Re: Missouri Robotics State Championship
 

The big problem is identifying the changes. If a team competes in an event in early March and not again until May, there is a good chance that they won't remember some things they changed on the robot, or the person who made the change isn't there.

Also, I can't even begin to count the number of times I've had teams tell me "but it passed at XXXX". We get teams all the time who have issues after making it through several events, and they'll swear they hadn't changed a thing. We all like to think we're perfect, but the truth is inspectors miss stuff all the time. We're training in new inspectors every year, someone may be distracted and not do a good job, our we may beer rushed because half the venue hadn't inspected yet and its getting late. Just because something was missed at a teams regional didn't mean you should just let it go at the next competition. Heck, I've even found problems at fall off-season events on teams that made it through two regional, champs and states!

Re: Missouri Robotics State Championship
 

I see several states are represented here in regards to State Championships that are not in the District model.

I have a few questions:

1. Is your state tournament sanctioned by the state? For instance, is it through a state agency? I believe that Minnesota is?

2. I see that Missouri is charging a registration fee? Is that true with the others?

3. Are all teams in FIRST eligible in your state? (seems like a strange question but is important to know)

4. Who organized the first tournament, rules and guidelines, etc? (state with input from teams/mentors, teams on their own)

5. Was you tournament organization in communications with FIRST beforehand?

6. If yes to 5, any advice or communications you can offer?


Thanks,

Norman

Re: Missouri Robotics State Championship
 

For Minnesota:

1. Yes, ours is held as part of the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL). This is the same organization that runs the various sports leagues around the state and holds those tournaments. Holding the State Championship was an important part of being recognized by the MSHSL and earning a state-wide lettering patch.

2. I don't think we charge a fee, but that's not really my area of responsibility for our events.

3. All teams in the state are eligible. Full eligibility requirements can be found here (note: these have not been updated for the 2015 season yet): http://mnfirst.org/offseason/mshsl

4. MN Champs is organized by the regional planning committee, in cooperation with the MSHSL. It is run as a normal FIRST event, although it does have a compressed schedule to fit everything in one day - no practice matches, and fewer matches overall. It is a Bag and Tag event, full inspections, qualification rounds, alliance selection (4 alliances), elimination matches, and trophies for the winners/finalists. We skip judges all together and don't do the other awards.

5. Yes.

6. Talk early and often, and get your local volunteers involved. If the RD, Regional Planning Committee, and Volunteer Coordinator are all involved and eager to see it happen, then it'll happen. Pay close attention to the details and edge cases (When do teams find out if they're in? Do they have enough time to get their robot home from Champs before the event? What do you do if a team declines the invitation, and what sort of deadlines do teams have?)

Our State Champs holds 30 teams, but we only send about half that number to FRC Champs each year. As a result, State's becomes a pretty big deal for a lot of teams. Be ready to handle questions and complaints from energetic mentors/parents who feel that their team should have made it because of X. It comes with the territory.

Re: Missouri Robotics State Championship
 

Norman,

This is our first time attempting this event but to answer your questions:

1. Our event is not yet sanctioned by the state. It is technically considered an offseason event.

2. We are charging a fee to cover the costs of the event.

3. All FRC teams in Missouri are eligible to qualify for the event.

4. Our team is hosting the event but the planning committee is made up of several coaches from across the state and with our local regional director.

5. Yes

6. Contact the offseason events coordinator. If your event schedule allows it make sure that you can schedule it a minimum of three weeks after champs. http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...-season-events

Re: Missouri Robotics State Championship
 

Our event is organized through OhioFIRST. We just had our 2nd Championship this past May.

Yes, we charged a fee to cover the costs of the event.

Yes, all teams are eligible

I organized the 1st year event. Qualification was based on OPR. The 2nd year we had a larger planning committee and we used the District Point system for qualifications.

We were in touch with Our RD and FSM.

Make sure your teams know the event is going to happen so they have time to prepare. Our teams preferred the event occur in the spring time vs. later so that their entire team could be involved.

Re: Missouri Robotics State Championship
 

Where are Missouri Teams playing this year? Thought I'd take a peek as we approach open registration.

Currently 62 Missouri Teams appear on registration lists. Only 4 of those teams are not registered for one of the two Missouri regionals. (931, 3784, 4522, and 5098) Some of these could be on waitlists for a 2nd event.

arfa =Arkansas Rock City
mokc = Greater Kansas City
mosl = St. Louis
ilil = Central Illinois
code = Colorado
okok = Oklahoma
ohcl = Buckeye
ohci = Queen City