View Full Version : Championship Location Rumor
The standing rumor is that the championship is not going to be at Epcot. The latest rumor is that it will be in a dome stadium and it is a dome that opens. And it will be in a city that already has a regional. That narrows it down to either Huston or Phoeniz. I will guess Phoeniz. We will know for sure within one week.
If this is true, we will soon find out which students are in FIRST for the right reasons and which are in it for a trip to Disney. I personally am tired of Disney and will welcome the change.
I continue to hear Houston as a possibility.
If you look at the options that Raul mentioned, Houston and Phoenix, I think Houston has the lead for a few reasons.
- The hotel situation is marginally better in Houston
- Houston is a more central location
- There are more daily flights in and out of Houston's airport
- With NASA's connection to both the city of Houston and FIRST it seems natural
The latest rumor is that it will be in a dome stadium and it is a dome that opens.
If this is true there are a few more remote possibilities. Toronto's Skydome for one. I'm not sure if FIRST is ready to take nationals across the border, but a Torontonian can dream...
We'll see how all this plays out in the next few days. Although, for now I think Houston has become the front runner.
- Karthik
Joe Matt
06-11-2002, 11:13
We already have a thread about this lalalalalalala. :mad:
Jeff Waegelin
06-11-2002, 12:02
True, but this is a more focused point. It could go in the other thread, but it may not need to.
Wayne C.
06-11-2002, 12:02
assuming Houston is the choice- what off hour, accessible activities are there for large groups of students and how is the surface transportation?
what is the hotel situation near this "large domed stadium"- AKA the Astrodome?
Anybody have info to offer?
WC
:cool:
Check out this link for information on Hotels and other tourist issues in Houston.
http://www.houston-guide.com/press/tourism.htm
- Karthik (Hopes the cart isn't too far ahead of the horse)
Andy Baker
06-11-2002, 12:26
From what was posted above, here is my guess:
Reliant Complex in Houston (http://www.sportsvenue-technology.com/projects/harris/)
Andy B.
WernerNYK
06-11-2002, 12:36
Wow that place is really nice, I wouldnt mind going there :-)
Kevin Sevcik
06-11-2002, 12:57
argh! I told you people a year ago that Houston would be a great place to move nationals to. But nooo.... It's not Disney, and there's nothing to do, and what building in Houston could possibly be big enough to contain nationals?
Yeah, the Reliant Complex is cool. The new Reliant Convention Center is state-of-the-art and really huge. The only real problem is that the Rodeo is in town Feb. 25th to Mar. 16th. That could cause a few problems.... but on the plus side, its something fun for the kids to do.
Anywhos, I'm gonna laugh at you all if it is in Houston. :D
Joe Matt
06-11-2002, 13:28
Here's an idea!
WAIT FOR THE ANOUNCEMENT UNTILL YOU GLOAT!!!
So innoventive! So amazing!
OneAngryDaisy
06-11-2002, 13:28
Hmm...
I gotta admit that'd be phat... the only problem is the Texans built this stadium for them and themselves only- the turf in it is probably permanent... we could theoretically cover it all up.. but that'd be tough...
and what about pit areas? this place is about as big as 2 football fields- EPCOT was much bigger
Originally posted by Wayne C.
assuming Houston is the choice- what off hour, accessible activities are there for large groups of students and how is the surface transportation?
what is the hotel situation near this "large domed stadium"- AKA the Astrodome?
Anybody have info to offer?
WC
:cool:
Six Flags Astroworld is across the 'street' (read: Interstate highway) from the Astrodome.
There is a bridge, so the surface transportation comes via Nike.
Just curious, where did anyone hear Houston anyway, It just seems too small for the nationals. I think it will be back in epcot. It is one of the only places big enough to accomodate the nationals in the first place.
Rob Colatutto
06-11-2002, 15:19
my guess would be that the idea hosting area would be somewhere around michigan, they have a lot of hotels, and it is centralized better
Kris Verdeyen
06-11-2002, 15:34
Originally posted by Mike371
Just curious, where did anyone hear Houston anyway, It just seems too small for the nationals. I think it will be back in epcot. It is one of the only places big enough to accomodate the nationals in the first place.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States. Any NFL football stadium in the country would have more available space than what Epcot gave us, and the Astrodome/Reliant complex has two stadiums, an arena, and two huge exhibition halls.
I will say one other thing:
If it is in a domed stadium at a major city, it will draw a lot more media coverage than Epcot does! Anytime you put a 3 day event in a major stadium, everyone there wonders what is going on.
I can just see the local headlines - "Robots Invade xxxx Stadium!"
Originally posted by OneAngryDaisy
Hmm...
I gotta admit that'd be phat... the only problem is the Texans built this stadium for them and themselves only- the turf in it is probably permanent... we could theoretically cover it all up.. but that'd be tough...
New playing field anyone?
:D
Wetzel
~~~~~~~~~~~
/me walks away nonchalantly
Kevin Sevcik
06-11-2002, 16:10
Originally posted by verdeyw
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States. Any NFL football stadium in the country would have more available space than what Epcot gave us, and the Astrodome/Reliant complex has two stadiums, an arena, and two huge exhibition halls.
Actually, we're down to one huge exhibition hall, and some extra exhibition space attached to the arena. They tore down most of the astrohall to make up for the parking taken up by the stadium and the new hall. but yeah. Anyone who says Houston is too small needs new glasses.
And to JosephM,
I did say I'd laugh IF it was in Houston. not when. sheesh.
Originally posted by Mike371
Just curious, where did anyone hear Houston anyway, It just seems too small for the nationals. I think it will be back in epcot. It is one of the only places big enough to accomodate the nationals in the first place.
By looking at the qualities Raul listed, Pheonix and Houston are the only two options within the USA. As for where those qualities came from, I have no idea, but I do know that Raul usually knows what he's talking about...
Originally posted by Wetzel
New playing field anyone?
:D
Wetzel
~~~~~~~~~~~
/me walks away nonchalantly
oooohhhh. football playing robots.(begins to drool)
DaBruteForceGuy
06-11-2002, 16:39
Yea, NTS. really wasn't THAT huge anyway. I mean it was enormous in the grand, overall scale, but the actual feilda and tents seemed like thay could fit in any oversized theme park or stadium parking-lot. I mean, the rides and the whole park definitly helped to accomodate us nicely :rolleyes:, but when it comes to necessity the astrodome does have more than anough room to accomodate us. "and anyway, Six Flag's thrill rides show-up disney's any day"
Flights are Cheaper if you fly from Manchester (where FIRST is based) to Texas than it is to Arizona, if that is ANY indication I have no idea...
Redhead Jokes
06-11-2002, 17:17
http://www.bcrobotics.org/20022003/images/pressr1.jpg
Mira Costa High School and Redondo Union High School are rivals on the football playing field, and teammates on the robotic team. We hope that at our game next season we’ll have built a small robot carrying the ball and racing across the field. Our MCHS School Superintendent, Jerry Davis, said he’d chase after it! Our RUHS Superintendent, Bill Nunan, has good naturedly declined to say if he would.
Then Bill, not Jerry, asked to be on our team email list so he remains informed and an enthusiastic supporter of our team.
Kit Gerhart
06-11-2002, 17:19
Originally posted by Kevin Sevcik
Yeah, the Reliant Complex is cool. The new Reliant Convention Center is state-of-the-art and really huge. The only real problem is that the Rodeo is in town Feb. 25th to Mar. 16th. That could cause a few problems.... but on the plus side, its something fun for the kids to do.
Is Reliant connected with Enron?
Kevin Sevcik
06-11-2002, 17:25
Originally posted by Kit Gerhart
Is Reliant connected with Enron?
Umm.. no. Completely unrelated. In fact, they are/were competitors. Both in the natural gas and energy trading markets. Oddly enough, however, Reliant has been split into different companies thanks to deregulation. I dunno if any of them are still Reliant, but my dad's division is now CenterPoint Energy. Just a little random tidbit, there.....
Kit Gerhart
06-11-2002, 17:27
Originally posted by OneAngryDaisy
Hmm...
I gotta admit that'd be phat... the only problem is the Texans built this stadium for them and themselves only- the turf in it is probably permanent... we could theoretically cover it all up.. but that'd be tough...
The Astroturf would make a good playing field surface, but we might run up a really high bill for "damaging the carpet."
moogleslair
06-11-2002, 17:58
I am almost positive that the new Reliant stadium where the Texans play is grass. That was part of their feats as a new team, "Indoor grass playing field" I could be wrong though.
correction this site says it is natural grass. http://www.houstontexans.com/facility/index.cfm?cont_id=26701
where did this rumor about a dome in a regional host city come from?
OneAngryDaisy
06-11-2002, 20:07
Originally posted by Wetzel
New playing field anyone?
:D
perfect.. Finally we can use our school's new $1.6 million Nexturf field...
Originally posted by OneAngryDaisy
perfect.. Finally we can use our school's new $1.6 million Nexturf field...
holy crap, you guys got a NexTurf football field? thats do cool! it looks like real grass but it isnt.(ive walked on the field at Veterans Stadium in Philadelpha and they have it.)
Originally posted by OneAngryDaisy
perfect.. Finally we can use our school's new $1.6 million Nexturf field...
So - how much money does your school district budget for your team?
Joe Matt
06-11-2002, 20:44
Originally posted by M. Krass
So - how much money does your school district budget for your team?
$1.60. They can buy a soda for all of them to split. :D ;) :rolleyes:
nuggetsyl
06-11-2002, 20:50
OK i hate the fact that nationals is in houston. I work for a major airline that flies out of there and and soon and tickets are being bought in mass to there ticket prices will sky rocket only 2 majors fly out of there continental and southwest. I am warning all of you guys now get tickets early or you will not even get them at all later no matter how much you pay
Ricky Q.
06-11-2002, 20:58
Ummm, its not there yet....just settle :D
Chris Nowak
06-11-2002, 20:59
fact?
Originally posted by Chris Nowak
fact?
Nothing in the Rumour Mill is fact. That's why it's called a rumour.
Originally posted by Jnadke
Nothing in the Rumour Mill is fact. That's why it's called a rumour.
WHAT!?!?! SAY IT ISNT SO!
Jeff Waegelin
06-11-2002, 21:37
You're crushed, aren't you, MattK?
OneAngryDaisy
06-11-2002, 21:59
Originally posted by dixonij
holy crap, you guys got a NexTurf football field? thats do cool! it looks like real grass but it isnt.(ive walked on the field at Veterans Stadium in Philadelpha and they have it.)
you missed your chance- you could've gone on it during Ramp Riot....- and yeah the Vet has it- we were the 3rd place in the US to get the field...
and about the $ (1.6 spent)... basically our school is cutting so much stuff off the budget now (vocab books, new books, etc) it's not even funny.. I also don't know how much $ they give us.. but we're listed as "Wissahickon School District and Wissahickon High School" on FIRST's website..
The truth is- I'm actually not that mad about the field for a few reasons- lacrosse, gym class now rocks, and we get so much attention :)...
Joe Matt
06-11-2002, 22:17
Originally posted by OneAngryDaisy
you missed your chance- you could've gone on it during Ramp Riot....- and yeah the Vet has it- we were the 3rd place in the US to get the field...
and about the $ (1.6 spent)... basically our school is cutting so much stuff off the budget now (vocab books, new books, etc) it's not even funny.. I also don't know how much $ they give us.. but we're listed as "Wissahickon School District and Wissahickon High School" on FIRST's website..
The truth is- I'm actually happy we got the field for a few reasons- lacrosse, gym class now rocks, and we get so much attention :)...
It's sad when the school district gives into whiney (the most appropreate name for these people on these boards) parents who want the best for their precious future Fighting Irish. Give me a break. The chances of getting a scholarship for football is pretty low. And they use that field for, what, 6 games? Mabey it's multipurpose, so you can add soccer.
So now all the long term investments in books, supplies, and such are hurt for a fancy turf field.
Disgusting.
WernerNYK
06-11-2002, 22:48
Hmmm, $1.6 million can buy A LOT, wow...
OneAngryDaisy
06-11-2002, 22:51
Originally posted by JosephM
It's sad when the school district gives into whiney (the most appropreate name for these people on these boards) parents who want the best for their precious future Fighting Irish. Give me a break. The chances of getting a scholarship for football is pretty low. And they use that field for, what, 6 games? Mabey it's multipurpose, so you can add soccer.
So now all the long term investments in books, supplies, and such are hurt for a fancy turf field.
Disgusting.
That's how most of my classmates feel... there's been alot of animosity against the field.. and now they're cutting classes like Latin..
(the field is multipurpose- there's a game on it basically every night with field hockey, football, soccer, lacrosse, etc.. and since it's top quality we host a lot of state tournament games for all sports...)
those are pics of what the field looks like- (not from our field)
http://www.nexturf.com/images/nexturf_drawing.jpg
http://www.nexturf.com/images/wmu21.jpg
Todd Derbyshire
06-11-2002, 22:55
I know a very big indoor arena that could easily easily hold Nationals and is in a city that's flights run readily and hotels are all over the place. What such wonder of a city could I be talking about BOWSTON (Boston for those without the accent). What site am I suggesting the Bayside Expo Center its a huge place and it can easily be divided into many different fields indoors. Or you can do the parking lot thing there. However I think Boston would be a better choice than Houston I'm not knocking Houston its just that Boston is such a great city. Don't be surprised if you see this as the site of Nationals
Kris Verdeyen
07-11-2002, 00:46
If, God forbid, Nationals are in Houston, and FIRST figures out how to have the Championship event in a stadium or convention center, then there's no reason why any of at least a dozen cities couldn't host it. I don't think that the days of the travelling championship event can be too far off.
Also, don't get me wrong, if it was in Houston, I'd love it - it would be great to show off my new hometown to all of the teams travelling here, but that trip to Disney World was nice for the past two years.
Then again, it would also be nice to see something that started its first year in a high school gym grow so large as to need a giant football stadium to house it.
Originally posted by Jeff Waegelin
You're crushed, aren't you, MattK?
Very!
I dont even want to go to school today, I wanna stay home and surf CD to see when this breaks!!!!!!
WAIT, WIRELESS WEB ON CELL PHONE- I'm SAVED!
awww crap, parents too cheap to activate it :mad:
Jeff Waegelin
07-11-2002, 09:05
Originally posted by MattK
Very!
I dont even want to go to school today, I wanna stay home and surf CD to see when this breaks!!!!!!
WAIT, WIRELESS WEB ON CELL PHONE- I'm SAVED!
awww crap, parents too cheap to activate it :mad:
I know the feeling. Guess I'll have to sneak on during school (I don't even get my hour off today! Grr....)
Joe Matt
07-11-2002, 09:45
Originally posted by MattK
Very!
I dont even want to go to school today, I wanna stay home and surf CD to see when this breaks!!!!!!
WAIT, WIRELESS WEB ON CELL PHONE- I'm SAVED!
awww crap, parents too cheap to activate it :mad:
ha ha ha hahaha
I-have-an-iBook-with-wireless-in-my-school
falalalalala
darn you people and your rich parents. i may have cable internet but i have an 833 mhz pentium 3 gateway desktop. it is so slow.
back to the thread: ive never been to nationals in Epcot so i really have no clue why they would want to move it.
Joe Matt
07-11-2002, 13:13
Originally posted by dixonij
darn you people and your rich parents. i may have cable internet but i have an 833 mhz pentium 3 gateway desktop. it is so slow.
back to the thread: ive never been to nationals in Epcot so i really have no clue why they would want to move it.
The best part, the school paid for the w h o l e t h i n g!!!
HA HA HA HAAAAA!
D.J. Fluck
07-11-2002, 13:16
Originally posted by JosephM
The best part, the school paid for the w h o l e t h i n g!!!
HA HA HA HAAAAA!
how many people attend your school?
UCGL_Guy
07-11-2002, 13:42
Man Houston would be great for our team, cut about 2/3 of our travel budget. Phoenix is still probably 17 hours drive away versus 10 to Houston. We've been to the Lone Star regional three years now and they always do a good job and the complex out there is huge. There would be no problem holding the championship there. The afterhours activities would be the only concern. I'm sure FIRST is looking to bidding this event out to cities,and maybe disney also. just like the Olympics, who comes back with the lowest/best bid package. Think of it this way - instead of the prestige that Disney brings to FIRST, the prestige of hosting the FIRST National Competition would bring to the host city. Stay tuned
Ken
Joe Matt
07-11-2002, 13:48
Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
how many people attend your school?
2,000 + and it's a country wide thing, so 20,000 + iBooks are roaming around. It's a 23 million inititive by the school board.
Originally posted by JosephM
The best part, the school paid for the w h o l e t h i n g!!!
HA HA HA HAAAAA!
Send me one please,
thank you
I would just like to say that i think the nats should take place in Phoenix or anywhere on the West Coast just for the fact that a lot of West Coast teams who have had money trouble in the past would finally be able to attend them. Seriously the East Coast has hogged them from the begining now its our turn:)
~SHANA~
Originally posted by Shana
I would just like to say that i think the nats should take place in Phoenix or anywhere on the West Coast just for the fact that a lot of West Coast teams who have had money trouble in the past would finally be able to attend them. Seriously the East Coast has hogged them from the begining now its our turn:)
~SHANA~
Do I smell a East Coast vs. West Coast FIRST Robotics war developin?? :eek:
D.J. Fluck
07-11-2002, 18:53
From all the evidence I have heard in the last few days, I am about 90% convinced that Houston, Texas will be the site of the 2003 FIRST Championships....
Kevin Sevcik
07-11-2002, 18:58
Do you have any actual evidence, or are you basing this on all the arguing that's been going on here? Cause I've just been espousing the merits of Houston as a nationals site. We still don't actually know if nats is moving or where it's moving, unless you've got some inside info.
Originally posted by JosephM
The best part, the school paid for the w h o l e t h i n g!!!
HA HA HA HAAAAA!
GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
*muttering to myself*stupid RV, they spend $29 million dollars on renovations, a crappy new Performing Arts center, a new gym, and cafeteria. why couldnt they give the responsible people laptops like JosephM's school did. They could have at least given the robotics club some money.*end muttering*
i wish i had lots of money to buy all the things i want to buy.
Wireless notebooks for kids? Yeah...our school doesn't have that. We're still running low-end PII's with Win98 in the computer labs. And the extent of our computer program is Intro to Computers. I feel deprived...
Melissa Nute
07-11-2002, 19:47
Originally posted by dixonij
*muttering to myself*stupid RV, they spend $29 million dollars on renovations, a crappy new Performing Arts center, a new gym, and cafeteria. i wish i had lots of money to buy all the things i want to buy.
I would have loved it if my school built us a new Performing Arts center...
instead they gave us a foot ball field and a paved Mud lot (its called a mud lot for a reason, people)
D.J. Fluck
07-11-2002, 19:52
Originally posted by Kevin Sevcik
Do you have any actual evidence, or are you basing this on all the arguing that's been going on here? Cause I've just been espousing the merits of Houston as a nationals site. We still don't actually know if nats is moving or where it's moving, unless you've got some inside info.
I'd call it some almost confirmable rumors...
Originally posted by Yearbook50
I would have loved it if my school built us a new Performing Arts center...
instead they gave us a foot ball field and a paved Mud lot (its called a mud lot for a reason, people)
Please keep this thread on-topic
sorry about straying from the post topic. The east coast hasnt hoggedt the Nationals competition. its just that it was the place where it has been located from the beginning. (First it was in NH, then it moved to Epcot). Im sure the people running FIRST want to stay somewhat close to home.
whew. now that i said stuff pertaining to the thread, i can tell the masses how crappy our performing arts center is. If you are a musician, actor, techie, this place sucks. it has acustic dead spots, no pit, the stage is 3 ft high off the ground and oh i could just go on and on but Brandon would kill me.
-Ian
ecstatic to do Les Miserables in our new POC...wait PAC(PAC,POC, same difference)
Originally posted by MattK
Please keep this thread on-topic
Please try to leave the moderating to the moderators.
Thanks.
Back to your regularly scheduled programming.
mtaman02
07-11-2002, 20:54
http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2002/2002TeamForumnotes.pdf
maybe in hear holds a hint to what FIRST said to where the nationals might be held or whether or not there will be an eastern division and western division and then a national champion then again who knows
Ken Leung
07-11-2002, 21:01
Originally posted by MattK
Please keep this thread on-topic
Although I am no moderator, I do agree that we should keep this on-topic, since everyone care about the Championship event so much. I would hate to see this thread turn into something else, especially when they are announcing the location very soon.
Besides, this is a nice break from chit chat ;)
Tom Schindler
07-11-2002, 21:08
Originally posted by Mike522
http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/2002/2002TeamForumnotes.pdf
maybe in hear holds a hint to what FIRST said to where the nationals might be held or whether or not there will be an eastern division and western division and then a national champion then again who knows
seems to me like it says, "The Championship Event will be at Disney with dates TBD" right on the first page.... maybe we're all fussing about this for nothing :)
Tom
Melissa Nute
07-11-2002, 21:10
Originally posted by Tom Schindler
seems to me like it says, "The Championship Event will be at Disney with dates TBD" right on the first page.... maybe we're all fussing about this for nothing :)
Tom
I saw that too...
/me hopes it is announced in florida soon...
Originally posted by Tom Schindler
seems to me like it says, "The Championship Event will be at Disney with dates TBD" right on the first page.... maybe we're all fussing about this for nothing :)
Tom
Where exactly does it say the 2003 Championship will be at Disney???
Joe Matt
07-11-2002, 21:33
We have endless bickering, rumors, and such AND IT'S RIGHT THERE!
OK, so the forum notes say that. And early on, the events capacity list also said that, and then they removed the location.
I did not begin this rumor on a whim. It was based on ... nevermind - I do not want to reveal my sources. I guess we shall soon see if my rumors should ever again be taken seriously.
Wayne C.
07-11-2002, 21:46
I can't find that Disney reference either. The notes from the forum mentioned are just that- notes from the forum conference last August- not official proclamations by FIRST. I am sure a lot of events have happened since last August.
From this part of the country we are hearing Houston too. But nothing is confirmed and, like everybody else, we are sitting here with both feet firmly planted in midair.
And as for bickering- I've seen folks stating an opinion with no hostile intent. This IS the rumor mill.
Hey- we have hundreds of teams out there waiting for FIRST to get around to making the announcement so they can make their plans, scrape up thousands of dollars and get on with their programs. I think their concerns are justified and I hope FIRST gets on with the announcements sooner than later. I'd like to return to Orlando but the more I see of Houston the better I like it!
WC
Tom Schindler
07-11-2002, 22:08
Originally posted by Raul
Where exactly does it say the 2003 Championship will be at Disney???
it is on the first page, under the "events" section. i copied and pasted directly from the PDF file.
Tom
Moshingkow
07-11-2002, 22:42
I think that the nationals should be held at the Jacob Javits Center in NYC. Its huge! and its made of glass. shiny objects attract crowds!!!
tenkai
D.J. Fluck
08-11-2002, 13:08
Originally posted by Tom Schindler
it is on the first page, under the "events" section. i copied and pasted directly from the PDF file.
Tom
Im pretty sure that the document was released before FIRST took Disney as the location of the championship off of their website
I have heard NASA tossed around in here and I have also heard that FIRST is hurting for money around too. Since NASA is a large supporter of FIRST (team sponsorship, Grants, Webcasts, Regional Sponsor, etc...)
It would only make sense that if the Championship event was to be sponsored by someone other than Disney (if you call that sponsorship charging big bucks to teams to go) it would be NASA since they are such a large supporter in general.
So it could be in any (hopefully large) city near a well known NASA site (ie. San Francisco, Los Ageles, Houston, Orlando, Richmond) I know that these Sites are all near or are current regionals and most if not all have been sposored by NASA at sometime.
I would be a bit surprised if the Championship event is held in the same city as a regional event, but it happend last year (and who knows maybe there was a contract for EPCOT for so many years) and could happen again.
Personally the Championship event should be held in a more centralized location or better yet it should be in or near a city that held a regional in the previous year that is closest to the previous years champion team that selected the alliance or the National Chairmans award winner.
Chew on that for a bit...
Kevin Sevcik
08-11-2002, 14:18
ummm.. I would think that moving nats every year based on who won something the previous year would be.... well crazy. We can all see for ourselves what a big delay there is this year because of some sort of nats planning SNAFU. I would think that moving nats annually would only make things worse....
Elgin Clock
08-11-2002, 17:05
Well the annonuncement was supposed to be made by the end of this week 11-3 / 11-9.
Well it's Friday the 8th... Where is this announcement???
Originally posted by Elgin Clock
Well the annonuncement was supposed to be made by the end of this week 11-3 / 11-9.
Well it's Friday the 8th... Where is this announcement???
I was gunna say the same thing
Don Knight
08-11-2002, 18:14
Greetings Teams:
We will be releasing the Championship date and location next Thursday,
November 14th both via e-mail blast to main contacts and via posting on the
web.
Championship Registration will open 9:00 am est, November 15th
simultaneously with remaining Regional Event registration. For those of you
eligible for the Championship, please remember that you still have to
register - admittance is not automatic but done on a first come first serve
basis!
The hotel and travel reservation system will be opened as soon as all
arrangements are finalized. We are working hard to provide economical
packages that will include lodging, ground transportation, entertainment
and food.
Have a great weekend!
Cheers,
Deb, Sue, Thelma and Michelle
Team Support
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology)
200 Bedford Street
Manchester, NH 03101
Nate Smith
08-11-2002, 18:21
Originally posted by Don Knight
We are working hard to provide economical
packages that will include lodging, ground transportation, entertainment
and food.
If this doesn't say NOT Epcot/WDW, I don't know what does...
Melissa Nute
08-11-2002, 18:49
Originally posted by Nate Smith
If this doesn't say NOT Epcot/WDW, I don't know what does...
I dunno..
hopefully nothing else
Wayne C.
08-11-2002, 19:28
they obviously know where we are going now- what are they waiting for?
WC
Joe Matt
08-11-2002, 19:43
Originally posted by Wayne C.
they obviously know where we are going now- what are they waiting for?
WC
They must have just finialized it. I think the reason why is to get all the info up and ready to put onto the page and to warn people ahead of time instead of just randomly picking a date and suprising people.
David Kelly
09-11-2002, 22:12
please stop double posting.... and post on subject...please
Mike Schroeder
09-11-2002, 22:16
Whoa i thought i didn't make any sense
heh, I thought it just didn't make sense because I was tired. Glad to hear I'm not alone there.
Mike Schroeder
09-11-2002, 22:48
ok now i am confused
Wayne C.
09-11-2002, 22:55
Here's a twisted idea-
Suppose they NEVER announce the location of the Nationals. Then the challenge of the game this year is to make a robot which can somehow find them......
Redhead Jokes
09-11-2002, 23:06
Originally posted by Wayne C.
Here's a twisted idea-
Suppose they NEVER announce the location of the Nationals. Then the challenge of the game this year is to make a robot which can somehow find them......
LOL, I take it you're one of the loose screws you haven't repaired.
I heard a rumor that the Nationals would be in Atlanta.
1 more day until the annoucement!!!.... hopefully hehe
Elgin Clock
14-11-2002, 12:14
Originally posted by QtKt
1 more day until the annoucement!!!.... hopefully hehe
Not quite.
Now it's one more day till announcement.
Originally posted by Elgin Clock
Not quite.
Now it's one more day till announcement.
Not quite.
Now it's two weeks till announcement.
calculusgoddess
14-11-2002, 12:28
well, the announcement was supposed to come today....
I guess negotiations are taking longer than they thought.....
for anyone who hasn't seen it...this is the email that main contacts got this morning.
------
"Greetings Teams:
Many of you may have heard that FIRST will not be holding The Championship at Epcot in 2003. FIRST and Walt Disney World worked diligently to come up with a date that would allow us to return to Epcot but several factors simply worked against us.
We fully intended to announce the date and location of the 2003 Championship today and open registration on Friday, November 15, 2002. Although we have been working diligently to complete arrangements and obtain the very best possible pricing for teams, we have not yet finalized all the details.
We thank you for your continued patience as we complete this process. Our objective is to create an event that meets the high standards achieved in the past. We hope to have the arrangements finalized within two weeks and open registration for The Championship at that time. If it is necessary to extend the registration period for The Championship to give teams sufficient time to register, we will do so."
-------
sounds interesting
Well, I see a lot of anxiousness out there as we all wait on FIRST to announce the location. Well, at least it is confirmed that it will NOT be at Disney. I feel bad for those of you who were still hoping I was wrong about my rumor.
I have not heard anything from my sources that contradicts my earlier statements. I guess I am just as anxious to get this over with as all of you. 2 more weeks - arrgh - I hope they finalize this before Thanksgiving.
Elgin Clock
14-11-2002, 21:53
I just thought of something, What if the Championships were moved to Dean's island?? That would definately involve issues with transportation and food and come to think of it lodging as well.
But if it was there it would be a simple drive for us to get to where they pick us up for the boat, since the island is off of the coast of CT in the Long Island Sound (I think?? someone correct me if I am wrong)
People in my area may have trucks with enough lift to wade to his island :P (Or with air intake high enough)
sanddrag
14-11-2002, 22:08
Where is Dean's island anyway? How big is it?
Oh, and Lifted Trucks RULE
Dean's Island used to be a part of NY but yes I believe it is in the Long Island Sound. NOT POSITIVE. ANd i wouldn't reccomend the trucks you could run over the electricty cable that is in the Sound. Plus it is very small.
Elgin Clock
15-11-2002, 16:47
Originally posted by jk2005
Dean's Island used to be a part of NY but yes I believe it is in the Long Island Sound. NOT POSITIVE. ANd i wouldn't reccomend the trucks you could run over the electricty cable that is in the Sound. Plus it is very small.
It's big enough to have it's own money, in the value of pi none-the-less!!!!
I wish I had my own country :-(
OK folks, after some exhaustive investigative work, I am willing to bet that the location is Huston. Don't ask me how I figured this out; I can't say.
Don Knight
18-11-2002, 13:33
Originally posted by Raul
OK folks, after some exhaustive investigative work, I am willing to bet that the location is Huston. Don't ask me how I figured this out; I can't say.
Raul,
You must be exhausted, why would FIRST locate the National Championships in Huston, Idaho?
I think you start looking around again.....
Or, did you mean Houston as in Texas? That would be a more probable location....
I guess I better cancel my flight to Huston. :-) Houston it is.
Yeah, I have a problem with typing fast when I am in a hurry to go get some lunch.
Ken Leung
18-11-2002, 14:08
Originally posted by Raul
I guess I better cancel my flight to Huston. :-) Houston it is.
Yeah, I have a problem with typing fast when I am in a hurry to go get some lunch.
Raul's words are usually good enough, even if its in the Rumor Mill ;). I guess Houston it is. Besides, after 1 hoax about this, no one would dare pulling a second hoax.
Wonder how many teams won't be going because of this.
Less than 2 week, people... Less than 2 weeks.
By the way, I think FIRST is keeping all these secret because they are finalizing the deal with the venue, and any sort of leak about this to the media might affect the negotiation in a negative way. So, let's just keep this in the rumor mill for now.
Whatever starts in the Rumor Mill stays in the Rumor Mill.
Well Raul, or whoever has been to Houston, what is there to do there? I mean, where would (at what place) would they be held? I mean, there arn't a lot of places that can take all those ppl. Also, what 'fun' things can you do there. And, Raul, i know that you said that you can't say how you found out, but could you mabey hint?
Also, if we could figure out at what place the Nats. would be held, they may have a list of all events at that place on their website, and they might have put up that FIRST will be held there.
Joe Matt
18-11-2002, 14:15
I guess last year was my last Nationals....
Ashley Weed
18-11-2002, 16:38
I was just snooping around at possible locations. While looking around Houston, I found this photo, and my reaction was "Oh!, the endless possibilities!" with a place like this.
Originally posted by JosephM
I guess last year was my last Nationals....
It depends on how many teams they limit nationals to this year.
Last year my old team (an odd-numbered team) got into nationals because there were some spots left after the qualifying teams had ample time to register. They then left the remaining spots open to all teams to take, so our leader grabbed it right away.
Joe Matt
18-11-2002, 18:46
Counting the amount of money it costs to travel farther than Houston rather than Disney, I'd rather have someone else go than me, someone more important.
DaBruteForceGuy
18-11-2002, 19:49
WOW WEEDIE, THATS SOME PHOTO:rolleyes:
i'm from houston and the reliant domain (astrodome, astroarena, reliant stadium, etc.) which is the most likely place it will be is right across the freeway from Astroworld and Waterworld with a bridge from the complex's parking lot over the freeway. about 10-15 min from the galleria, 60-90 min from the beach, 45 min from spashtown, less then an hour from 2 airports and since houston is not a major tourist hub, there are reasonible prices (for the most part)
Kevin Sevcik
19-11-2002, 12:58
I just did a search on Travelocity. The cheapest roundtrip flight from Richmond to Orlando at around the right time was 207. The cheapest to Houston was 277. I'd think that extra 70 would be offset by the cheaper hotel rates you're bound to get in Houston. Plus, while airfare might be a little more expensive for the Eastern teams, it will be that much cheaper for the Western teams.
thanks weedie, but that isn't a real pic, but at least it shows me the large ammout of space. I personally think that moving the nats. more west would help the west teams in flight costs which would be a good chagne(like Kevin said). As for $70 more, that really isn't a big deal for most teams.
Thanks TomA for telling me what is around Houston. I really didn't know and i'm gald now that i know that are things to do. The hour drive to the airport is a little more than it was in orlando, but i don't think it is that much longer.
I hope they announce soon! i can't wait!
D.J. Fluck
19-11-2002, 14:55
Originally posted by Jack
As for $70 more, that really isn't a big deal for most teams.
That 70 dollars will probably be saved since your not paying "Disney Inflation" to eat, stay at hotels, or buying souvineers..
and
Yes there is a lot to do in Houston, but my question is: does it really take an hour to get to the airport??? I was in Houston back in the summer of '99 and it took us about 35 to 45 minutes to get from our hotel (a few blocks from the astrodome) to the airport....
Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
does it really take an hour to get to the airport??? I was in Houston back in the summer of '99 and it took us about 35 to 45 minutes to get from our hotel (a few blocks from the astrodome) to the airport....
If it only takes 30-45 min to get to the airport, then heck, thats pretty much the same as disney. And yes, i'd think that just about everything would be cheeper becasue of no disney. Especially if they hold it close to easter. I'm sure busneisses rase prices around easter, so it would be even worse going to orlando during easter. (Not to mention millions of ppl :)
Gary Dillard
19-11-2002, 16:44
OK - our rumor source that said Houston also said it will be April 10-12, the week after the last regionals. Has anybody else heard this?
Originally posted by Gary Dillard
OK - our rumor source that said Houston also said it will be April 10-12, the week after the last regionals. Has anybody else heard this?
Personally, i'd think that they would give it more than a week after the last regional. BUT... how much after the last regional was it last year?
Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
does it really take an hour to get to the airport??? I was in Houston back in the summer of '99 and it took us about 35 to 45 minutes to get from our hotel (a few blocks from the astrodome) to the airport....
It depends on what airport you fly into. There are two in Houston, they consider 3, major airports there. Bush and Hobby are the better known. You probably flew into Hobby because it is only supposed to be 7 miles from the central business district of Houston. Bush, the intercontinental airport, is 23 miles north of downtown so if you fly into that one it can take about 30 min. to get to Houston, depending on traffic of course from my experience there. So it really depends on which one you fly into. If you need anymore info you can always go to Houstons airport web page houstonairportsystem.org
~SHANA~
Melancholy
19-11-2002, 17:00
Will they hold Nationals during AP exams, SAT, ACT, or Easter weekend?
Starting the weekend after the last regional...
April 10-12 : ACT Test
April 17-19 : Easter weekend
April 24-26 : nothing that I can think of...
May 1-3 : SAT Test
May 8-10 : AP exams
May 15-17 : AP exams
Kit Gerhart
19-11-2002, 17:01
Originally posted by Kevin Sevcik
I just did a search on Travelocity. The cheapest roundtrip flight from Richmond to Orlando at around the right time was 207. The cheapest to Houston was 277. I'd think that extra 70 would be offset by the cheaper hotel rates you're bound to get in Houston. Plus, while airfare might be a little more expensive for the Eastern teams, it will be that much cheaper for the Western teams.
The price of air fares, to a significant extent, depends as much on the nature of the place you are going as to how far it is. It is highly likely that it would be cheaper to fly to Orlando than Houston from many west coast airports, just as it is cheaper to fly from Indianapolis to Las Vegas than to many places closer. Since Orlando and Las Vegas are kind of "tourism capitals of the US," there are a lot of cheap flights to these places from about anywhere in the world.
Still, as many people have pointed out, the total cost of a non-Disney championships is likely to be less because we probably won't be buying such expensive meals and largely unused park passes. I guess we'll find out when we get to the new location how much we actually spend on food and off-time entertainment.
Originally posted by Gary Dillard
OK - our rumor source that said Houston also said it will be April 10-12, the week after the last regionals. Has anybody else heard this?
My info also pointed to the second weekend in April.
Kevin Sevcik
19-11-2002, 17:40
Nope I did a search on flying from LAX to houston and orlando, and houston was cheaper. As for travel times from airports to the astrodome area... Bush is around 45 minutes away. Hobby is probably 10-15, since it's on the southside of town to begin with. This is, of course, assuming non-rush hour traffic.
D.J. Fluck
19-11-2002, 18:59
Originally posted by Shana
It depends on what airport you fly into. There are two in Houston, they consider 3, major airports there. Bush and Hobby are the better known. You probably flew into Hobby because it is only supposed to be 7 miles from the central business district of Houston.
Nope, it was Bush, I found my old boarding pass today while cleaning...
I seriously doubt that nats will be one week after the last regional. what about the even teams that qualify during that regional and want to attend? There is no way they can make arrangements in one week. Airfare would be like 1,000 dollars per person alone, plus you have to factor in hotel reservations and all that. I just think FIRST will do that.
Ken Leung
19-11-2002, 20:36
Originally posted by Melancholy
Will they hold Nationals during AP exams, SAT, ACT, or Easter weekend?
Starting the weekend after the last regional...
April 10-12 : ACT Test
April 17-19 : Easter weekend
April 24-26 : nothing that I can think of...
May 1-3 : SAT Test
May 8-10 : AP exams
May 15-17 : AP exams
April 24~26 looks like a great weekend to do it without much interferring with much of anything important for students. That's around when Nats was held this year. But if rumor says the 10th, then I guess that's when its going to be. ;)
Not too many students take ACT test, right? Besides, they can always take it a little bit later at the beginning of senior year :P.
Jeff Waegelin
19-11-2002, 21:55
Originally posted by Ken L
Not too many students take ACT test, right? Besides, they can always take it a little bit later at the beginning of senior year :P.
Plus, the ACT and the SAT are both offered about 8 times througout the year. It shouldn't matter, since you could always take them a month earlier or later.
PLEASE LET IT BE OVER APRIL 24-26!!! My birthday is April 25. that would be fun to be at Nats on my birthday!!! (BRING PRESENTS!!!)
Originally posted by dixonij
PLEASE LET IT BE OVER APRIL 24-26!!! My birthday is April 25. that would be fun to be at Nats on my birthday!!! (BRING PRESENTS!!!)
That would be way cool. And, if you won, i think that it would be the best b-day present ever!
ooooohhhh... never thought of that... AWESOME!!! YOU WILL LET 87 WIN SO I CAN HAVE THAT AS A BIRTHDAY PRESENT. (OR ELSE I WILL SIC DIABLO ON YOU)
Mike Rush
20-11-2002, 20:25
I got "inside sources say that it will be in Houston at Reliant Center - April 10-12" from a non-inside source but it is reliable....
Take it for what it is worth..... :)
On a scale from 0 to heard it from Dean, how sure are you guys with "inside sources" about TX?
Mike Rush
20-11-2002, 23:49
0 being absolute certainity and 10 being I threw a dart at a map, I would say that it is a 1. Put it this way, confirmation came by a complete accident, from a source completely outside the FIRST community, but someone who would know where teams would be "laying thier heads".......
But, remember this is the Rumor Mill so I make no warranty either expressed, nor implied.....
(pssst... It's still a 1... ssshhhhh......)
D.J. Fluck
21-11-2002, 08:24
I just checked the FIRST 2003 Competition page, and the site is down and being updated....are they announcing it or could this just be maintenence??
*sits and waits patiently*
Brandon Martus
21-11-2002, 09:16
Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
*sits and waits patiently*
It was like that at 1:00 AM EST also.
Gary Dillard
21-11-2002, 09:20
Sounds like our source is the same as Mike's, although I'd put it at about a 4. Too many issues at stake - they could have misunderstood what they were asked to do, or could have been asked as a contingency, or could have old information... any number of things.
Having said that, I'd bet on Houston April 10-12. I wouldn't bet the house, but maybe the garage if it was single car.
D.J. Fluck
21-11-2002, 10:02
Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
I just checked the FIRST 2003 Competition page, and the site is down and being updated....are they announcing it or could this just be maintenence??
*sits and waits patiently*
False alarm....just routine maintenance it looks like...
<edit> I type so fast sometimes i miss a letter or 2 :p <edit>
On a scale from 0 to heard it from Dean, how sure are you guys with "inside sources" about TX?
If you make Dean a 10, I'd probably rate my source as a 7 or 8. Unless something changes I'm pretty confident about Houston for April 10-12.
Then again, you never know.
Wayne C.
22-11-2002, 00:48
we have a 10 for Houston- good enough rumor!! ?
WC
AnonymousCoward
22-11-2002, 13:10
I just heard from Lucia Sevcik that nationals will be in houston. She met with Dean recently, so this would probably be a 9 or 10
Brandon Martus
22-11-2002, 13:17
Originally posted by AnonymousCoward
I just heard...
Yeah... and your credibility (being anonymous) automatically makes that a 0 in my book.
D.J. Fluck
22-11-2002, 13:34
Originally posted by Brandon Martus
Yeah... and your credibility (being anonymous) automatically makes that a 0 in my book.
Even so, (from one of my sources) Lucia Sevcik was one of the main people that tried convincing FIRST to change the location of the Championship to Houston back in 2000 or 2001
AnonymousCoward
22-11-2002, 16:39
My appologies for not using my name, but Lucia is a leader on my team, team 57, and has asked us not to say anything.
Originally posted by AnonymousCoward
My appologies for not using my name, but Lucia is a leader on my team, team 57, and has asked us not to say anything.
You're still violating her trust. You're doing so anonymously, perhaps, but your actions stand a chance of hurting your entire team - if only because she cannot know who she can and cannot trust anymore.
Next time, think about the intent of the rules rather than thinking about their loopholes.
I hope that she doesn't get in trouble because you're foolish.
Good job.
Don Knight
22-11-2002, 16:49
Originally posted by AnonymousCoward
My appologies for not using my name, but Lucia is a leader on my team, team 57, and has asked us not to say anything.
Don't worry your secret is safe with us..... See you in Houston!
Brandon Martus
22-11-2002, 16:51
Originally posted by Don Knight
with us.....
and the rest of the Internet. :)
Ashley Weed
22-11-2002, 18:53
I noticed that the event list page is down again... perhaps FIRST is preparing for a big announcement???
Tim Allen
22-11-2002, 19:11
The page is back up, and there's no change. Oh well, try again tomorrow.
D.J. Fluck
22-11-2002, 19:21
I think FIRST is taking it down and putting it back up on purpose to tease us...
I am willing to bet tat they announce it on Thanksgiving. TO give us all something more to be greatful for.
Plus that is 2 weeks in full.
DaBruteForceGuy
23-11-2002, 20:25
If you ask me i am let down by FIRST on this subject. I understand all the planning involved and the variances, rentals........ BUT how are you odd teams suppose to schedule your events that you are going to depending on money? I mean, a team who has anough money for two competitions, but nats turns out to be too far away to pay for, than by the time they find out all the spots will be taken in the other regtionals they were considering?
If anybody else feels the same way about this subject please respond. If i am mistaken about something please tell me because my deductions are based on what i have heard.
[i].... BUT how are you odd teams suppose to schedule your events that you are going to depending on money? [/B]
I think it will be even tougher for the even numbered team that becomes eligible for the first time at a regional on April 5. I did hear another rumor that FIRST is attempting to make arrangements with some airlines. If so, this may help with last minute plans.
Originally posted by Raul
I think it will be even tougher for the even numbered team that becomes eligible for the first time at a regional on April 5. I did hear another rumor that FIRST is attempting to make arrangements with some airlines. If so, this may help with last minute plans.
If that's the case, how can FIRST possible know where its winners are flying from? Holding spots on an airplane for an entire team will be next to impossible, I think, and that may mean they limit the number of attendees. That is, I think, almost worse than leaving it to the teams to arrange their own transportation.
Chubtoad
24-11-2002, 15:45
As somebody said in another thread that was closed
Yesterday at "The Brunswick Eruption" Bart Kamen was the special guest visior and several people bugged him to see if he knew the location of the Nats, and he spilled the beans
Houston Texas.
I was there myself and people I went with reported that he indeed said this. So unless Dean likes to tease his little brother, Houston it is.
any1 know if six flags astroworld will be invloved in this?
Originally posted by RebAl
any1 know if six flags astroworld will be invloved in this?
How far is six flags from houston?
Originally posted by Jack
How far is six flags from houston?
from talking to a friend who used to live in Texas, I am told it is very close to the astrodome and reliant complex, which is the supposed place of nationals this year.
Chubtoad
24-11-2002, 19:50
According to the Houston website, Six Flags is "across the block" actually there is a bridge connecting them, also with Six Flags is a water park.
D.J. Fluck
24-11-2002, 20:53
To officially clarify this.
The astrodome and 6 flags share a parking lot.
You walk across the bridge over the highway and you are at astroworld.
Originally posted by D.J. Fluck
To officially clarify this.
The astrodome and 6 flags share a parking lot.
You walk across the bridge over the highway and you are at astroworld.
Sounds very cool. Seeing how close six flags is (which provides fun stuff to do that disney / universal studios had) and how Houston is in the middle of the US, AND that just about everything is cheeper, along with a huge place, I'm pretty much sold on Houston being where nats will be.
I guess we'll find out sometime this week though! :)
(Hopefully Monday. The notice on usfirst went down on Friday, but then came back up. Mabey they wanted to let dean's bro. spread a big rumor, and then once everyone in 99% sure, finalize it)
Joe Matt
24-11-2002, 21:39
You must not know lots of things about Astroworld do you? If you read previous Krass posts you'll know that the only good coaster they have is being toarn down and the place is basicly crap in maintainance and cleanlyness.
Originally posted by JosephM
You must not know lots of things about Astroworld do you? If you read previous Krass posts you'll know that the only good coaster they have is being toarn down and the place is basicly crap in maintainance and cleanlyness.
Oh...
NO FUN!! :( :(
Jeff Rodriguez
25-11-2002, 00:03
Sorry if this has been discussed already, but i'm too lazy to read alot.
Has anyone heard about dates for nats.?
Now don't get me wrong, I think having the competition in a central US location, if Disney can't happen, is a great location.
The problem is that Houston is one of the more expensive cities in the US. Airline flights into Houston are amoung the most expensive in the entire country, and on top of that, very few airlines fly any direct flights into Houston from major cities.
I would hope that Nationals in Houston, if that is to be where they are located, would be less expensive than Disney would be, but my fear is that won't happen.
I dunno... we'll see.
...
Jeff
Ken Leung
25-11-2002, 17:13
Originally posted by Ogre
Sorry if this has been discussed already, but i'm too lazy to read alot.
Has anyone heard about dates for nats.?
So far the 2 dates people speculated are both in April, the weeked of the 10th, and the 24th.
Joe Matt
25-11-2002, 17:25
Only a few more days (hopefully).
maybe to get us there, dean will give every kid a sterling engine powered segway to make the annual journey to the FIRST holly land
maybe...:D
Originally posted by Ken L
So far the 2 dates people speculated are both in April, the weeked of the 10th, and the 24th. I would bet on the 24-26 because having it the weekend of the 10th does not follow along with the April 15th deadline for Championship money for newly qualified teams. But who knows, things could change. I didn't mention any May dates because only heaven knows how much I would hate for it to be then.
I'm really supprised that they haven't made an announcement yet. I mean, if what they said in the last one (that they would make an announcement) is ture, then they would announce by the end of this week.
Now... really, do you think that there are going to be FIRST people working on thanksgiving or the friday after? - I think no. SO... today would be the last real day for the announcement. Or they will announce it on Thur. or Fri. (which i think is realy dumb)
OR... the last option is that they won't do it this week.
What do you think?
Ashley Weed
27-11-2002, 14:39
I don't see it happening until next week.
I also fear that they will just send another "We are finalizing the details" letter.
Mike Soukup
27-11-2002, 14:55
What's the big deal? We all know it's in Houston on April 10-12. The wait to figure out where Nats is was over almost a week ago.
Originally posted by weedie
I don't see it happening until next week.
I also fear that they will just send another "We are finalizing the details" letter.
Do you think they are just going to say in the next letter, we are going to wait till Kick-Off to tell you?
Originally posted by Mike Soukup
What's the big deal? We all know it's in Houston on April 10-12. The wait to figure out where Nats is was over almost a week ago.
Until it is on this site (http://www.usfirst.org/frc/public/FMPro?-db=team%20events.fp5&-lay=web&-format=event_stats.htm&-findany), nothing is final.
Grasshopper (Mike Soukup),
The big deal is:
1) Its not official until FIRST says so.
2) Everyone who is eligible is anxious to sign up for the Championship event and that cannot happen until FIRST makes it official, and opens registration up to do so.
3) No one is seriously going to make flight or hotel arrangements until it is official, and the longer we wait the less time we have to find good airline deals (unless FIRST does somehow make a deal with the airlines as was rumored).
Ken Leung
28-11-2002, 01:30
Originally posted by Raul
Grasshopper (Mike Soukup),
The big deal is:
1) Its not official until FIRST says so.
2) Everyone who is eligible is anxious to sign up for the Championship event and that cannot happen until FIRST makes it official, and opens registration up to do so.
3) No one is seriously going to make flight or hotel arrangements until it is official, and the longer we wait the less time we have to find good airline deals (unless FIRST does somehow make a deal with the airlines as was rumored).
Until FIRST announces the location and date, anyone booking flights or hotels not only risk getting the date or location wrong, they will also drive up the price for the hotel or flights making the FIRST package more expensive than it needed to be.
And the people are just anxious because they want to get started on the booking as soon as possible. No one want to wait till the last minute. The earlier you get these out of the way, the more time you have to stress on other things. And besides, the sooner all of us know where/when/how expensive, all the teams will have to start discussing travel arrangement and who gets to go, how much its going to cost, etc.
Rumors I heard from my sources is that they are working on getting the FIRST package done, and registration system figured out so everything can go as smoothly as possible. Have faith ;). Just wait till Friday and see what happens.
Ashley Weed
28-11-2002, 12:53
Originally posted by MattK
Do you think they are just going to say in the next letter, we are going to wait till Kick-Off to tell you?
I am hoping for the best, and that FIRST won't take such actions. However, it would not surprise me if they chose to wait till kick-off. It may cause issues with travel arrangements though. :rolleyes:
still no announcements
:mad: :( :rolleyes:
Ken Leung
29-11-2002, 18:38
I love how FIRST sent out an e-mail yesterday saying:
Please note our offices will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 28th and Friday the 29th. We will resume our normal business hours on Monday, December 2nd, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm est
Happy Thanksgiving!
-----------------------------
Think its their excuse of delaying the announcement for a few more days? Today is exactly 2 weeks from their last announcement.
Ryan Foley
29-11-2002, 19:10
Originally posted by verdeyw
Then again, it would also be nice to see something that started its first year in a high school gym grow so large as to need a giant football stadium to house it.
take this into account as well:
this year we have teams from the UK, and now another from Germany. If this keeps up FIRST may grow into an INTERNATIONAL competition with teams from all over the world. So in maybe 10 years, a thread like this may be focused not on Nats, but on the location of the International championship.
Imagine the accomplishment from starting with about 14 teams in a highschool gym, to teams from all over the world with many more regionals, nats, and and international championship (not that the 800+ teams and 23 regionals isnt an accomplishment)
Mike Schroeder
29-11-2002, 20:38
Originally posted by Foley350
take this into account as well:
this year we have teams from the UK, and now another from Germany. If this keeps up FIRST may grow into an INTERNATIONAL competition with teams from all over the world.
it has been an International Competition for a few years there was a UK team at one point a few years ago, there are alot(sorry to lazy to get #'s)of canadian teams, and a Brazilian team.
that sounds International to me
Wayne C.
29-11-2002, 21:01
May 1-3rd, 2003
Houston Astrodome Complex
nuff said...
of course this IS the rumor mill
WC
Anthony S.
29-11-2002, 23:17
I find it quite interesting that most of our speculations are pointing towards Houston, TX being the location of nationals. But if you look on the 2003 Event List (http://www.usfirst.org/frc/public/FMPro?-db=team%20events.fp5&-lay=web&-format=event_stats.htm&-findany), The Houston Regional has the most available spaces left out of ALL the regionals, there are 26 spaces left and the only other closest is 11 and thats in Pittsburg. Everything else is either full or almost full. Those are just from my observations. Does anyone think that has anything to do with the rumor or people just don't want to go to the Houston Regional?
My team has gone to Houston for the past 3 years and decided to go to St. Louis this time, so our decision had nothing to do with the rumor, a matter of fact, I'm the only person on my team to know about the rumor. What about everyone else?
D.J. Fluck
01-12-2002, 00:48
Originally posted by Wayne C.
May 1-3rd, 2003
Houston Astrodome Complex
nuff said...
of course this IS the rumor mill
WC
May 3rd: SAT
Still Stickin with the April 10th-12th
Wayne C.
01-12-2002, 08:38
Sorry to say- I doubt if SATs, APs, MCATs, IQs, DQs or any other test will really have any impact on whether or not the Nationals are on a given day. Only a small percentage of the students involved would be effected. And while they may be very important to you I doubt if they have much significance to the decision makers at FIRST. Not everyone will be happy about this.
One of the biggest concerns is that the robots from the last round of regionals can be shipped to the Nationals in time by Fedex. If you recall last years situation, Fedex fits the machines in any free space they have on flights. It took a while to get our robot returned from the Nats because of this. Therefore the two weeks after the April 3 weekend are not workable.
As for the Houston regional- well the rumor theory might account for the lowered enrollment. It could also be that with all the new regionals available, the teams that have attended Houston in the past have siphoned off to other sites. In any case the location of a regional and the nationals are not necessarily interconnected.
I stick with May 3, Houston. (We've heard a few things out here)
WC
Tyler Olds
01-12-2002, 11:54
Originally posted by Wayne C.
Sorry to say- I doubt if SATs, APs, MCATs, IQs, DQs or any other test will really have any impact on whether or not the Nationals are on a given day. Only a small percentage of the students involved would be effected. And while they may be very important to you I doubt if they have much significance to the decision makers at FIRST. Not everyone will be happy about this.
One of the biggest concerns is that the robots from the last round of regionals can be shipped to the Nationals in time by Fedex. If you recall last years situation, Fedex fits the machines in any free space they have on flights. It took a while to get our robot returned from the Nats because of this. Therefore the two weeks after the April 3 weekend are not workable.
As for the Houston regional- well the rumor theory might account for the lowered enrollment. It could also be that with all the new regionals available, the teams that have attended Houston in the past have siphoned off to other sites. In any case the location of a regional and the nationals are not necessarily interconnected.
I stick with May 3, Houston. (We've heard a few things out here)
WC
I disagree, considering A LOT or FIRST kids tend to be in advanced classes, hence quite a few taking the test! I think you need to look farther into what you say before you just announce it! This might be rumor mill but hey know what you are saying before you say it. ;)
Originally posted by Team93FIRST
I disagree, considering A LOT or FIRST kids tend to be in advanced classes, hence quite a few taking the test! I think you need to look farther into what you say before you just announce it! This might be rumor mill but hey know what you are saying before you say it. ;)
I'd agree with Wayne on this one. . . especially considering how often the SAT exam is offered. I can't see how FIRST would plan around something like that, especially given that students at all levels participate in this.
While I've never seen anything that confirms your assertion that most FIRSTers take advanced classes, that does match up with my experience - but, only 11th and 12th graders, usually, are taking the SAT.
Maybe FIRST can get Nationals to be an SAT test site? :)
D.J. Fluck
01-12-2002, 12:29
AP Tests start the week of the 1st-3rd also according to my school's schedule, and also May would be too late because schools start letting out in the next few weeks, and there are final exams, and it would be impossible for students to make up their homework, quizzes, tests, etc.
Yes, maybe the SATs are held several times a year, but AP exams are once a year and final exams are once a semester, and im perfectly sure that FIRST is aware of this.
Jeff Waegelin
01-12-2002, 13:01
I don't think APs start until after May 1-3. I believe the first one is the next Monday, May 5. While it would be cutting it close, it is not, strictly speaking, a conflict.
Ryan Foley
01-12-2002, 13:33
Originally posted by "Big Mike"
it has been an International Competition for a few years there was a UK team at one point a few years ago, there are alot(sorry to lazy to get #'s)of canadian teams, and a Brazilian team.
that sounds International to me
by international competition i meant that there would be many more non US teams. enough so that FIRST would have to add regionals (maybe nationals) in other parts of the world. Then maybe an international championship event that's position would change every year (country to country like the olympics do)
I don't take the APs next year, but I do take the IB examinations. IBO, the organization that creates the exams, are very strict when it comes to makeup exams. You are only allowed to make up an exam if there is a death in the family, you become physically injured, or something insane like that. Even then, they only give you a few days to make up the exams. If FIRST decides to hold the nationals during the first week of May, it will conflict with the IB exams given in English HL. If I miss the English exam, I won't be able to get my IB diploma, and in addition to that we won't get a refund. IB exams are really expensive. I'll stop whining because it really doesn't matter now. FIRST has obviously decided upon a location and a date for the Championship Event and we can do nothing but live with it.
Wayne C.
01-12-2002, 16:46
Sorry Team 93First-
You may not LIKE what I said but it WAS thought out and makes perfect sense. I TEACH AP classes and I KNOW that the testing dates are close at hand.
The needs of a relatively small percentage of students will have little effect on a million dollar project like the Nationals. Remember, this is the same organization which, on the day before registration last year, cut out 50% of the teams in a single proclamation. I am sure they are confident that even if the test takers don't attend they will still have a big enough crowd to make the Nationals a major event.
From the information we have received here in NJ from some pretty reliable sources the date will be May 3rd and the place will be Houston. If I'm wrong you have my permission to say "I told you so".
Rather than be ticked that you don't like what I've said, be ticked at FIRST for stringing this out so long. They certainly know of a date and place and the last I heard it was to be announced this past Friday. Was it?
BTW- if the date IS May 3rd and there is a way, I am willing to volunteer some of my time to help you guys review for the AP Bio and AP Envi Sci exams. We'll set this up when the time comes.
WC
Mike Schroeder
01-12-2002, 16:56
gee what a nice guy, just dont let him teach you about the Big Bang Theory - I still have nightmares
Anthony S.
01-12-2002, 17:51
originally posted by Wayne C.
The needs of a relatively small percentage of students will have little effect on a million dollar project like the Nationals
The need of the many, outweigh the needs of the few. --Spock
http://bestplace.net/Clipart/StarTrek/Thumbnails/thm_2.jpg
Just a little Star Trek humor:)
D.J. Fluck
01-12-2002, 21:12
Originally posted by Jeff Waegelin
I don't think APs start until after May 1-3. I believe the first one is the next Monday, May 5. While it would be cutting it close, it is not, strictly speaking, a conflict.
Yes you are correct. I checked with someone today and they said that the 2nd of may is some AP Training session for students taking the test.
Comming back from Nats and hitting the AP Test on Monday morning would be quite difficult though...
Wayne C.
01-12-2002, 21:56
The need of the many, outweigh the needs of the few. --Spock
or the one- Kirk
especially if the one is named Kamen- FIRST
Joe Matt
01-12-2002, 22:17
Originally posted by Wayne C.
The need of the many, outweigh the needs of the few. --Spock
or the one- Kirk
especially if the one is named Kamen- FIRST
ROTFLOL!!!!!!!
jonathan lall
01-12-2002, 22:27
Originally posted by Raul
The latest rumor is that it will be in a dome stadium and it is a dome that opens. And it will be in a city that already has a regional. That narrows it down to either Huston or Phoeniz. I will guess Phoeniz.
You missed a place with a big opening dome stadium: Toronto. Go SkyDome! Oh wait. It's in Canada. I look forward to Houston assuming we make it. Sadly, there's quite a chance we won't because of FIRST's rampant expansion.
So, anyone think that there will be an announcement tomorrow (Monday)?
Mike Rush
02-12-2002, 01:37
I've been certain too many times there would be an announcement 'tomorrow'. Don't hold your breath!
:rolleyes:
Mike Schroeder
02-12-2002, 01:38
I hope so i really want to know so my team can make plans already
W00t
I am reply #200.
The championship should be in Canada. ya baby ya. Oh god it is earlier stupid fundraiser meetings.
My coworker heard the news this morning on WJR (Detroit, MI) with Dean Kamen being interviewed.
===> Houston.
I can hear it now already in the pits..."Houston, we have a problem"
The "interactive" map is down again. One can only hope this isn't a false alarm. Will we know in the next 20 minutes where the Championship Event will be? Who knows...
[edit:] My thought process is flawed. FIRST, if they announced the championship location, would send an email to each team contact before placing such news on their website. However, I still am hanging on to a shred of hope.
This page is also down
http://www.usfirst.org/frc/public/FMPro?-db=team%20events.fp5&-lay=web&-format=event_stats.htm&-findany
it is the site with all the events listed and occupancy so.... Hopefully the update will come soon.
Wow, the FIRST server is really bogged down!
They only have a shared T1 line for their server.
Originally posted by jk2005
This page is also down
http://www.usfirst.org/frc/public/FMPro?-db=team%20events.fp5&-lay=web&-format=event_stats.htm&-findany
it is the site with all the events listed and occupancy so.... Hopefully the update will come soon.
Yeah I think we will be hearing from FIRST very very soon
Jeff Waegelin
02-12-2002, 15:02
Originally posted by MattK
Yeah I think we will be hearing from FIRST very very soon
Let's hope. All I can say is, it's about time.
Todd Derbyshire
02-12-2002, 15:20
It's still down come on announcement
I hope they arnt just playing with us
seems to late in the day for them to do anything
nope the site is working and there is nothing about nats
For the in the dome that opens:
It seems nobody has been to Toronto for the infamous opening SkyDome.
Chris
D.J. Fluck
02-12-2002, 18:35
Originally posted by Wayne C.
Sorry Team 93First-
You may not LIKE what I said but it WAS thought out and makes perfect sense. I TEACH AP classes and I KNOW that the testing dates are close at hand.
The needs of a relatively small percentage of students will have little effect on a million dollar project like the Nationals. Remember, this is the same organization which, on the day before registration last year, cut out 50% of the teams in a single proclamation. I am sure they are confident that even if the test takers don't attend they will still have a big enough crowd to make the Nationals a major event.
From the information we have received here in NJ from some pretty reliable sources the date will be May 3rd and the place will be Houston. If I'm wrong you have my permission to say "I told you so".
Almost confimable rumors state that Disney's only date they offered FIRST for hosting the the championship was May 1st- 3rd, but FIRST had to reject because they felt that May was too late for the championship, also the price butchering was another factor.
My sources state that the Nationals will be either April 10th- 12th or April 24th to 26th.
Todd Derbyshire
02-12-2002, 19:33
I know why don't we have the competition at UNH!!! Everyone bring your robots up here we can use the hockey center as the playing field and everyone can gain some vital college experience by visiting UNH:D Wow I'm dreaming now but it would be fun.
Originally posted by Dave...
My coworker heard the news this morning on WJR (Detroit, MI) with Dean Kamen being interviewed.
===> Houston.
I can hear it now already in the pits..."Houston, we have a problem" You, sir, are absolutely correct. With a little research, I found this (http://media.radcity.net/wjr/media/paulwsmith/interviews/kamen-120202.ram) Real Audio stream of Dean's interview this morning.. Jump to about one minute 50 seconds to hear him state the Championship Event location.
David Kelly
02-12-2002, 22:57
Enough said. Thanks Joel! :cool:
now, waiting for a date....
If they release something today, can someone please e-mail my cell
Mobile@htownradio.cjb.net
Originally posted by Joel J.
You, sir, are absolutely correct. With a little research, I found this (http://media.radcity.net/wjr/media/paulwsmith/interviews/kamen-120202.ram) Real Audio stream of Dean's interview this morning.. Jump to about one minute 50 seconds to hear him state the Championship Event location.
Wow, Texas
Dean said in the interview that this years National Championship will be held in "The new version of what used to be called the Astrodome." Now does he it could be any one of the buildings in Reliant Park ie. Stadium, Centre, Arena, Hall, or the Astrodome itself? I couldn't find a website for any of these except for the Texans website, so I was unable to find anything.
I think that it will be at the Astrodome or the Stadium becasue from what I found for exhibition space there is no bleacher seating except for in these two places. So unless the are going to pay more money to bring in bleachers then I'm goin with the Astrodome.
Oh yeah, just so you all know Six Flags doesn't open weekdays until the second to last week of May so there wont be much to do on Thursday and Friday unless they wait till late May or they have some kind of special deal for the teams. (maybe a private team party?)
Kevin Sevcik
03-12-2002, 08:19
While it's true that the convention center doesn't have bleacher seating, by the same token, the Astrodome and Stadium don't really have any large, easily powered areas for pits spaces. And as big as FIRST is, the fields would still be fairly small and insignificant looking when placed inside a huge football stadium like the Astrodome or Reliant Stadium. So I think it could still swing either way, really.
Amanda Aldridge
03-12-2002, 09:41
So, when do you think the announcement will come? Also, do you think that it was an intentional leak to see if we'd catch it, or accidental, or they just haven't put it on the website yet?
Redhead Jokes
03-12-2002, 10:08
Originally posted by angel55
So, when do you think the announcement will come? Also, do you think that it was an intentional leak to see if we'd catch it, or accidental, or they just haven't put it on the website yet?
I think he didn't announce the dates on the radio, and details haven't been firmed up enuf for FIRST to want to post the announcement yet.
Robert B
03-12-2002, 10:19
Just checked with hotel near Astrodome, they said FIRST would be coming in on April 10-12, 2003.
Redhead Jokes
03-12-2002, 10:21
Originally posted by Robert B
Just checked with hotel near Astrodome, they said FIRST would be coming in on April 10-12, 2003.
Thank you!
Kevin Sevcik
03-12-2002, 10:25
Wow. you people sure do take your decective work seriously. Still, even if that is the day, I think it's important to remember that it hasn't been officially announced by FIRST, and more importantly, that anyone jumping the gun and booking flights and hotels now is going to miss out on whatever packages FIRST is diligently working on for the teams. Indeed, booking things now will probably undermine FIRST's efforts.
Don Knight
03-12-2002, 10:32
Originally posted by Joel J.
You, sir, are absolutely correct. With a little research, I found this (http://media.radcity.net/wjr/media/paulwsmith/interviews/kamen-120202.ram) Real Audio stream of Dean's interview this morning.. Jump to about one minute 50 seconds to hear him state the Championship Event location.
GREAT JOB JOEL - Thanks for posting the link with Dean's announcement. Hopefully the dates will be forthcoming.
;)
Ken Leung
03-12-2002, 12:01
Originally posted by Kevin Sevcik
Wow. you people sure do take your decective work seriously. Still, even if that is the day, I think it's important to remember that it hasn't been officially announced by FIRST, and more importantly, that anyone jumping the gun and booking flights and hotels now is going to miss out on whatever packages FIRST is diligently working on for the teams. Indeed, booking things now will probably undermine FIRST's efforts.
I agree. If you book the hotels and/or flights right now, you are very likely going to drive up the price of the FIRST package. And besides, what if the rumor is wrong and it ended up being another weekend? Then you will have to go through the trouble to cancel your reservation.
Also, we don't exactly know where in houston the event is going to be held. The FIRST package is likely going to provide the best hotels closest to the event... They might even set up transportation just like the buses in Disney World so that its easy for team to travel from hotel to the event to whatever recreational park there is near the event. You don't want to accidentally book a hotel far enough that you have to rent cars to get to the event, do you?
Just wait... I am sure it will be announced very very soon. And if not... I wouldn't risk listening to rumors and book hotels right now...
Robert B
03-12-2002, 12:29
Just for the record, this is the rumor mill. I'm waiting just like everyone else.
Rich Wong
03-12-2002, 14:07
A contact at FIRST just wrote me and said the
Nationals will NOT be at Epcot in 2003, but
wouldn't said where.
That's another piece of the puzzle!
:D
Mike Soukup
03-12-2002, 15:17
Originally posted by Rich Wong
A contact at FIRST just wrote me and said the
Nationals will NOT be at Epcot in 2003, but
wouldn't said where.
You're 3-4 weeks too late for it to be news.
Originally posted by jk2005
This page is also down
http://www.usfirst.org/frc/public/FMPro?-db=team%20events.fp5&-lay=web&-format=event_stats.htm&-findany
it is the site with all the events listed and occupancy so.... Hopefully the update will come soon.
A down website doesn't mean anything except server problems. Updating the location of the event is as simple as changing a field in the database, a few simple key strokes that wouldn't require taking the site down.
Rich Wong
03-12-2002, 15:55
I know, I know...
it's OLD news, but I was just
trying to confirm the rumor about
the Houston, Texas venue.
:p
Originally posted by Kevin Sevcik
Wow. you people sure do take your decective work seriously. Still, even if that is the day, I think it's important to remember that it hasn't been officially announced by FIRST, and more importantly, that anyone jumping the gun and booking flights and hotels now is going to miss out on whatever packages FIRST is diligently working on for the teams. Indeed, booking things now will probably undermine FIRST's efforts.
Hmmmm I think he that we have all the info together, I would put mony on this info.
Originally posted by Rich Wong
I know, I know...
it's OLD news, but I was just
trying to confirm the rumor about
the Houston, Texas venue.
Did you get the memo?
Office Space rules...
http://www.usfirst.org/robotics/CMPannouncement.htm
That was posted many, many weeks ago.
Elgin Clock
03-12-2002, 17:31
OOH... The possibities!!!!
Look at the Floor plans, Reliant Hall looks promising for three stages!!!!
LOOK HERE!!!! (http://www.houston-guide.com/facilities/convention/conventionastro.html)
Kevin Sevcik
03-12-2002, 17:52
Bah. Reliant Center is MUCH bigger than Reliant Hall. And I think the ceiling is higher too. At any rate, it's a much newer building, and I programmed the system that controls all the audio. Or attempted to at any rate. It was a summer job, and the approval process took WAY too long.... But I definitely worked on it. So Nyah. :p
mtaman02
03-12-2002, 18:43
well after seeing and hearing what u guys recently posted i'm willing to go along with everyone saying that Disney's out the question and Houston will be the new home for the Nationals this year.
Robert B
03-12-2002, 23:06
Just for the record, Reliant Hall, formerly Astro Hall, doesn't exist anymore. It is part of the parking lot.
Anthony S.
04-12-2002, 00:02
Originally Posted by: Jay5780
Oh yeah, just so you all know Six Flags doesn't open weekdays until the second to last week of May so there wont be much to do on Thursday and Friday unless they wait till late May or they have some kind of special deal for the teams. (maybe a private team party?)
Last year at the Houston Regionals, members of my team went to Six Flags on Thursday(practice day). So I don't know if its different this year or what, but it WAS open on a weekday last year which was during march. I'm not TOTALLY sure they'll be open this year though, that was last year. So maybe they will be open, there's always that chance, and if I'm not mistaken, its walking distance so it should be easy to get to.
Ken Leung
04-12-2002, 00:09
Originally posted by Anthony S.
Last year at the Houston Regionals, members of my team went to Six Flags on Thursday(practice day). So I don't know if its different this year or what, but it WAS open on a weekday last year which was during march. I'm not TOTALLY sure they'll be open this year though, that was last year. So maybe they will be open, there's always that chance, and if I'm not mistaken, its walking distance so it should be easy to get to.
For me and my teammates in the past years, we never had anytime going to parks until the last day... It was always staying in the pits until the very end, and meeting other people. While its fun going to the park after Saturday, I would go to the Championship event even if there isn't an amusement park. But that's just me.
But hey, it would be pretty cool going on rides in a Six Flags park. More exciting than most of the Disney rides if I remember correctly. But then again, its not the "happiest place in the world".
Kevin Sevcik
04-12-2002, 00:20
I checked the Astroworld website, and they were indeed open for one week in March. This was cause the Houston Regional happened to coincide with Spring Break for HISD and most Texas colleges. Thus, Astroworld was open that week to pick up the extra business. Spring break isn't going to be in April anytime, so Astrowolrd indeed, won't be open during the week.
Nate Smith
04-12-2002, 07:58
Originally posted by Kevin Sevcik
Spring break isn't going to be in April anytime, so Astrowolrd indeed, won't be open during the week.
Looking at their website, it appears their 2003 operating schedule is still listed as TBD. Which could mean, among other things, that a time for it to be open could be considered under the "entertainment" portion of the package which FIRST is trying to negotiate...
Ashley Weed
04-12-2002, 14:39
perhaps.... the Space Center will be entertainment for us if in Houston?
So we all know that is is Houston (from the radio show), but FIRST won't admit it (I tried calling them, and they said the location was still TBD). This is like when Disneyland started building a Winnie the Pooh ride in full view of the public, but didn't actually admit that they were building anything at all for almost six months.
Kevin Sevcik
04-12-2002, 15:42
Space Center Houston, while entertaining, is a 30 min or so drive from the astrodome complex. Thus, it could be ok for after hours entertainment, but won't help you out during the day. Really, Astroworld is the only option that's close enough for during the day entertainment. Unless you don't mind team members and chaperones completely abandoning the team for hours at a time....
Ashley Weed
04-12-2002, 15:56
I didn't know the entertainment was for during competition hours.... I thought it was only for post-competition hours. I know as a driver, I would not be at all pleased if members of my team were at a source of 'entertainment', and not watching one of our robots' matches, or doing their scouting assignments.:(
Just one more nail in the coffin. I checked the FIRST website looking to reserve hotel rooms for a regional. I then checked for hotel rooms for the Nationals. The meeting place has hotels listed (but no dates or rates). All the hotels listed are in Houston. Check this out.
http://www.meetingcompany.com/tmc-bin/f.wk?tmc.first.viewhotel.gen#JWMarriott
After you click the link - go to the top of the page and select "FIRST Championship" as the event.
D.J. Fluck
04-12-2002, 16:48
Originally posted by Sully177
Just one more nail in the coffin. I checked the FIRST website looking to reserve hotel rooms for a regional. I then checked for hotel rooms for the Nationals. The meeting place has hotels listed (but no dates or rates). All the hotels listed are in Houston. Check this out.
http://www.meetingcompany.com/tmc-bin/f.wk?tmc.first.viewhotel.gen#JWMarriott
After you click the link - go to the top of the page and select "FIRST Championship" as the event.
Yeah, good work sully!!
It says under each hotel under the "FIRST Championship" Catagory, "X amount of miles from Reliant Park"
Travis Hoffman
04-12-2002, 16:55
This is ALL pure speculation, but....
After a brief glance at the Meeting Company website, it seems the hotel payment cutoff dates for the regional competitions are, on average, about three weeks before the actual competition dates. If we assume the same holds true for the Championship, then......
the average cutoff date of 3/17/03 listed for the Championship Event hotels in Houston would place the actual date of the competition on or around......
4/10/03
But this brings up another, perhaps more important issue - the cutoff dates listed are all before the last two weeks of regionals take place!
If these dates are valid (maybe they are for the 4/3 Lone Star Regional and the Championship cutoffs have yet to be posted...), and the current qualification system remains intact, wouldn't this make it rather difficult/impossible for teams who qualified for the championship during the last two weeks to find accomodations via the FIRST-sanctioned provider?
This brings up the biggest question I have of all......
Given the point I made above, the apparent massive size of the Reliant complex, the proximity of the rumored 4/10 Championship date to the date of the last regional week, and the length of time it's taking FIRST to make an official announcement........
Could they be planning to do away with qualifying entirely and open up the Championship Event enrollment to EVERYONE this year?
I know that many of the odd-numbered teams who were shut out last year might be initially upset if this were to happen, but I think after they realize that A.) they'll still be going this year, and B.) more teams = bigger event = more people = more positive exposure for the FIRST program, I think they just might be receptive to the idea.
But who knows what will happen? I certainly don't. We'll all just have to wait and see.
Rich Wong
04-12-2002, 16:55
wow, great detective work, you found the
"smoking gun."
Nice job Sully.
:)
Andy Baker
04-12-2002, 17:15
Originally posted by T. Hoffman
Could they be planning to do away with qualifying entirely and open up the Championship Event enrollment to EVERYONE this year?
My oh my, that would be interesting. That place appears big enough to hold 500 or so teams, that's for sure. This may be the reason for the delay... or who knows, maybe not.
But... we can dream, for now.
I can see it now...
4 equally grouped, 125-team divisions
40,000 screaming FIRSTers
A requirement that each team must donate 2 people as "volunteers" to help run this mammoth thing
Lots of FIRST-labeled water
They say that everything is big in Texas, why not the Championships?
Good idea, Travis!
Andy B.
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