Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Finally home from an incredibly fun event!

Thanks to our alliance partners 172 and 2067. You guys were so fun to play with and we almost took down that powerhouse 1 seed! Congrats to 2067 for reaching champs, I love your team and am glad to see you qualify.

195, 558, 5122- thanks for some fun matches in quarters! You guys were all great teams and I'd love to play with you all in the future, very gracious teams.

1735- thank you guys so much for the spare mecanum wheels! You guys really saved the event for us. Glad to see you guys win EI!

3467 and 1519- pleasure competing against our Granite State Companions. Great teams as always, glad to see you both qualify.

Also if anyone has pictures or videos from the event, posting links here would be appreciated!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Match video is up here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?lis...hV_-EmxRIc5KK5

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

This event was run incredibly well.

We got through all 106 (!) qual. matches without falling behind schedule. If we did, it was not noticeable.

Blair and all his game announcers did a remarkable job keeping the audience informed and entertained throughout the matches. The head referee did a phenomenal job announcing fouls; he clearly stated which team got the foul and what they did to receive it, something that proved to be very useful to our team.

The VIP seats for scouting were extremely useful, as they provided an excellent view of the field and allowed convenient use of electrical outlets.

We look forward to attending this event next year.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Everyone should make sure to say thank you to Kim Eckhardt for her amazing leadership and dedication in running a great event!

I was really proud of the incredible accomplishments of many New England teams, students, mentors, and volunteers that were showcased this weekend. Congratulations to all!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Also just back,
What a great event – The NE districts have been fantastic, and the level of play at the champs was amazing, great game flow while also tough defense (lots of bent metal), just the way we like it here. Off the field everyone became that much closer. Great fun to get more acquainted with the northern NE teams especially our 8th alliance members 1058 and 172, you guys were great to partner with, and we had fun putting a little scare into our great friends 558, 195 and the great rookie team 5122. Also, congratulations to our other CT friends 230, 177 and 4055 for their win.

Apple Pi (2067) is also deeply honored to be selected for one of the four Chairman’s awards, something the students have worked hard on, but with all the other amazing teams in the district never expected to get this soon, and great job by the other Chairman’s winners 2648, 78 and 811, its an honor to be in your company.

A special shout out to Sandra Brino, of 195, for Woody Flowers award – very well deserved. I know she is proud to see that there are 13 CT teams eligible to attend St. Louis!

Now we just need to figure out how to get there.

Districts are living up to their promise here – thanks to the volunteers, organizers and great teams.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

If the hungry hungry hippo was up to par during those matches the outcome would have been quite different. Hats off to 195 one of the most gracious teams that I have been privileged to know. 558, a team I know quite a bit about, has stepped up their game to championship caliber this year, watch out St. Louis. 5122 savor this moment to be selected by this alliance. It reflects well on the quality of your team.

4055 we finally did it. It goes to show you that this year is a game of endurance. We had our Rocky moment. And Kitties, hopefully we helped you regain your rightful place on Einstein.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

24 hour one-way bus ride here we come! Otherwise known as trying to maintain your sanity before you even get to the competition.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

What a fantastic event,

first and foremost I'd just like to say thank you to all the volunteers and event coordinators who made this event, and all the other district events possible, I had many, many doubts about the district system and thankfully they've all been put to rest, it was so cool to see so many deserving New England teams qualify for nationals!

To our alliance partners 558 & 5122 what an awesome run we had! 558 you guys are amazing to work with and I think it's so amazing the friendship that our teams have made this year, now to look forward to our 24+ hour ride to St. Louis together :D. Also 5122 you guys are one of the best rookies I have seen this year you played your role on our alliance to perfection, you guys have greatness in your future for sure.

I'd also like to give a huge congratulations to the winning alliance of 230, 177, & 4055, those finals matches were insanely intense and your strategy and gameplay against us worked flawlessly. 230, you built an amazing machine this year, the fact that you've been to the finals in every single event and won 2 of them, is no accident. 177 I've always been inspired by your machines and this year is no exception, St. Louis better watch out, because the Bobcats are back. And finally to 4055 this was such a well deserved win for you guys, in just 3 short years you've built up your team to a true force to be reckoned with and also congratulations on your first ever competition win!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Wow, what an incredible weekend. First and foremost, thanks to all the volunteers who made this possible, and huge congratulations to volunteer of the year Ellen McIsaac. Ellen, I have fond memories of you as a student on the Uberbots. I knew then you'd go far, and you certainly have.

To our alliance partners 195 and 5122, it was great working with you. 5122, you are one of the best, if not the best, rookie teams I've ever seen. And 195, the friendship our teams have built this year is a joy for me to watch as a mentor and an example of what FIRST is all about. If I have to spend 24 hours on a bus, I'm glad it's with you guys.

To 230, 177 and 4055, congratulations on some well played finals matched. We've played with and against you guys many times this year and in past years, and it's always hard fought. Hoping some of us wind up in the same division in St. Louis.

Finally, congrats to all the Chairman's winners and to Sandra Brino for her Woodie Flowers award. Well deserved, all.

See you in St. Louis!!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Congratulations to everyone who made it to St.Louis we will be seeing you guys there.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

The inaugural NECMP was insane. Every match was awesome.
Congratulations to the winning alliance. Very well done.
Go to the WCMP and represent New England with pride.

I want to add my thanks too all the volunteers and the committee who ran this event. It was definitely a great show and it went off like clockwork. Also to acknowledge the amazing opportunity presented by the use of the VIP seats for scouting. I only hope that continues in years to come and expands to other events.

A huge congratulations to Sandra Brino on her Woodie Flowers win. She is such a gracious and deserving mentor. So glad to see that you were able to describe that to the judges so they could see what the rest of us already knew.

A huge congrats to 2067 for your chairman's win. You are a great role model for us all.

To 195, 558, and 5122, you guys were an amazing alliance and we were humbled by the idea of taking you on (again). Next time maybe we can be on the same side of the field. :)

To our wonderful friends at 4055... Third times the charm! Those finals at Hartford and Southington were just practice leading up to the big show. So proud that we finally pulled out the win together.

And a huge shout out to 177, thank you for being the missing piece to our alliance. You were amazing team players and showed us why you are an Einstein caliber team. What a wild ride!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

U an I are too close together on the keyboard, Mama. :D Sandra Brino was the WFFA.

Yes, I get the you and I pseudo entendre.;)

Yup that was a typo, that's what I get for posting from my phone. :o

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

I was informed that the final standings weren't posted yet, so I finished mine and put them here(https://drive.google.com/file/d/0Bw4...t?usp=sharing). Teams in green are the 24 qualifiers for CMP. This only includes teams that attended NECMP, plus one of the Rookie All Star winners.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

There's only one thing missing from this incredible championship event thread,
a poem!
(provided by Deb Pontbriant, team 230 mentor)

The Gaelhawks want to thank teams 177 and 4055
For joining us in catching, trussing and shooting high

From the first moment waiting for the signal to start
Knowing that working together had to be an art

Human players, drivers, coaches and robots combined
Making decisions by thinking together with one mind

Conjoining our teams to form a STEM force of one
Without your help, the blue alliance wouldn’t have won

NRG, Bobcats and Gaelhawks aligned
To form Kittygearhawks behind the line

This is the beginning and not the end
For us all, to forge a new understanding of STEM

So Thank you, Thank you, from the Gaelhawks to you
We can’t wait to see what more we can do


Thanks Deb, and thanks to teams 195, 558, and 5122 for providing such great competition, sportsmanship, and support, You guys are the best, without you we could not be the organization we are today.

And a special thanks to team 228 GUS, you've helped us out at every competition this year, we are eternally in your debt. Can't wait to get together in St. Louis!

Sincerely,
Steve.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

just woke up. wot happen?

All I can say right now is "WOW."

Kim! You did a great job there!

I could not get a mental grip over how intense each match was; I'd look at an alliance during a qualifier and think "Oh, man that's going to be a blowout!" Then I'd see the other alliance! and think "OMG, it's a toss up!"

The hockey rink was sagging under the weight of blue banners!

One thing bugs me though...
People were unclear on what the official name of the event, and maybe we should straighten it out now:
New England "Regional" Championship
or
New England "District" Championship?

And according to the math (and the official email from FIRST) 2168 qualified for St. Louis, but regretfully we cannot go this year.

This might cheer up someone out there.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

This hurt to read... We will miss seeing you there!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Same here should cheer up someone as 716 won't be attending st. Louis either I'll be watching for sure though.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

This may make a team very happy but it makes me sad. 2010 was my first year on 1922 OzRam and the last year we qualified to go. We are a small team and I still do not know how we were able to raise enough to fly to Atlanta and book rooms without charging the members for anything except food. However, after seeing how hard the team worked to create a robot good enough to be finalists in 1 regional and winners of another we could not imagine not going. One of the very few things I dislike about FIRST is the expense but I see no way around that. It has just given me more resolve to get more sponsors between now and next year.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

13 out of 18 that attended NECMPS going to STL is an incredible percentage. This year CT has produced top-notch teams.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

A little off topic...does anyone know the name of the song that they played at the end of the awards ceremony on Saturday? It was the last song of the event and it had a slide guitar intro.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

The fact that 19 CT Teams attended NE Champs is amazing, that is almost half of CT teams. CT State championships in May is going to be a tough competition.

Represent CT in St Louis (and Einstein)!!!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

My guess is Marc Broussard – Home -
Here's the lyrics
confirmed at Pandora sample

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Teams--I just want to add my 2 cents and congratulate all the teams for a great event in Boston. You all presented yourselves very well, even when I had my LRI vest on and the inspection descision may not have gone your way. I can't wait to see some of you on Einstein!

A LOT of work went into making this inaugural season of NEFIRST go so well for the teams. I had the pleasure of working/attending 7 of the 10 events, with a lot of dedicated individuals on many levels, from ingenuityNE to the students on the teams. Every RD, every volunteer, every committee member, all had your best interest in mind and they all deserve hearty round of applause. I am looking forward to improving your experience and 'making things better' for next year.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Does anyone know when the accept/decline is due for the first round of teams?

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Just like at regular regionals, they have until the Tuesday following the event.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Thanks! And after that, how long will the next-in-line teams have to respond?

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

That I don't know, however robots MUST be shipped out by this Thursday, so it will have to be at a point prior to that.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Very excited to say, that team 5122 will be attending Worlds in St. Louis next week!!! :yikes:

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Congratulations!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

This is great news!! Congratulations!!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Finals Match 1 Field Side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7kcrVlataCA&

Finals Match 2 Field Side
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nP39EO6VBI

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

These are awesome videos... thank you so much for posting them!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Thanks for that video clip of the double auto block! We were thrilled that it actually worked!

And a big Thank You to teams 1153 and 125 for having us play with them in the big robot sandbox. And of course to all who made NECMP happen, you guys and gals rock!
-lou

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Sad to say that 1058 did not earn enough points and will not be attending the Championships in St. Louis. However, we had tons of fun in Boston, especially playing with 172 the Northern Force and 2067 Apple Pi! We were *that* close. I gotta say, the field delay before QF1.3 was probably the most fun I've had at an event in all my time in FRC. As sad as we are to be staying in New Hampshire during Champs, we'll have fun watching our fellow New England teams compete and take home Einstein gold next week!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

319 received their invitation to CMP last night! We'll be hopping on the buses with the NE teams and going to St. Louis for Bob's first time in 19 years!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Where's the "Like" button?

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

I second that emotion.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Yeah!!! Glad to see 319 made it in!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

We really appreciate all of the support we've received from the NE community.

So proud of all of the students who finally earned our coach the opportunity to go on his 18th year of service!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

I'm just shocked that you haven't earned a spot before!

Glad to see you filling out the NE allotment of spots.

See you in St. Louis.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

As a member of the field tech crew I can't say the delay was quite as much fun for us, but I'm really glad to hear it was a good experience for teams.
Giving teams (and spectators) a positive and enjoyable experience was our focus during the whole event.

Congratulations to all the teams attending the World Championships from New England, whether they qualified by winning an award, on points, as a HoF/legacy team or in one case from the waitlist(!).

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Great News. I also was shocked when you said this would be your first time. Hope we play on the same field. See you in St Louis.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

That's a long wait! Hit them hard for us. Do it for the N.E.R.D.s!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

More thanks and a team & volunteer survey coming soon, but a good friend of mine did photography for the event and just finished his processing, so I wanted to get these photos up!!

Please make sure to provide photo credit to Kevin Derwin (or KD Photography) if you want to reuse them!!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/123465...7644134626694/

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

WOW!
Those are amazing photos. Thank you!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

This email went out today to Main & Alternate TIMS contacts for NE teams:

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Submitted my survey response. I'll pass it on to the rest of my team!

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Nice pictures, thanks for posting these.

Re: [NE FIRST] 2014 New England Championship!
 

Fantastic pictures. I will never forget that event. It was awesome. :)