.
PayneTrain
14-08-2014, 08:55
CA has been 2 years away from districts since 2010.
In Virginia we add a year for every time someone mentions it.
#disrtictsin2076
Kevin Pardus
15-08-2014, 23:01
Just a quick observation comparing last season and this season on event postings:
Early release of the 2014 events dates was begun on 14 Aug 2013 with a very comprehensive list of both Regional and District events (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118446).
Early release of the 2015 events dates began on 25 Jun 2014. As of 15 Aug 2014, dates are posted for only 20 Regional events.
Postings for this season started out seven weeks earlier than last season, but the posting this season have been painfully slow. Last season at this time, we knew four times as much as we do this season.
PayneTrain
15-08-2014, 23:10
Just a quick observation comparing last season and this season on event postings:
Early release of the 2014 events dates was begun on 14 Aug 2013 with a very comprehensive list of both Regional and District events (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118446).
Early release of the 2015 events dates began on 25 Jun 2014. As of 15 Aug 2014, dates are posted for only 20 Regional events.
Postings for this season started out seven weeks earlier than last season, but the posting this season have been painfully slow. Last season at this time, we knew four times as much as we do this season.
3 things to keep in mind:
1) FRC Headquarters can only put up the dates as fast as the RPCs give them up in some cases.
2) Some dates are already somewhat locked in but not officially reported (The Virginia Regional in 2014 was up on the venue's calendar for what had to have been a month+ before HQ posted it)
3) HQ has made the option this year to not post events yet until they are 100% confirmed. I believe not ALL districts have not reported ALL of their dates and ALL of their confirmed venues, and that made up a fair portion of the list as well.
So far 10 fewer regional dates have been confirmed at this time for the 2015 season than there was this time last year for the 2014 season.
And for what it's worth, both are light years ahead of the insufferable date-bomb FIRST used to drop on us around Labor Day in the past, where you got all your dates at once. As it stands, teams are able to process calendars around one or two regional events a month ahead of time (and a crucial month, since all schools are back in session by September and some are starting now).
Los Angeles and Mexico City have been posted! (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events?id=430)
Peachtree regional (Atlanta) will be March 27-29. Fri-Sun, if I wrote the dates down correctly, at the GWCC. It will be a little smaller plus a second Georgia regional tentatively in Perry, GA early season. This was announced in the mentor advisory meeting last Sat (2014.08.16).
Los Angeles is a Week 3 competition this year? Moved up a week.
Nothing up yet on the LVR... or a new California regional.
But now LA and Hawaii are two weeks apart. Maybe we can go to Hawaii!?!?
Los Angeles and Mexico City have been posted! (http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprograms/frc/regional-events?id=430)
On top of these two, we got a few more:
Pheonix East Arizona - Week 4
SBPLI Long Island - Week 5
Finger Lakes - Week 5
Gary Dillard
20-08-2014, 12:37
Peachtree regional (Atlanta) will be March 27-29. Fri-Sun, if I wrote the dates down correctly, at the GWCC. It will be a little smaller plus a second Georgia regional tentatively in Perry, GA early season. This was announced in the mentor advisory meeting last Sat (2014.08.16).
Any idea what drove the decision to move it to a Friday-Sunday event?
Steven Donow
20-08-2014, 14:08
MAR schedule was announced on their website:
Week 1: Feb. 27-March 1 – Hatboro-Horsham, Horsham, PA
Week 2: March 6-8 – Mount Olive, Flanders, NJ
Week 3: March 12-14 – Springside-Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Week 4: March 20-22 – Seneca-Lenape, Tabernacle, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Bridgewater-Raritan, Bridgewater, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Upper Darby, Upper Darby, PA
Week 6: April 2-4 – North Brunswick, North Brunswick, NJ
Week 7: April 8-11 – MAR Championship, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
It's nce to see a Pennsylvania event later in the season.
Also fun fact: This is the fourth different name the district at Seneca High School has gone by.
MAR schedule was announced on their website
Now here's to hoping FiM follows soon...
MAR schedule was announced on their website:
Week 1: Feb. 27-March 1 – Hatboro-Horsham, Horsham, PA
Week 2: March 6-8 – Mount Olive, Flanders, NJ
Week 3: March 12-14 – Springside-Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Week 4: March 20-22 – Seneca-Lenape, Tabernacle, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Bridgewater-Raritan, Bridgewater, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Upper Darby, Upper Darby, PA
Week 6: April 2-4 – North Brunswick, North Brunswick, NJ
Week 7: April 8-11 – MAR Championship, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
It's nce to see a Pennsylvania event later in the season.
Also fun fact: This is the fourth different name the district at Seneca High School has gone by.
Mainly I'm overjoyed to finally have a central NJ district. Now we can guarantee one event without travel costs! :)
MAR schedule was announced on their website:
Week 1: Feb. 27-March 1 – Hatboro-Horsham, Horsham, PA
Week 2: March 6-8 – Mount Olive, Flanders, NJ
Week 3: March 12-14 – Springside-Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Week 4: March 20-22 – Seneca-Lenape, Tabernacle, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Bridgewater-Raritan, Bridgewater, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Upper Darby, Upper Darby, PA
Week 6: April 2-4 – North Brunswick, North Brunswick, NJ
Week 7: April 8-11 – MAR Championship, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
Seems like MAR finally decided to allow a Week 2 event and an Easter weekend event.
Seems like MAR finally decided to allow a Week 2 event and an Easter weekend event.
To clarify, MAR used to not schedule any week 2 events due to HSPA testing in NJ. In 2015 NJ will no longer be administering the HSPA. Instead students will take the PARCC test. High schools are free to determine their own schedule for PARCC testing so each school district will be different.
Kevin Pardus
21-08-2014, 17:37
Less than five weeks remain until Registration begins for the 2015 season. By this time on the 25th of Sept, Mark McLeod will have posted numerous times giving us all a breakdown of how the first day has gone; which events are full and how many teams have registered. Just can't wait for the madness to begin one more time!
Mark McLeod
21-08-2014, 18:13
Less than five weeks remain until Registration begins for the 2015 season. By this time on the 25th of Sept, Mark McLeod will have posted numerous times giving us all a breakdown of how the first day has gone; which events are full and how many teams have registered. Just can't wait for the madness to begin one more time!
Are you calling me mad?
AllenGregoryIV
21-08-2014, 18:57
Are you calling me mad?
Nope, I think he was calling you Awesome.
orangemoore
21-08-2014, 19:52
Are you calling me mad?
I think he was referring to registration madness.
Kevin Pardus
21-08-2014, 21:19
Are you calling me mad?
No
Nope, I think he was calling you Awesome.
The work you do Mark is fantastic and is a great benefit to the FIRST & CD community. In quick snapshots, you capture the pulse of the action taking place during registration from start to finish.
I think he was referring to registration madness.
Basically for 48 hours after Noon ET on Sep 25th and again for several hours after Noon on Oct 23rd; the number of teams all vying to secure their desired event is amazing. But at the same time it is a form of madness when compared to the pace registration takes place at during the remaining hours and days of the registration period.
Mark McLeod
21-08-2014, 21:27
Too bad, I was practicing my insane laugh...more of a cackle really.
Andrew Schreiber
21-08-2014, 23:27
Too bad, I was practicing my insane laugh...more of a cackle really.
Your CD monogrammed straight jacket is in the mail.
MAR schedule was announced on their website:
Week 1: Feb. 27-March 1 – Hatboro-Horsham, Horsham, PA
Week 2: March 6-8 – Mount Olive, Flanders, NJ
Week 3: March 12-14 – Springside-Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Week 4: March 20-22 – Seneca-Lenape, Tabernacle, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Bridgewater-Raritan, Bridgewater, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Upper Darby, Upper Darby, PA
Week 6: April 2-4 – North Brunswick, North Brunswick, NJ
Week 7: April 8-11 – MAR Championship, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
It's nce to see a Pennsylvania event later in the season.
Also fun fact: This is the fourth different name the district at Seneca High School has gone by.
It's nice to see MAR has locked down their schedule, I can only hope the NE is close behind.
PayneTrain
22-08-2014, 08:36
It's nice to see MAR has locked down their schedule, I can only hope the NE is close behind.
It's also nice that it looks like MAR took in a lot of... critical feedback from its member teams last year to make improvements for the upcoming season. It's a shame the Sun National Bank Center (or whatever it's called) apparently costs a king's ransom because that would be a great venue for the RCMP.
Less than five weeks remain until Registration begins for the 2015 season. By this time on the 25th of Sept, Mark McLeod will have posted numerous times giving us all a breakdown of how the first day has gone; which events are full and how many teams have registered. Just can't wait for the madness to begin one more time!
Spots may not go as quickly as years past thinking realistically with the new system. FIRST has been highly publicizing that the Coach and Alternate Contact have to both have passed the YPP screening before being able to register. I'm curious to see initial 1st event registrations right when it opens compared to previous years since I know there will be teams that just happened to overlook that change.
On top of these two, we got a few more:
Pheonix East Arizona - Week 4
So the long-running Arizona Regional at Hamilton High in Chandler, now called Phoenix East it looks like, is still week 4, but nothing about the date for what I now presume will be called Phoenix West at Grand Canyon University. It is going to be interesting to see where that is slotted in with regards to other Regionals in the general area that many Arizona teams go to:
Inland Empire [normally week 1]
San Diego [normally week 2]
Long Beach [confirmed week 3, was week 4 this year]
Las Vegas [normally week 6])
I would hope the Phoenix West Regional is not week 3 or 5 since East is 4 and the volunteer pool is very likely to be similar.
Kevin Pardus
23-08-2014, 09:51
Spots may not go as quickly as years past thinking realistically with the new system. FIRST has been highly publicizing that the Coach and Alternate Contact have to both have passed the YPP screening before being able to register. I'm curious to see initial 1st event registrations right when it opens compared to previous years since I know there will be teams that just happened to overlook that change.
There may be a slight reduction in the number of teams being able to register on 25 Sep due to hiccups caused by a team’s leadership not being validated within the Youth Protection Program (YPP). But the number of teams registering who realize that there are fewer slots (initial Open Capacity) for Regional events this upcoming season will significantly off-set any YPP-related reduction.
The initial Open Capacity numbers for Regional events this season seem to show a very distinct pattern, they are 5 teams less than those of the past several years for the same events. In previous seasons, the difference between the initial Open Capacity number and the number of teams finally allowed to attend an event was approximately 10 teams. This allowed the Regional event committees flexibility to add Rookie and local teams prior to Veteran wait-listed teams who were not quick at registering early. This upcoming season, the initial Open Capacity numbers for Regional events compared to the numbers for the same events in previous seasons, seem to be approximately 15 teams less than the historical attendance levels for those same events. So, basically there will be 5 teams less being able to lock-in their first event registration (25 Sep-23 Oct) per Regional event this season or 5 more teams on the wait-list for each event then in past seasons.
It's also nice that it looks like MAR took in a lot of... critical feedback from its member teams last year to make improvements for the upcoming season.
Agreed. Very glad to see that the MAR Board is listening to its constituents.
It's a shame the Sun National Bank Center (or whatever it's called) apparently costs a king's ransom because that would be a great venue for the RCMP.
Unfortunately, that's true. It was a great venue for the old New Jersey Regional, but it is extremely expensive. However, MAR is actively searching out alternative venues for the 2016 DCMP.
Arkansas Rock City Regional- week 3
AllenGregoryIV
26-08-2014, 21:38
Arkansas Rock City Regional- week 3
Ed you scared me. Arkansas is Week 2, Mar 4th-7th.
All the MAR and PNW district events are now listed!
So PNW Champ is now Week 6, which is also coincidentally Easter weekend.
So PNW Champ is now Week 6, which is also coincidentally Easter weekend.
And it's also no longer in Portland, but instead out at Eastern Washington University. Makes for a lot of travel for Oregon teams...
Kevin Pardus
27-08-2014, 12:57
All the MAR and PNW district events are now listed!
MAR schedule was announced on their website:
Week 1: Feb. 27-March 1 – Hatboro-Horsham, Horsham, PA
Week 2: March 6-8 – Mount Olive, Flanders, NJ
Week 3: March 12-14 – Springside-Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, PA
Week 4: March 20-22 – Seneca-Lenape, Tabernacle, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Bridgewater-Raritan, Bridgewater, NJ
Week 5: March 27-29 – Upper Darby, Upper Darby, PA
Week 6: April 2-4 – North Brunswick, North Brunswick, NJ
Week 7: April 8-11 – MAR Championship, Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
It's nice to see a Pennsylvania event later in the season.
Also fun fact: This is the fourth different name the district at Seneca High School has gone by.
Not all MAR District events are posted on the official FIRST list. MAR Event #6 is missing, which should be Upper Darby / 27-29 Mar 15) if the previous MAR post from Steven Donow was correct. Also the MAR Championship not listed as well.
Edit:
Missing MAR Event #6 was just posted as a PNW District Event Subtype!! Hopefully it will be corrected soon.
Missing MAR Championship was also just posted.
Jeffrafa
27-08-2014, 15:03
And it's also no longer in Portland, but instead out at Eastern Washington University. Makes for a lot of travel for Oregon teams...
Not just Oregon teams (although southern OR will have it particularly bad), PNW Championship in Eastern Washington will mean nearly all teams will have to travel for it. Check out the District Team Map from 2014 (http://firstwa.org/Programs/FIRSTRoboticsCompetition/TeamMap.aspx).
Last year there were only 15 teams within a 50 mile radius of Eastern Washington University. Compare that to 31 for Portland, or 66 for Seattle (same 50 mi radius). I guess venue cost wins out over individual team travel/hotel costs ...
I do appreciate the extra week for travel planning before Championships - I know it was a push for a lot of PNW teams last year.
FiM just listed their districts.
BrendanB
27-08-2014, 16:36
You can do it NEFIRST.
Jacob Bendicksen
27-08-2014, 17:33
Not just Oregon teams (although southern OR will have it particularly bad), PNW Championship in Eastern Washington will mean nearly all teams will have to travel for it. Check out the District Team Map from 2014 (http://firstwa.org/Programs/FIRSTRoboticsCompetition/TeamMap.aspx).
Last year there were only 15 teams within a 50 mile radius of Eastern Washington University. Compare that to 31 for Portland, or 66 for Seattle (same 50 mi radius). I guess venue cost wins out over individual team travel/hotel costs ...
I do appreciate the extra week for travel planning before Championships - I know it was a push for a lot of PNW teams last year.
You can tell that it's far when Google Maps starts giving you airline quotes for getting there.
http://s28.postimg.org/p6znbz57x/Screen_Shot_2014_08_27_at_2_26_53_PM.jpg
FiM just listed their districts.
For the lazy, looks like the same llineup as last year plus a new one "#7" in Woodhaven High School, Flat Rock, Michigan. That's between Monroe and Detroit.
Week District
1 Howell
1 Southfield
2 Kettering
2 Waterford
3 Woodhaven
3 Gull Lake
3 Traverse City
4 West Michigan
4 Midland
4 St. Joe
5 Center Line
5 Escanaba
5 Livonia
6 Lansing
6 Bedford
6 Troy
Christopher149
27-08-2014, 20:03
For the lazy, looks like the same llineup as last year plus a new one "#7" in Woodhaven High School, Flat Rock, Michigan. That's between Monroe and Detroit.
Week District
1 Howell
1 Southfield
2 Kettering
2 Waterford
3 Woodhaven
3 Gull Lake
3 Traverse City
4 West Michigan
4 Midland
4 St. Joe
5 Center Line
5 Escanaba
5 Livonia
6 Lansing
6 Bedford
6 Troy
I'm a fan that Traverse City and Escanaba are not consecutive weeks. A couple teams didn't do both even though they were significantly the two closest events, so that shouldn't be an issue this year.
For the lazy, looks like the same llineup as last year plus a new one "#7" in Woodhaven High School, Flat Rock, Michigan. That's between Monroe and Detroit.
Week District
1 Howell
1 Southfield
2 Kettering
2 Waterford
3 Woodhaven
3 Gull Lake
3 Traverse City
4 West Michigan
4 Midland
4 St. Joe
5 Center Line
5 Escanaba
5 Livonia
6 Lansing
6 Bedford
6 Troy
I'm a little disappointed that St. Joe and West Michigan are the same week. It looks like we will have to increase our travel budget and be sure we get signed up for Gull Lake this year. Seems like we can't get much of a spread in competition dates within our travel range this year. On the upside, we get to go somewhere we've never been before!
Qbot2640
30-08-2014, 10:14
I'm starting to get nervous about what is...and what is not... already published for the Southeast. With NC and VA the same weekend (week 4)...obviously only one of those is possible. DC and Peachtree are both the following week - so not optimal.
Any anecdotal evidence or even plausible rumors about the expected dates for Smoky Mountains, Chesapeake, or anything within reasonable travel distance from North Carolina?
Might have to do Palmetto...love the area and the teams...just hate the thought of a week one regional!
Michael Hill
30-08-2014, 10:24
I'm starting to get nervous about what is...and what is not... already published for the Southeast. With NC and VA the same weekend (week 4)...obviously only one of those is possible. DC and Peachtree are both the following week - so not optimal.
Any anecdotal evidence or even plausible rumors about the expected dates for Smoky Mountains, Chesapeake, or anything within reasonable travel distance from North Carolina?
Might have to do Palmetto...love the area and the teams...just hate the thought of a week one regional!
Don't fear week 1. We loved doing a week 1 last year. It forced us to stick to our schedule. Also, all the other teams at the regional will be in the same boat as you.
Qbot2640
30-08-2014, 13:10
Don't fear week 1. We loved doing a week 1 last year. It forced us to stick to our schedule. Also, all the other teams at the regional will be in the same boat as you.
I've personally attended the last two Palmetto Regionals...2013 as a "scout" and 2014 as an inspector...I just really like watching some competition before we play our first.
Gary Dillard
02-09-2014, 09:41
I'm starting to get nervous about what is...and what is not... already published for the Southeast.
Any anecdotal evidence or even plausible rumors about the expected dates for Smoky Mountains, Chesapeake, or anything within reasonable travel distance from North Carolina?
From a reliable source but he said it's still not confirmed, Smoky Mountain will be April 1-4
MechEng83
02-09-2014, 15:44
You can do it NEFIRST.
Looks like New England events are starting to be posted - as of 3:45pm EDT NE District Event #1 Nashua South High School Nashua, NH USA 26-Feb - 28-Feb-2015
Still waiting on Indiana...
PayneTrain
02-09-2014, 15:56
Looks like New England events are starting to be posted - as of 3:45pm EDT
Still waiting on Indiana...
I think we're still missing for 26 returning regionals (assuming all regionals outside of Indiana are returning), on top of NE/Indiana dates and any new regionals that are popping up.
Initial event registration is in 23 days.
Mastonevich
02-09-2014, 16:06
Week 1 2/25-2/28, 4 Events
Week 2 3/4-3/7, 5 Events
Week 3 3/11-3/14, 6 Events
Week 4 3/18-3/21, 6 Events
Week 5 3/25-3/28, 5 Events
Week 6 4/1 - 4/4, 0 Events
Week 6 events?
Christopher149
02-09-2014, 17:39
Week 1 2/25-2/28, 4 Events
Week 2 3/4-3/7, 5 Events
Week 3 3/11-3/14, 6 Events
Week 4 3/18-3/21, 6 Events
Week 5 3/25-3/28, 5 Events
Week 6 4/1 - 4/4, 0 Events
Week 6 events?
I'm seeing, in week 6 right now, PNW district champs, 3 FiM district events, and 1 MAR district event. So, no regionals listed (aside from the mention of an unconfirmed Smoky Mountain a few posts up).
Edit: and to avoid double-posting:
Looks like New England events are starting to be posted - as of 3:45pm EDT
Still waiting on Indiana...
I see two Indiana events, in Indianapolis week 1 and Kokomo week 3, but no champs yet.
PPS. http://www.indianafirst.org/blog/article/announcement-district-event-site-selection lists Indiana's 3 districts and champs.
Michael Hill
02-09-2014, 17:52
I'm seeing, in week 6 right now, PNW district champs, 3 FiM district events, and 1 MAR district event. So, no regionals listed (aside from the mention of an unconfirmed Smoky Mountain a few posts up).
Edit: and to avoid double-posting:
I see two Indiana events, in Indianapolis week 1 and Kokomo week 3, but no champs yet.
PPS. http://www.indianafirst.org/blog/article/announcement-district-event-site-selection lists Indiana's 3 districts and champs.
I've always wondered how an FRC in Memorial Gym (in Kokomo) would work out. (It's at my middle school/high school gym). I really wonder where all the pits are going to be.
Indiana districts
Indianapolis week 1
Kokomo week 3
Purdue week 4
Champs at warren central high school in Indy week 6
BrendanB
02-09-2014, 18:37
NEFIRST Schedule is up. 10 Total districts plus district Championship which has moved to WPI. No competitions during week 6!
Week 1:
NE District Event #1 Nashua South High School Nashua, NH USA 26-Feb - 28-Feb-2015
NE District Event #2 Wilby High School Waterbury, CT USA 27-Feb - 01-Mar-2015
Week 2:
NE District Event #3 Mass Mutual Center Springfield, MA USA 05-Mar - 07-Mar-2015
NE District Event #4 Reading High School - Field House Reading, MA USA 06-Mar - 08-Mar-2015
Week 3:
NE District Event #6 UMass Dartmouth - Tripp Athletic Center North Dartmouth, MA USA 12-Mar - 14-Mar-2015
NE District Event #5 Androscoggin Bank Colisee Lewiston, ME USA 12-Mar - 14-Mar-2015
Week 4:
NE District Event #7 UNH Durham - Whittemore Center Arena Durham, NH USA 20-Mar - 22-Mar-2015
NE District Event #8 Bryant University - Chace Athletic Center Smithfield, RI USA 20-Mar - 22-Mar-2015
Week 5:
NE District Event #9 Northeastern University - Matthews Arena Boston, MA USA 26-Mar - 28-Mar-2015
NE District Event #10 Hartford Public High School Hartford, CT USA 27-Mar - 29-Mar-2015
Week 7:
NE District Championship Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Worcester, MA USA 08-Apr - 11-Apr-2015
pastelpony
02-09-2014, 19:14
NEFIRST Schedule is up. 10 Total districts plus district Championship which has moved to WPI. No competitions during week 6!
Week 1:
NE District Event #1 Nashua South High School Nashua, NH USA 26-Feb - 28-Feb-2015
NE District Event #2 Wilby High School Waterbury, CT USA 27-Feb - 01-Mar-2015
Week 2:
NE District Event #3 Mass Mutual Center Springfield, MA USA 05-Mar - 07-Mar-2015
NE District Event #4 Reading High School - Field House Reading, MA USA 06-Mar - 08-Mar-2015
Week 3:
NE District Event #6 UMass Dartmouth - Tripp Athletic Center North Dartmouth, MA USA 12-Mar - 14-Mar-2015
NE District Event #5 Androscoggin Bank Colisee Lewiston, ME USA 12-Mar - 14-Mar-2015
Week 4:
NE District Event #7 UNH Durham - Whittemore Center Arena Durham, NH USA 20-Mar - 22-Mar-2015
NE District Event #8 Bryant University - Chace Athletic Center Smithfield, RI USA 20-Mar - 22-Mar-2015
Week 5:
NE District Event #9 Northeastern University - Matthews Arena Boston, MA USA 26-Mar - 28-Mar-2015
NE District Event #10 Hartford Public High School Hartford, CT USA 27-Mar - 29-Mar-2015
Week 7:
NE District Championship Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Worcester, MA USA 08-Apr - 11-Apr-2015
This year will be different for my team...we've never done a week 1 event or even anything before week 5 before. We're definitely not going to miss a district event in our own city. We usually go to Pine Tree for week 6 (which this year is a week 3 event to my surprise.) We're going to have to much, much better with time this year.
I guess the lack of a week 6 event is better for planning for the NECMP (my team didn't know we made it to the NECMP until only days before it because of Pine Tree and as a result we had only days to prepare.)
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the NECMP in Boston; I hoped it would have stayed there.
BrendanB
02-09-2014, 19:27
This year will be different for my team...we've never done a week 1 event or even anything before week 5 before. We're definitely not going to miss a district event in our own city. We usually go to Pine Tree for week 6 (which this year is a week 3 event to my surprise.) We're going to have to much, much better with time this year.
I guess the lack of a week 6 event is better for planning for the NECMP (my team didn't know we made it to the NECMP until only days before it because of Pine Tree and as a result we had only days to prepare.)
I really enjoyed the atmosphere of the NECMP in Boston; I hoped it would have stayed there.
Yes the new schedule will be interesting. Glad to see more Saturday/Sunday alternatives for teams to compete at to avoid days out of school. I am also really excited to see the UNH event moving to the Whittemore Arena instead of the field house that wasn't the most ideal location.
I'll agree with you on the DCMP. Of all the regionals in New England the Boston Regional was one of the best run events I have been to. Being in Boston really made it feel like the hub for the NEFIRST district and it had a lot of great food choices in the venue and surrounding. It wasn't the easiest commute and doesn't have a the biggest selection of local hotels but it wasn't impossible. We commuted each day without a problem. I personally have reservations about WPI being able to adequately host such a big event considering the size of their facilities. They have hosted Battlecry for years which has had a higher number of teams in attendence in an overly crowded and chaotic pit area however Battlecry doesn't draw the same volume of attendees from the public and teams. I foresee a very crowded pit area which I'm not looking forward too. There is also no cell service in the pits which is a massive downside.
Huh, this is interesting. Some of the Washington PNW events have become Saturday-Sunday events. This is an unexpected change, but welcomed change. I guess this means I can volunteer event more :)
Since I was curious about how sub-optimal the placement of the PNW District Championship was -- and because I'm an engineer that likes to overdo things -- I decided to do some calculations...
I threw the addresses of all of the teams in the PNW district into a geographic midpoint calculator (www.geomidpoint.com). This calculates the "center of gravity" of all of the teams in the PNW (assuming equal weighting of each team).
The results weren't entirely surprising -- the DCMP site is over 200 miles from the average PNW FRC team.
The center of gravity of FRC in the PNW is about 7 miles due south of Mt. Rainer or (46.746897, -121.732176) if you're wanting to be exact. I say we just have it on top of Mt. Rainer next year -- snow game, anyone?
Here are some (straight line) distances from that center for reference:
51mi - FIRSTWA Headquarters, Kent, WA
65mi - Downtown, Seattle, WA
95mi - Memorial Colosseum, Portland, OR (this year's site)
200mi - Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA (next year's site)
That means that the "average" PNW team will be travelling an extra 105mi to DCMP this year.
Here's the team map with addresses (from FIRSTWA):
PNW Team Map (http://www.firstwa.org/Programs/FIRSTRoboticsCompetition/TeamMap.aspx)
Here's a Google map pinpoint of the location:
PNW District Team Midpoint (https://www.google.com/maps/place/46%C2%B044'48.8%22N+121%C2%B043'55.8%22W/@46.7434918,-121.2508281,8z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0)
pastelpony
02-09-2014, 20:14
Yes the new schedule will be interesting. Glad to see more Saturday/Sunday alternatives for teams to compete at to avoid days out of school. I am also really excited to see the UNH event moving to the Whittemore Arena instead of the field house that wasn't the most ideal location.
I'll agree with you on the DCMP. Of all the regionals in New England the Boston Regional was one of the best run events I have been to. Being in Boston really made it feel like the hub for the NEFIRST district and it had a lot of great food choices in the venue and surrounding. It wasn't the easiest commute and doesn't have a the biggest selection of local hotels but it wasn't impossible. We commuted each day without a problem. I personally have reservations about WPI being able to adequately host such a big event considering the size of their facilities. They have hosted Battlecry for years which has had a higher number of teams in attendence in an overly crowded and chaotic pit area however Battlecry doesn't draw the same volume of attendees from the public and teams. I foresee a very crowded pit area which I'm not looking forward too. There is also no cell service in the pits which is a massive downside.
Although I personally wasn't at BattleCry this year, I've heard that the pits are much darker and smaller compared to more open pits such as the ones at Pine Tree and the district championship last year. Hopefully they'll find a solution to alleviate the crowding and overall poor condition of the pit area.
Last year's district championship had a great atmosphere and venue and almost felt as big as the FIRST Championship. It'll be difficult to recreate that in Worcester.
Since I was curious about how sub-optimal the placement of the PNW District Championship was -- and because I'm an engineer that likes to overdo things -- I decided to do some calculations...
I threw the addresses of all of the teams in the PNW district into a geographic midpoint calculator (www.geomidpoint.com). This calculates the "center of gravity" of all of the teams in the PNW (assuming equal weighting of each team).
The results weren't entirely surprising -- the DCMP site is over 200 miles from the average PNW FRC team.
The center of gravity of FRC in the PNW is about 7 miles due south of Mt. Rainer or (46.746897, -121.732176) if you're wanting to be exact. I say we just have it on top of Mt. Rainer next year -- snow game, anyone?
Here are some (straight line) distances from that center for reference:
51mi - FIRSTWA Headquarters, Kent, WA
65mi - Downtown, Seattle, WA
95mi - Memorial Colosseum, Portland, OR (this year's site)
200mi - Eastern Washington University, Spokane, WA (next year's site)
That means that the "average" PNW team will be travelling an extra 105mi to DCMP this year.
Here's the team map with addresses (from FIRSTWA):
PNW Team Map (http://www.firstwa.org/Programs/FIRSTRoboticsCompetition/TeamMap.aspx)
Here's a Google map pinpoint of the location:
PNW District Team Midpoint (https://www.google.com/maps/place/46%C2%B044'48.8%22N+121%C2%B043'55.8%22W/@46.7434918,-121.2508281,8z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0)
I'm almost certain the FIRSTWA staff knows that the new DCMP site is sub-optimal, but you have to consider how sustainable the Portland site was for them. FIRSTWA has to fundraise all the money for the event site every year.
Peyton Yeung
02-09-2014, 20:46
I've always wondered how an FRC in Memorial Gym (in Kokomo) would work out. (It's at my middle school/high school gym). I really wonder where all the pits are going to be.
If I recall correctly the swimming pool in Memorial Gym was removed and had been replaced with another basketball court. I believe that alleviates some space issues.
Tom Bottiglieri
02-09-2014, 20:55
Why don't the districts have names? Are we moving to a Hunger Games style naming convention?
PayneTrain
02-09-2014, 20:56
Although I personally wasn't at BattleCry this year, I've heard that the pits are much darker and smaller compared to more open pits such as the ones at Pine Tree and the district championship last year. Hopefully they'll find a solution to alleviate the crowding and overall poor condition of the pit area.
Last year's district championship had a great atmosphere and venue and almost felt as big as the FIRST Championship. It'll be difficult to recreate that in Worcester.
I'm not from New England so don't shoot me, but I think it'll be fine. FiNE seemed to have a very smooth first year (because it's run by a lot of intelligent grizzled ancients) and WPI has never put on even a mediocre event, much less a bad one. I imagine the goal is to move some money to a more needed area of the budget to help the program grow.
I think they earned a shot at it.
PayneTrain
02-09-2014, 20:57
Why don't the districts have names? Are we moving to a Hunger Games style naming convention?
6 years later and still no one can get the district naming conventions formatted (or even spelled) correctly, so maybe they're just trying to make it as painfully basic as possible.
Why don't the districts have names? Are we moving to a Hunger Games style naming convention?
I would guess it was because the districts moved around a lot. They'd move, they'd change names. They'd sometimes not bother moving before changing names. As a Fantasy FIRST player, it was always tough keeping districts straight between years. Not to mention the late-adding districts (Michigan, I'm lookin' at you).
So, now they don't have to worry about that--just number 'em, and apply the names later, after they've settled down a bit if they want to.
Andrew Schreiber
02-09-2014, 21:06
Week 7:
NE District Championship Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Worcester, MA USA 08-Apr - 11-Apr-2015
Yuck.
Jessica Boucher
02-09-2014, 21:10
Why don't the districts have names? Are we moving to a Hunger Games style naming convention?
Consistent names make for easier hunting in a long list of alphabetical events.
Additionally, when I went through the exercise of giving the events custom names last year, I never could come up with enough good names. The best one was still North Dumpling, IMO.
Alan Anderson
03-09-2014, 00:11
I've always wondered how an FRC in Memorial Gym (in Kokomo) would work out. (It's at my middle school/high school gym). I really wonder where all the pits are going to be.
The area where the swimming pool used to be is now a gymnasium owned by the IU Kokomo Cougars. I'm pretty sure 40 10'x10' pits can fit in there, but without much room left over for inspection and spare parts and pit administration. We'll find a place for everything.
YES!!! WPI puts on some of the best robotics event in the country very very very very happy to see the district championship get moved to there, Also ecstatic to see an event in Waterbury week one that is like our home town event now, and the team loves week one event, best calendar NEFIRST could have possibly come up with
NEFIRST Schedule is up. 10 Total districts plus district Championship which has moved to WPI. No competitions during week 6!
Week 1:
NE District Event #1 Nashua South High School Nashua, NH USA 26-Feb - 28-Feb-2015
NE District Event #2 Wilby High School Waterbury, CT USA 27-Feb - 01-Mar-2015
Week 2:
NE District Event #3 Mass Mutual Center Springfield, MA USA 05-Mar - 07-Mar-2015
NE District Event #4 Reading High School - Field House Reading, MA USA 06-Mar - 08-Mar-2015
Week 3:
NE District Event #6 UMass Dartmouth - Tripp Athletic Center North Dartmouth, MA USA 12-Mar - 14-Mar-2015
NE District Event #5 Androscoggin Bank Colisee Lewiston, ME USA 12-Mar - 14-Mar-2015
Week 4:
NE District Event #7 UNH Durham - Whittemore Center Arena Durham, NH USA 20-Mar - 22-Mar-2015
NE District Event #8 Bryant University - Chace Athletic Center Smithfield, RI USA 20-Mar - 22-Mar-2015
Week 5:
NE District Event #9 Northeastern University - Matthews Arena Boston, MA USA 26-Mar - 28-Mar-2015
NE District Event #10 Hartford Public High School Hartford, CT USA 27-Mar - 29-Mar-2015
Week 7:
NE District Championship Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Worcester, MA USA 08-Apr - 11-Apr-2015
I'm happy to see the Week 6 break and the continued Sat-Sun format for a large number of Districts, I am disappointed however to see that some of the Districts were lost from last year. Only having two Districts in CT seems unbalanced to me, even with the additional district overall.
2015 District Allocation
CT - 2
MA - 4 + Championships
RI - 1
NH - 2
VT - 0
ME - 1
2014 District Allocation
CT - 3
MA - 2 + Championships
RI - 1
NH - 2
VT - 0
ME - 1
Number of Team in 2014
CT - 52
MA - 86
RI - 8
NH - 39
VT - 3
ME - 19
Rosiebotboss
03-09-2014, 09:00
jwfoss-If it makes you feel any better, the Springfield event is only about 4 miles from the CT border.
Just saying...
BrendanB
03-09-2014, 09:02
I'm happy to see the Week 6 break and the continued Sat-Sun format for a large number of Districts, I am disappointed however to see that some of the Districts were lost from last year. Only having two Districts in CT seems unbalanced to me, even with the additional district overall.
2015 District Allocation
CT - 2
MA - 4 + Championships
RI - 1
NH - 2
VT - 0
ME - 1
2014 District Allocation
CT - 3
MA - 2 + Championships
RI - 1
NH - 2
VT - 0
ME - 1
Number of Team in 2014
CT - 52
MA - 86
RI - 8
NH - 39
VT - 3
ME - 19
Agreed. Its nice to see us condensed down to five weeks. It would have been nice to see the DCMP moved to week six but I think having a week between the events will help as teams will have a better idea of where they stand going into WPI so they have time to plan or research travel options for St. Louis.
I think the reasoning behind putting more events in MA aside from it having more teams is that most of the MA events are still close enough to border states it is still easy for teams to commute into the state on a daily basis. The Reading event is 30-45 minutes for teams in the SNH area. Similarly the new Springfield event (which technically the place of WPI) will be about 30 minutes for teams on the northern side of Hartford. Not a perfect solution but hopefully CT teams don't have to travel too far.
Andrew Schreiber
03-09-2014, 09:58
Number of Team in 2014
CT - 52
MA - 86
RI - 8
NH - 39
VT - 3
ME - 19
I agree with Foss, CT SHOULD have 3 events based on 2014 distribution.
207 teams in NEFIRST in 2014
CT 25% 3 Events
MA 42% 4 Events
RI 4% 0 Events
NH 19% 2 Events
VT 1% 0 Events
ME 9% 1 Event
Would be the logical distribution. When I get home I'll see if I can compute average commute distances to the nearest two districts. It's possible that, like most things in NE, state lines are kinda silly distinctions.
Edit: Commute distances aren't happening tonight. Data is loaded, I'm pretty sure of the query I need to run but I'm still wrapping my head around postgis.
Rosiebotboss
03-09-2014, 10:56
I agree with Foss, CT SHOULD have 3 events based on 2014 distribution.
207 teams in NEFIRST in 2014
CT 25% 3 Events
MA 42% 4 Events
RI 4% 0 Events
NH 19% 2 Events
VT 1% 0 Events
ME 9% 1 Event
Would be the logical distribution. When I get home I'll see if I can compute average commute distances to the nearest two districts. It's possible that, like most things in NE, state lines are kinda silly distinctions.
Does it really matter? We are all NE FIRST. The only thing that should matter is that there are 10 events evenly distributed. Or at least pretty close to equal mileage to the concentrations of teams. ..."state lines are kinda silly distinctions."
Andrew Schreiber
03-09-2014, 11:23
Does it really matter? We are all NE FIRST. The only thing that should matter is that there are 10 events evenly distributed. Or at least pretty close to equal mileage to the concentrations of teams. ..."state lines are kinda silly distinctions."
State lines are, for the most part, silly distinctions. Except when it comes to some school travel policies having extra rules for out of state travel.
As I said, I'm going to do some digging on whether this distribution is actually better later (I hope).
state lines are kinda silly distinctionsMake sure you bring that up at FIRST's next "What Events Are In My Area (http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-on)" website design meeting, where you have to re-click e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g to find out what's happening in my multi-state District event :confused:
Brandon Holley
03-09-2014, 12:45
State lines are, for the most part, silly distinctions. Except when it comes to some school travel policies having extra rules for out of state travel.
I think this is the important point. While events may have been shifted from one state to another, geographically I feel like NEFIRST has done a better job of spreading events out evenly around the highly FRC populated areas. We should look at New England as a whole and not arbitrary state boundaries.
The state travel rule is a factor, however for New England schools and FRC teams this is not a new requirement. The states here are small, its difficult to drive an hour in any direction in certain parts of New England without crossing a border. I think many teams and schools understand this constraint and know how to deal with it.
-Brando
feverittm
03-09-2014, 12:51
I'm almost certain the FIRSTWA staff knows that the new DCMP site is sub-optimal, but you have to consider how sustainable the Portland site was for them. FIRSTWA has to fundraise all the money for the event site every year.
Yes, however I thought that Autodesk paid for (and therefore got the naming rights) most of the venue cost? Portland was actually one of the cheaper venues available outside of a academic location.
6 years later...
Oh Lord. Michigan has been doing districts for six years. Did not realize it's been that long.
I would guess it was because the districts moved around a lot. They'd move, they'd change names. They'd sometimes not bother moving before changing names. As a Fantasy FIRST player, it was always tough keeping districts straight between years. Not to mention the late-adding districts (Michigan, I'm lookin' at you).
Heck, it's tough keeping track of them as a Michigan resident. The only one I'm ever consistently sure about is Kettering because that's on campus for me... There's something nice to be said for events that are five minutes from your room...
BrendanB
03-09-2014, 13:18
I think this is the important point. While events may have been shifted from one state to another, geographically I feel like NEFIRST has done a better job of spreading events out evenly around the highly FRC populated areas. We should look at New England as a whole and not arbitrary state boundaries.
The state travel rule is a factor, however for New England schools and FRC teams this is not a new requirement. The states here are small, its difficult to drive an hour in any direction in certain parts of New England without crossing a border. I think many teams and schools understand this constraint and know how to deal with it.
-Brando
Agreed. There is also a difference between an overnight trip and a day field trip of which many NEFIRST teams can realistically commute to their out of state competitions. We commuted to the DCMP this past year and are planning to commute to both of our district competitions whether they are in New Hampshire or Massachusetts.
Let's also not forget that last year CT teams were some of the only teams able to compete at two-three competitions in their own state. Both New Hampshire events were week 1 and week 2 meaning all but two teams traveled out of state to compete or be forced to compete back to back in the beginning of the season when robots/teams usually aren't ready. Massachusetts was doable in weeks 3 and 5 but demand filled both of those events fast.
For those of us who are competing in the southern half of the district (CT, MA, RI, and SNH) keep in mind that there are plenty of teams in Vermont, Nothern New Hampshire, and Maine who are forced to travel hours to just get to one event.
Agreed. There is also a difference between an overnight trip and a day field trip of which many NEFIRST teams can realistically commute to their out of state competitions. We commuted to the DCMP this past year and are planning to commute to both of our district competitions whether they are in New Hampshire or Massachusetts.
Let's also not forget that last year CT teams were some of the only teams able to compete at two-three competitions in their own state. Both New Hampshire events were week 1 and week 2 meaning all but two teams traveled out of state to compete or be forced to compete back to back in the beginning of the season when robots/teams usually aren't ready. Massachusetts was doable in weeks 3 and 5 but demand filled both of those events fast.
For those of us who are competing in the southern half of the district (CT, MA, RI, and SNH) keep in mind that there are plenty of teams in Vermont, Nothern New Hampshire, and Maine who are forced to travel hours to just get to one event.
Absolutely true, we we're spoiled in 2014, and I was hoping to see Groton back again in 2015.
I am nervous about continued turnover in event locations year to year.
I don't think its a matter of complaining vs what other teams/areas have, its just about how things are adjusting in general.
Lil' Lavery
03-09-2014, 13:23
While I understand the concern, and fully appreciate that event organizers should focus on equity as much as possible, I can't help but enjoy the irony of New England and MAR teams who complain about district allocaiton. Compared the vast majority of FRC, we have it made.
BrendanB
03-09-2014, 13:28
Absolutely true, we we're spoiled in 2014, and I was hoping to see Groton back again in 2015.
I am nervous about continued turnover in event locations year to year.
This is a good concern. I also hope we don't see districts change too much year to year because its nice to know your events. Additionally its good for communities/teams/sponsors to build up their events locally and see them branch out with new teams in neighboring towns along with potential for more community support from local businesses. Its sad to see 195 and 2168 lose their home events.
One change I was happy to see was UNH is being held in the Whittemore Center Arena! Last year's venue worked but one hallway for robots to get to the field with a ramp and having to walk outside to get from the pits to the fields wasn't the most ideal.
indubitably
03-09-2014, 13:33
Make sure you bring that up at FIRST's next "What Events Are In My Area (http://www.usfirst.org/whats-going-on)" website design meeting, where you have to re-click e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g to find out what's happening in my multi-state District event :confused:
ctrl + click, does the search in a new tab and leaves the search page open with all of your selections.
pastelpony
03-09-2014, 16:30
Agreed. There is also a difference between an overnight trip and a day field trip of which many NEFIRST teams can realistically commute to their out of state competitions. We commuted to the DCMP this past year and are planning to commute to both of our district competitions whether they are in New Hampshire or Massachusetts.
Let's also not forget that last year CT teams were some of the only teams able to compete at two-three competitions in their own state. Both New Hampshire events were week 1 and week 2 meaning all but two teams traveled out of state to compete or be forced to compete back to back in the beginning of the season when robots/teams usually aren't ready. Massachusetts was doable in weeks 3 and 5 but demand filled both of those events fast.
For those of us who are competing in the southern half of the district (CT, MA, RI, and SNH) keep in mind that there are plenty of teams in Vermont, Nothern New Hampshire, and Maine who are forced to travel hours to just get to one event.
Absolutely true. It was so easy for us to go to our first two events (Southington and Hartford) because both are less than an hour away. I met teams in Southington abd Hartford who travelled hours to get to Connecticut so they wouldn't have to compete in week 1 and 2 events. I also heard that Maine teams had to travel hours to go to the closest event when we were at Pine Tree.
Anyway, I'm happy that my team now has a home event (though it isn't at our school.)
Not entirely sure if this was already mentioned, but:
Festival de Robotique FRC a Montreal Regional - Week 4
Drew4564
03-09-2014, 18:44
I also heard that Maine teams had to travel hours to go to the closest event when we were at Pine Tree.
This is very true, but unavoidable. For my team, Pine Tree was a minimum of a 2 hour drive, and any other event is upwards of 3 and a half hours. Unfortunately, the numbers aren't there for another Maine event, but who knows what the future will bring.
CTbiker105
03-09-2014, 19:00
Very disappointed to see where the NECMP is being held. WPI simply will not be able to comfortably accommodate the number of teams competing.
Chris is me
03-09-2014, 19:05
Very disappointed to see where the NECMP is being held. WPI simply will not be able to comfortably accommodate the number of teams competing.
Honestly, WPI was fairly close to full in 2013 when it had 40-ish teams. Pits were pretty much at capacity; there was some room in the stands left over but that was probably in large part due to the snowstorm forcing 6 teams to head home. I guess we'll see how the District Championship works out, but it will certainly be a challenge.
Francis-134
03-09-2014, 19:14
Very disappointed to see where the NECMP is being held. WPI simply will not be able to comfortably accommodate the number of teams competing.
I find your comment most perplexing. First, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
cadandcookies
03-09-2014, 19:31
I find your comment most perplexing. First, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
Speaking as somebody with absolutely no horse in the race, so to speak, the issues I've seen in this thread mostly aren't whether it is possible to hold the event at WPI (I think the majority trust that the planning committee on this point), but rather it will be of the same quality as last year's championships. I can't speak to that either, as I only watched them online-- and from a computer screen both WPI and the NE champs last year looked like quality events. But we all know that there's a lot more to making an event pleasant both to experience and compete in than what the field looks like or what how good the webcast is.
I also think that the previous posts concerning WPI hosting the NE championships have been pretty clear, and it would make sense to directly address those concerns (but like I said, I don't have much of an opinion other than hoping that everyone can have the best possible event, so take my opinion for what it is: that of a vaguely interested and hardly invested bystander).
I find your comment most perplexing. First, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
It's not really that the facility is unable to accommodate a DCMP, it's that it may not be the best option due to some very valid concerns brought up in this thread (which includes potential overcrowding in the pits).
In MAR, many have expressed that Lehigh is not a great venue for our DCMP for a few reasons, mainly its distance from the majority of MAR teams, despite being much cheaper than the previous venue at Temple. MAR has been very transparent and have stated they are actively considering moving our DCMP to a more suitable venue, like Princeton.
No venue is perfect, and each venue has its own list of pros and cons, Lehigh and WPI included. This is not a negative reflection on NEFIRST's part, or a failure for that matter, but some see it as a step in the wrong direction. Of course, I don't claim to know the factors behind the move, but I'm sure NEFIRST is doing its best to accommodate teams, and some factors are beyond their control.
I find your comment most perplexing. First, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
Have you ever been to battlecry? WPI is not a great venue. The pits are pretty bad when you have lots of teams. From what I've heard, Boston was a really nice place, and WPI seems like a step down.
Steven Donow
03-09-2014, 19:43
I find your comment most perplexing. First, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
The big kicker for me is that we're moving from a D1 hockey arena of one of the top hockey schools in the country to a D3 basketball court at a school not known for its sports. Now, I haven't been to WPI for a robotics event (but I have been in the gym) but I just can't imagine an event there feeling as large as BU (of course however, that brings up another debate about what makes a good event/"big" event).
In regards to pits, is there a pitmap for Battlecry this year? I was only able to find the pit map for the district, and even that looked tight(of course, I'll gladly be proven wrong with a different layout).
Francis-134
03-09-2014, 19:55
Thank you guys for specifics! To be honest, what irritates me most is blanket statements made without specifics, or even general reasoning behind them. Brendan, Steven and others made great contributions to the discussion, airing their concerns for the new venue, which I think everyone can benefit from.
CD is a discussion forum, not a place to air dirty laundry. Let's discuss some stuff! Even if you don't have an answer, at least say what the problem is.
cadandcookies
03-09-2014, 19:58
Have you ever been to battlecry? WPI is not a great venue. The pits are pretty bad when you have lots of teams. From what I've heard, Boston was a really nice place, and WPI seems like a step down.
Considering his team is 190 (Gompei and the Herd, based at WPI), and his location is Worcester, MA, I would say there's a pretty good chance. There are nice things about people having filled out their information (if you want to be essentially anonymous, go ahead, but I'm at least more likely to trust someone that I can tell something about as opposed to someone that has almost no public info).
Blanket statements from someone who may or may not have any first hand knowledge and words it in a rather belligerent way basically sums up everything I try to avoid on Chief; place water on the fire, not more fuel.
BrendanB
03-09-2014, 19:59
I find your comment most perplexing. First, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
I believe that what many of us are concerned about at WPI primarily is centered around the pit area of WPI. I've been to Battlecry since 2008 and have been a spectator at the WPI regional.
The renovation in 2012 really helped open up the spectator seating in 2013 making it a much more comfortable venue although the seating is a little shallow making the walking aisle a blockade for spectators but that's not a huge issue.
Food wise there isn't as much within immediate walking distance. There were several concession stands around the concourse of the arena in Boston plus many restaurants within two blocks. There are food choices around but less immediately inside the venue and again within several blocks of the Harrington arena. Even once you exit the campus you have to go a few blocks for a few restaurants and sub shops. In the past BC has done a BBQ on the first night with box lunches on day two coupled with a small snack area. I'd be interested to hear if there are plans to bring in extra food. Food trucks?! :)
The pits are a pretty awkward shape being a right triangle giving you a good amount of square footage just in a very odd formation for 10'x10" pits plus aisles. Over the past few events many teams had a hard time exiting their pits (sometimes through other pits so I've heard) and navigating through traffic since a majority of the teams are using a common aisle whereas a standard hockey arena can have three long aisles running front to back and one on each end connecting them to spread the traffic out.
To fit in the extra teams there is the small loading dock area which is where our pit was setup in 2013 (this year we were in the main room) which hasn't had the best of setups over the past two years to again fit a 10'x10' pit plus walking area. Last year we had to keep our pit stuff shallow so carts could maneuver around us and this year they had a new layout that looked tighter.
There is no cell service in the pits which is a huge downside unless you are one of the lucky higher numbered teams in the loading dock area which gets cell service.
The low ceilings in both rooms add to the feeling of claustrophobia and make it feel smaller/louder. The only other event I've competed at with ceilings so low was Bash at the Beach when the pits were in hallways.
I have big concerns for the pits being able to handle a large event like the District Championship. I know team wise WPI has hosted a 60 team event however very few teams had all of their team members plus families in attendance. There were no school tours/public audience like we saw this past year. We had a group of 30 school kids outside our pit for 15 minutes one day. With one common aisle at the DCMP any crowd will shutdown a majority of the pits and the main walkway to the field.
Travel wise WPI is a much better venue to host teams. Hotels in and around Boston were very expensive and far away from the venue. We ended up canceling our hotel reservation because we were staying 30 minutes away (where reasonable prices were) and we decided that leaving an hour and a half earlier to beat the traffic into Boston (another plus about WPI) was worth saving some money.
Load in will be easier at WPI!
I do not mean to come off sounding negative towards NEFIRST, WPI, or the volunteers who have put on Battlecry/WPI Regionals/District. They have all been fantastic events like no other I've attended. I'm just mostly concerned about what happens when the robots aren't on the field and the traffic jam in the tiny pits since the DCMP attracts more bodies in the door compared to what WPI has seen. There are many positives to moving the venue to WPI.
Just some thoughts and I know the event committee will do their best to tackles these problems however I know many of them cannot be fixed due to the venue itself.
plnyyanks
03-09-2014, 20:02
Just to add this to the existing discussion, there was some discussion about the pros/cons of WPI as a venue in this thread (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130317) a little while ago.
The big kicker for me is that we're moving from a D1 hockey arena of one of the top hockey schools in the country to a D3 basketball court at a school not known for its sports. Now, I haven't been to WPI for a robotics event (but I have been in the gym) but I just can't imagine an event there feeling as large as BU (of course however, that brings up another debate about what makes a good event/"big" event).
In regards to pits, is there a pitmap for Battlecry this year? I was only able to find the pit map for the district, and even that looked tight(of course, I'll gladly be proven wrong with a different layout).
I wouldn't worry about the "feel" of the event at all. WPI knows how to put on a show, and have been doing so for years and years. They have the support of WPI Lens and Light for A/V, and the atmosphere in the arena is every bit as good as, if not better than, at a hockey arena. And WPI may not be known for their traditional sports, but they are certainty known for their robotics programs and activities. Ever since the expansion to both sides of the bleachers, there haven't been any problems with seating. Even before then, WPI put on 40+ team battlecry events, and always seemed to squeeze a little more out of their bleachers. I'm sure it'll be fine.
In regards to the pits, for battlecry, the loading dock area is also used for pit space. Even so, things were rather cramped this past battlecry, with few walkways and some very convoluted paths through the pits for some teams. WPI has tried a lot of things out in regards to pit arraignement in the past few years, and I am sure they have further innovations up their sleeves. Perhaps moving some pits underneath the bleachers, or even upstairs into the (absolutely phenominal) practice area would help alleviate some of the space concerns.
Some upsides to WPI as a venue that no one here is talking about:
Like boston, a location very central to most NE teams
Donated venue, which saves NE FIRST money and allows them to put it directly towards the teams, improving other events, and other things we'd all love to see
The best practice setup in FIRST outside of the Championship. The spare NE field, elements and all, is fully set up in the upstairs basketball court (accessable through a rather large elevator), along with several traditional wooden quarter-field setups.
Excellent onsite machine shop
No restrictions on food brought into the venue
For reference, I've been to every WPI FRC event since Battlecry 8 as either a competitor or a spectator.
irst, I would assume that the NEFIRST committee is not just blind-picking events, but is doing homework on where to put them. It is their job to find a suitable location, taking into account a number of factors, and I would hesitate to assume they failed in this capacity.
I do have my concerns about DCMP being held at WPI this year and the venue' capability, mainly concerning pit space. With that said, I want to re-stress what Francis mentioned here. I know the NE FIRST leadership took choosing where to have DCMP very seriously, and weighed several options and venues. They looked at all aspects of choosing a venue, both in the venue itself, the local volunteer support, and the surrounding area resources (hotels, attractions, etc.) They certainly did their homework.
If things end up not working out to satisfactory conditions, I'm sure district leadership will look to make changes. Until then though, give NE FIRST the benefit of a doubt, and give WPI a chance to prove themselves.
At the end of the day, (for NE or elsewhere), whether your happy with this years schedule or not, it is set in stone. Focus on making upcoming season as great as you can. To those behind the scenes who aren't as happy with where things fell, just focus on giving the teams the best experience possible. After all, in the end thats what matters. :)
PayneTrain
03-09-2014, 20:10
Have you ever been to battlecry? WPI is not a great venue. The pits are pretty bad when you have lots of teams. From what I've heard, Boston was a really nice place, and WPI seems like a step down.
Francis is the Director of Fun for Battlecry@WPI. It's one of the things in FRC that has earned all of its positive reputation, imo.
BrendanB
03-09-2014, 21:54
For reference the pit map for the 2014 WPI District event with 40 teams in attendance is located here thanks to a post by David Givens in a linked thread. With 40 teams with 9x9 pits the pit is fine although no one prefers a 9x9 pit.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/52xf9sc3udv9jl8/WPI_District_RobotPits2014_Final.pdf
To fit the additional teams from Battlecry that was planned to be a 60 team event (ended up being 59) the empty space along the top wall is filled to add more pits and the space in the loading dock was used (roughly 10 teams give or take IIRC). The loading dock is located down a short hallway off the to the top left where it says, "Pit Admin". The pit size was also slightly smaller than 9x9.
Andrew Schreiber
04-09-2014, 08:42
Does it really matter? We are all NE FIRST. The only thing that should matter is that there are 10 events evenly distributed. Or at least pretty close to equal mileage to the concentrations of teams. ..."state lines are kinda silly distinctions."
Ignoring those silly distinctions the distribution actually looks really nice. The really remote teams (Northern Maine, Vermont) have a hike but, otherwise, it's not too bad looking.
Ignoring those silly distinctions the distribution actually looks really nice. The really remote teams (Northern Maine, Vermont) have a hike but, otherwise, it's not too bad looking.
The UMASS (Dartmouth, MA) District is seems out of the main densities but otherwise the placements look excellent based on actual team distribution.
BrendanB
04-09-2014, 09:16
The UMASS (Dartmouth, MA) District is seems out of the main densities but otherwise the placements look excellent based on actual team distribution.
It does look a little out of the way but it is within 1-1.5 hours for teams in the Worcester/Boston/Rhode Island area which is close to how far we traveled to get to events at UNH, NEU, WPI, and BU. Maybe 2015 rookie registration will add more teams in that corner of the region?
Either way nice work NEFIRST getting events close to teams! Hopefully we can see a northern NH/VT event soon.
Steven Donow
04-09-2014, 09:16
Ignoring those silly distinctions the distribution actually looks really nice. The really remote teams (Northern Maine, Vermont) have a hike but, otherwise, it's not too bad looking.
I figured this would end up being the case. Unsurprising, this makes the district placement more logical than basing it off of team population. Can you do a map for the districts last year?
Andrew Schreiber
04-09-2014, 09:22
I figured this would end up being the case. Unsurprising, this makes the district placement more logical than basing it off of team population. Can you do a map for the districts last year?
With 2014 teams or 2013 teams? I can do it tonight in either case.
On a related note, does anyone actually know how the MAR region is defined? I know NJ,DE and some parts of PA but I have no idea where that boundary is. Halp?
Cody Burd
04-09-2014, 09:28
With 2014 teams or 2013 teams? I can do it tonight in either case.
On a related note, does anyone actually know how the MAR region is defined? I know NJ,DE and some parts of PA but I have no idea where that boundary is. Halp?
I believe that up to about Harrisburg is where the MAR region ends.
Andrew Schreiber
04-09-2014, 09:35
I believe that up to about Harrisburg is where the MAR region ends.
If someone can confirm this I'm fairly certain I can do similar maps for each district. Or, if someone has a list of the various teams I can filter by that too...
Mark McLeod
04-09-2014, 09:43
Here's a PA map delineating the counties participating in MAR when they first drew the line.
Jessica Boucher
04-09-2014, 09:45
One thing to add here: it has always been the intention that the District Championship in New England would rotate.
When we started discussions, many joked that it was bringing the "five families" together. Each of the original regionals had very distinctive pros and cons. Add on top of that, many of the states (MA excluded) are experiencing "brain drains" as the youth leave for more lucrative regions. To help fulfill the overarching mission to promote STEM with FIRST through all of New England, we want the teams to see all that New England has to offer and encourage them to stick around.
Any New Englander knows all the states are slightly different, and there's really a place for everyone. By rotating there will be years where teams have an easier trip, and other times they may need to travel. The goal is by the end of a 4 year term, a student will have visited many places in New England (including numerous colleges) which might be a good fit. We hope to make the logistics as easy as possible for the DCMP by announcing the venue early and fitting the schedule to include buffers.
What that rotation will look like in the future remains to be seen. Will we do two-year contracts? Will we settle into a pattern to give committees more time to prepare? I can say that we will do what the teams do best: run with an idea, and iterate along the way to best fulfill the challenge.
Andrew Schreiber
04-09-2014, 09:46
Here's a PA map delineating the counties participating in MAR when they first drew the line.
Ugh, FIRST, you're killing me. I'll see what I can do tonight then.
Kevin Pardus
04-09-2014, 10:01
Not entirely sure if this was already mentioned, but:
Festival de Robotique FRC a Montreal Regional - Week 4
Two additional events were posted yesterday, as well (bring to 77 the total number of events posted):
Greater Toronto East Regional - Week 3
IN District Event #3 - Week 4
Still missing IN Championship.
Update: Two more events were posted this morning (bring to 79 the total number of events posted, so far):
Waterloo Regional - Week 4
North Bay Regional - Week 5
Just three weeks remain until registration begins.
Rosiebotboss
04-09-2014, 11:15
The UMASS (Dartmouth, MA) District is seems out of the main densities but otherwise the placements look excellent based on actual team distribution.
UMass Dartmouth was chosen (among other reasons) for its proximity to a growth area. There are several "pre rookies" I (and others) are working with to bring them into the fold. "Build it and they will come."
UMass Dartmouth was chosen (among other reasons) for its proximity to a growth area. There are several "pre rookies" I (and others) are working with to bring them into the fold. "Build it and they will come."
Sounds good Dana, I suspected it might be an area for growth.
Peyton Yeung
04-09-2014, 12:16
Still missing IN Championship.
Indiana District Event locations and dates for 2015 have been announced by Indiana FIRST. These should be on the FIRST website soon.
State Championship
- Week 6, 4/3‐4 (Fri & Sat)‐ Warren Central High School, Indianapolis
Emphasis mine
Tom Bottiglieri
04-09-2014, 13:00
Two additional events were posted yesterday, as well (bring to 77 the total number of events posted):
Greater Toronto East Regional - Week 3
IN District Event #3 - Week 4
Still missing IN Championship.
Update: Two more events were posted this morning (bring to 79 the total number of events posted, so far):
Waterloo Regional - Week 4
North Bay Regional - Week 5
Just three weeks remain until registration begins.
254 is looking for a week 4 regional :P
Lil' Lavery
04-09-2014, 13:19
254 is looking for a week 4 regional :P
The Virginia Regional is week 4. ;) :cool:
The Virginia Regional is week 4. ;) :cool:
I hear they have the best FTA and field crew. :cool:
Wetzel
New York Tech Valley has been posted to week four (which personally is a big deal for me because that means I'm now going back to Orlando in week 3)and we have our first week six event Windsor Essex Great Lakes.
CTbiker105
04-09-2014, 19:04
CD is a discussion forum, not a place to air dirty laundry. Let's discuss some stuff! Even if you don't have an answer, at least say what the problem is.
My apologies for not stating any specific problems in my original post. I realize how it appears to be a blanket statement without anything in particular being pointed out, but I was posting from my phone during a team meeting that was being held in an 85+ degree room, so I wrote it and posted fairly quickly. I probably should have waited to get home to post something with valid points in it backing up my original claim.
From my perspective, I don't believe there'll be enough seating at WPI to comfortably accommodate as many teams as Boston University was able to (or maybe I'm just upset that scouters won't get VIP box seats again...).
Additionally, the facility held a 60 team, two day event only 4 months ago. The venue seating is likely large enough, and there is ample hotel space within 15 minutes of WPI.
Can you elaborate on how you think the facility would not be able to hold the event? What specifically do you think would make the facility unable to accommodate a DCMP?
I was at that event, and it was crowded and uncomfortable in the "robot pits" aka corner of the campus athletics center. Not exactly a place I'd like to take a team sponsor or a middle school group for tours (as frequently happened at Boston).
IMO, the DCMP should be the biggest, flashiest, most public-friendly event in the area, and cramped pits just aren't very welcoming.
Full disclosure: I was on the Boston regional committee when it was a regional, I am a student at WPI and appreciate their efforts in the FIRST community, and I just really don't like small crowded pits & think they are an unfortunate side effect of districts. My views are entirely my own and I do not intend to imply anyone else's. That's about all the relevant side notes I think I need to include.
PayneTrain
05-09-2014, 11:48
I'm sure the NY teams are thrilled by the fact that if they trend to the southern side of the state, the regional dates fall on Week 3 (NYC) and Week 4 (Long Island). If they're in upstate New York, they get to go to Tech Valley on Week 4 or FLR Week 5.
If you're an NY team and want to go to 2 regionals, you have to either
a) do back to back weeks
b) cover the entire length of the state (and that's if you want to only do an NYC/FLR jaunt)
c) drive down to College Park, MD, California, PA, or Cleveland, OH or any points further away that.
I mean, for what it's worth, I'm used to the thrill of having the three closest regionals to me sharing 2 weekends, but I'm not asked to search for flights to go to the next closest one after that.
I'm sure the NY teams are thrilled by the fact that if they trend to the southern side of the state, the regional dates fall on Week 3 (NYC) and Week 4 (Long Island). If they're in upstate New York, they get to go to Tech Valley on Week 4 or FLR Week 5.
If you're an NY team and want to go to 2 regionals, you have to either
a) do back to back weeks
b) cover the entire length of the state (and that's if you want to only do an NYC/FLR jaunt)
c) drive down to College Park, MD, California, PA, or Cleveland, OH or any points further away that.
I mean, for what it's worth, I'm used to the thrill of having the three closest regionals to me sharing 2 weekends, but I'm not asked to search for flights to go to the next closest one after that.
For a lot of upstate teams, Canadian regionals are closer. Perhaps more paperwork for an international trip, but closer. For what it's worth, 2914 is planning to travel internationally this year for the first time. Out of state travel might be easier when you don't live in a state though.
Wetzel
PayneTrain
05-09-2014, 12:18
For a lot of upstate teams, Canadian regionals are closer. Perhaps more paperwork for an international trip, but closer. For what it's worth, 2914 is planning to travel internationally this year for the first time. Out of state travel might be easier when you don't live in a state though.
Wetzel
You bringing the team with you to Mexico City this time?
dougwilliams
05-09-2014, 13:19
...
If you're an NY team and want to go to 2 regionals, you have to either
...
c) drive down to College Park, MD, California, PA, or Cleveland, OH or any points further away that.
...
Or do what we did last year and are considering for this year as well - go to the Virginia Regional again! We actually did NY Tech Valley and Virginia last year and that worked out great, but with them hosted the same week this year that's impossible.
We like Virginia a lot, but the appeal of an upstate NY regional is also hard to beat. I wish one of the upstate NY events was earlier in the season...
Chris is me
05-09-2014, 13:50
I'm sure the NY teams are thrilled by the fact that if they trend to the southern side of the state, the regional dates fall on Week 3 (NYC) and Week 4 (Long Island). If they're in upstate New York, they get to go to Tech Valley on Week 4 or FLR Week 5.
If you're an NY team and want to go to 2 regionals, you have to either
a) do back to back weeks
b) cover the entire length of the state (and that's if you want to only do an NYC/FLR jaunt)
c) drive down to College Park, MD, California, PA, or Cleveland, OH or any points further away that.
I mean, for what it's worth, I'm used to the thrill of having the three closest regionals to me sharing 2 weekends, but I'm not asked to search for flights to go to the next closest one after that.
Ontario events are slightly closer, but then again the border is a non starter for a lot of teams. Montreal is the same week as TVR so even though that's arguably our second closest regional (!!!) it's not an option. Districts closing their borders to us have left us between a rock and a hard place.
Meredith Novak
05-09-2014, 16:07
Districts closing their borders to us have left us between a rock and a hard place.
You could come to the "Rock." Arkansas Rock City Regional is near the very nice Bill and Hillary Clinton Airport!
Kevin Pardus
08-09-2014, 10:22
Two and a half weeks (17 days) remain until Registration begins on 25 Sep 14. So far, only 32 Regional events have been posted. The posting of District related events seems to be almost complete (still missing IN District Championship). I hope that by the time we are two weeks out, we have a complete list of events so teams can start considering which events to attend and begin planning their travel.
The Indiana State Championship is Week 6 (4/3-4/4) at Warren Central High School in Indianapolis.
source (http://indianafirst.rarebirdinc.com/files/9-2-2014_-District_Event_Site_Selection.pdf)
MARS_James
08-09-2014, 17:54
We just got an email confirming South Florida's move to a week 1 event, can't say I am to happy about that but it is what it is
bigbeezy
09-09-2014, 11:45
Any word on either Midwest Regional or Central Illinois?
Any word on either Midwest Regional or Central Illinois?
If Central Illinois is held at the Avanti's Dome again, it will have to be a week one regional, as that is the only weekend open on their calendar of events (http://www.avantisdome.com/index.php?option=com_rsevents&view=calendar&Itemid=489).
Gary Dillard
09-09-2014, 18:08
Peachtree regional (Atlanta) will be March 27-29. Fri-Sun, if I wrote the dates down correctly, at the GWCC. It will be a little smaller plus a second Georgia regional tentatively in Perry, GA early season. This was announced in the mentor advisory meeting last Sat (2014.08.16).
Hey Frank, I've been carrying your Friday-Sunday dates in my unofficial list except that today I noticed that they were different from this post (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130361), which says traditional Thursday-Saturday for Peachtree. Any other word floating around, since still nothing official on the FIRST website?
Any word yet on what week the Hub City regional will be? With Dallas being week 1 this year, it seems like Lubbock may have to be later in the season to account for the number of teams that usually go to both.
AllenGregoryIV
09-09-2014, 18:37
Any word yet on what week the Hub City regional will be? With Dallas being week 1 this year, it seems like Lubbock may have to be later in the season to account for the number of teams that usually go to both.
I've heard it's week 5 but I don't know if that's official.
sanddrag
09-09-2014, 20:04
Still waiting on dates for San Diego and to see if this new Ventura regional happens and when that will be. Also, is Vegas out for sure? Is there another Phoenix? Things in the southwest here are still rather uncertain it seems.:D
ghostmachine360
09-09-2014, 20:09
Hey Frank, I've been carrying your Friday-Sunday dates in my unofficial list except that today I noticed that they were different from this post (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130361), which says traditional Thursday-Saturday for Peachtree. Any other word floating around, since still nothing official on the FIRST website?
Peachtree will remain a traditional T-F-S.
Still waiting on dates for San Diego and to see if this new Ventura regional happens and when that will be. Also, is Vegas out for sure? Is there another Phoenix? Things in the southwest here are still rather uncertain it seems.:D
Vegas alive... Week 5 and unofficial till FIRST posts on website.
Kingland093
09-09-2014, 21:54
Any word on 10,000 Lakes/North Star?
I'm assuming it's still Week 5 at Williams and Mariucci respectively
Any word on 10,000 Lakes/North Star?
I'm assuming it's still Week 5 at Williams and Mariucci respectively
Someone from my team said that the dates were posted somewhere on the MSHSL website and that they are week 5. The event dates still haven't been announced by first yet though.
Someone from my team said that the dates were posted somewhere on the MSHSL website and that they are week 5. The event dates still haven't been announced by first yet though.
Here is the link to where it says it on the MSHSL website :cool:
http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/robotics.asp
Vegas alive... Week 5 and unofficial till FIRST posts on website.
Hhhmmmm. Going to make my Volunteering choice more difficult this time if that is the case. Now I really am looking forward to Vegas and Phoenix West posting. I haven't seen any rumor yet on which week Phoenix West would be other than my own earlier guesses which had Vegas at Week 6 like the recent past, which it appears is wrong.
Btw, great pics/story from China. That looked like a lot of fun and I loved the white field.
Nathan Rossi
10-09-2014, 01:23
Still waiting on dates for San Diego and to see if this new Ventura regional happens and when that will be. Also, is Vegas out for sure? Is there another Phoenix? Things in the southwest here are still rather uncertain it seems.:D
Unofficially, Phoenix West appears to be week 6, April 1st-4th.
Source: http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp722954.jsp
Unofficially, Phoenix West appears to be week 6, April 1st-4th.
Source: http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp722954.jsp
Thank you Mr. Rossi. I had no idea that site existed. Now if only it would get posted officially.
It's looking like VCU-DC-Chesapeake will be back-to-back-to-back again, with Chesapeake being week 6.
Wetzel
PayneTrain
10-09-2014, 08:25
It's looking like VCU-DC-Chesapeake will be back-to-back-to-back again, with Chesapeake being week 6.
Wetzel
Good news for people who love bad news.
Jon Stratis
10-09-2014, 08:53
Here is the link to where it says it on the MSHSL website :cool:
http://www.mshsl.org/mshsl/robotics.asp
Please keep in mind that MSHSL hosts the state tournament, nothing else. I would not consider that page in any way official. Last I heard (a few days ago), the contract had not yet been signed with the U.
Qbot2640
10-09-2014, 09:52
It's looking like VCU-DC-Chesapeake will be back-to-back-to-back again, with Chesapeake being week 6.
Wetzel
Is this confirmed...I can't find anything.
cadandcookies
10-09-2014, 10:17
Is this confirmed...I can't find anything.
Unless it is on the FIRST calendar, it is not confirmed.
PayneTrain
10-09-2014, 10:32
Is this confirmed...I can't find anything.
As he's one of the FTAs in the region he probably has more knowledge than the average bear.
I've heard this as well, but it's hearsay. I'd bank on it being Week 6 even though a Week 2 would be awesome for the event.
Unless it is on the FIRST calendar, it is not confirmed.
There's a bit of a delay for FIRST to post the events on their calendar. An event is official when the contract is signed with the venue.
Hey Frank, I've been carrying your Friday-Sunday dates in my unofficial list except that today I noticed that they were different from this post (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130361), which says traditional Thursday-Saturday for Peachtree. Any other word floating around, since still nothing official on the FIRST website?
I would go with Kyle's answer that is TFS. That is whats on the GA First FB page. The new Georgia regional in Perry (reportedly week 1) could go either way.
M. Mellott
10-09-2014, 12:47
Any word on the Ohio area? We've heard about Greater Pittsburgh (week 4, which is also OGT week), but what about Buckeye, Queen City, or even down in Smokey Mountain. With Indiana now closed off to us, people are starting to get concerned over here.
Gary Dillard
10-09-2014, 13:17
Any word on the Ohio area? We've heard about Greater Pittsburgh (week 4, which is also OGT week), but what about Buckeye, Queen City, or even down in Smokey Mountain. With Indiana now closed off to us, people are starting to get concerned over here.
Maybe we need to start a new thread with all of the rumored dates up front to be updated - I posted the Smoky Mountain (not Smokey, he's a bear) a few pages back but it's hard to hunt through them. Week 6, according to the regional director but they hadn't confirmed yet.
MrTechCenter
10-09-2014, 13:45
I'm a little worried that only two of California's regionals have been posted and the first regional registration date is quickly approaching.
rick.oliver
10-09-2014, 15:36
Any word on the Ohio area? We've heard about Greater Pittsburgh (week 4, which is also OGT week), but what about Buckeye, Queen City, or even down in Smokey Mountain. With Indiana now closed off to us, people are starting to get concerned over here.
The FIRST Site shows Greater Pittsburgh as Week 2, which happens to be OGT for our school.
Is this confirmed...I can't find anything.
A contract hasn't been signed yet and it is not offical, but I don't expect the date to change.
...An event is official when the contract is signed with the venue.
Not exactly. With FIRST allowing registration for events 6-7 months in advance, sometimes contracts are not signed until weeks before the event takes place. This is not by choice, but some of the smaller/newer venues (i.e. districts) have to hash out details for a while before a contract is signed.
Gary Dillard
10-09-2014, 16:30
From the original FRC Blog Post (and the first post in this thread):
.... ‘Confirmed’ means either that FIRST HQ has a signed agreement with the venue, or that District organizers have passed along to us firm information on their events.....Events will be posted not later than a week or so after the information is confirmed.
So it sounds like for Regionals it means they have a signed contract, for Districts I guess the interpretation of "firm information" is up to the District organizers.
Gary Dillard
11-09-2014, 10:39
Maybe we need to start a new thread with all of the rumored dates up front to be updated.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=130504
M. Mellott
11-09-2014, 12:27
The FIRST Site shows Greater Pittsburgh as Week 2, which happens to be OGT for our school.
Gary and Rick...Thank you both! My brain wasn't working yesterday...
Kevin Pardus
12-09-2014, 09:42
Yesterday, finally posted: IN District Championship - Week 6
It was great this season that dates for events began posting earlier than any season prior, especially for the District events. But it ended up worst for Regional events, with a very large number still not confirmed less than two weeks until registration. Only 32 Regional events have been posted as confirmed so far.
EDIT: See the link below to the CD Thread listing all possible Regional events awaiting confirmation:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=130504
Currently shows 22 Regional events with no confirmed dates/venues.
Kevin Pardus
13-09-2014, 09:56
Yesterday, another Regional was finally posted: Hub City - Week 5
That posting brings to 33 the total number of Regional events officially confirmed (61%), so far; while at least 21 Regional events continue to remain in official limbo (39%).
Edit: added in percentages
A ton of regionals were added today, as we approach the first registration date:
Georgia Southern Classic - Week 1
Central Illinois - Week 4
Buckeye - Week 5
Peachtree - Week 5
Colorado - Week 5
Silicon Valley - Week 6
Lone Star - Week 6
Midwest - Week 6
Chesapeake - Week 6
Smoky Mountains - Week 6
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