Re: Well-Deserved Recognition of Team 25
 

The PBS New Hour (or whatever they called it back then) did a really nice story about FIRST Robotics in 2006. It mentioned this episode as an example of what was so different and good about FIRST. Here is a link to a transcript of the story. I don't know if the video is still available.

In the 2012 Galileo quarter-finals (1718/1918/2337 vs. 180/25/16), we struggled with electrical problems. We used our time-out between the first and second matches and identified a sidecar problem between the second and third matches. Somebody lent us a spare (I don't know who, but thanks) and our opponents offered to take their time-out so we could get fixed. We didn't need it, but the whole experience is another classic example of what makes FIRST such a great place to be. 25 is still a great team, but they are not alone.

Re: Well-Deserved Recognition of Team 25
 

Indeed. Team 25 may change, people come and go, but even if all the mentors were to leave (however unlikely), don't you think there'd be others who can fill those roles?

Mentor Burnout is a serious issue for most every team, high-performing teams moreso, but that's not why most teams disappear.
^^^What Ryan Said....:D

Re: Well-Deserved Recognition of Team 25
 

The true definition of a role model team is one that other teams will try to emulate. If I were to establish a coin jar in our shop that made someone deposit a nickel every time someone said "Well, this is the way 25 did/does it," we would probably empty it twice during the build season. I've said before that when I;'m behind the glass, I am usually very focused, but when 25 was steamrolling us in various elimination matches the last few years, I couldn't do much but be in awe.

"The Want to Win" is a culture my graduating class of 2012 has left behind for other students to use. Winning may not be everything, but it's a challenge that we now set in front of ourselves that we didn't in the past. It;s a goal we set to make ourselves better than we have been. It's a long, messy road, but a light sits at the end of it.

I know 25 and other MAR teams that we played in 2 New Jersey Regionals and 2 Virginia Regionals over the last few years helped change the perception on the team from a club that builds a robot to a team that builds people.

Re: Well-Deserved Recognition of Team 25
 

Congratulations. Team 25 as our neighbors in NJ we always welcome your efforts on behalf of FIRST. We also appreciate that this year was an outstanding year for your team and your efforts. We look forward to seeing what you accomplish in the future.

Re: Well-Deserved Recognition of Team 25
 

During a time of travels, I traveled to New Jersey to check out their off season, Brunswick Eruption. Watching teams run an off season is a very telling experience and I was very impressed with the event and the way it was run. I met many people, fell in love with New Jersey, and was inspired to learn more, do more, and be more. 25 has that effect on people.

I think part of that is because they are so human and yet, so focused on excellence. The human parts always seem to center around things like having batteries fall out on the road, running out of gas, and eating at really great and fun restaurants. The excellence is not just in performance, it is in the level of discussions that they willingly have with guests from out-of-town who want to learn about team structure, off season events, being human, and catching the excellence fever. I'm very grateful for such powerful alumni such as Kristian, Morgan, and Alexa. They continue to support their team in the best ways that they can and to make an impact on people like me. It's pretty special.

Jane