Re: Opening ceremonies not sent to divisions
 

The audio system on the division fields runs through a box that can bypass the board feed at the division fields and put Einstein on all the audio systems. Video wouldn't be difficult either, since all fields get the same promo feed.

It was definitely possible to put the feed on the division fields (at least on the technical side).

Re: Opening ceremonies not sent to divisions
 

It was a horrible decision. I understand in part why they do it. They want the stands to be full for the speakers, etc.

Here's the rub. Last year for the Einstein finals, they opened the upper level because there simply isn't enough seating on just the lower deck.

This year, they cut all the video feeds, and there wasn't nearly enough seating. We considered moving, but by the point we understood what was going on and that there would be no video or sound, the bottom level was filled 180 degrees around Einstein and there were few seats to be had. The second level was not open.

We weren't alone either. Many other teams chose not to move.

Re: Opening ceremonies not sent to divisions
 

We were the first match on Archimedes right after opening ceremonies. Our drive team had to be on the field and we were in the stands to watch the match. They started the match immediately after the ceremonies were done and most people were still over at Einstein. There simply was no time to walk all that way back before they started the match. We would have loved to have been able to watch on the big screen.