Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Oh I forgot about the topic at hand! I think keeping the World Championship roster to a range between 400-500 where we can get 10-15% of teams there. That gives you a range of 2667 to 5000 teams in the world under a single event. Getting another 10-15% of teams in the world to attend something like a 400-500 team Open Championship means that another 2667 to 5000 teams can attend FIRST Championship Events.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

You'd be surprised.

I'm not sure, again we're only loosely associated with the board of education. But I know they're pretty strict on the missing school for one organization rule. Doesn't matter if it is a conference or volunteering, it's still FIRST, and they've already missed several days (usually three for our "away" regional and two for a closer one) throughout the season. I'm talking about the school board that punished us in our rookie year for going to competitions (we asked for absence exemptions and were denied), and refuse to compensate teachers in the slightest for FLL and FTC coaching like they do for sports.

Our mentors are not teachers, so getting time off for the events is tricky too. It's not really up to the board of education if our mentors can get off of work. They all have to take vacation days.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Back to the original topic...

I don't know if there is, or should be, a percentage for competing at, or for attending without competing. Matter of fact, the sports percentages earlier are, at best, byproducts.

Instead, I would go this route: X teams (I'll let this year pan out before making a "final" call, but 400-600 sounds about right) can attend and compete, whatever percentage that is. (The sports model: This Y number of teams will make the postseason, and this is how they will make the postseason--usually something about being the best in whatever smaller segment of the league, plus a wild card or two.) Any team that can make it is welcome to attend the entire event (other than, of course, competing).

And then there's the one other very important item:

What percentage of FRC teams should be inspired by Championships? I think it'd be fair to say 100% of the teams that are there by whatever means, but I also think that the teams watching at home should also pick up some inspiration. Personally, I'd go with a good solid 90% (because I'm being realistic--I know some teams won't want to watch).

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

I couldn't have said this any better.
As a team that travels a LOT missing school, our school/district/state would never approve traveling to a robotics competition if we were NOT competing, ever.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Watching matches is one thing, but seeing robots in person, up close in the pits is another thing altogether in my experience. I can see good matches anytime by watching some district championships or regional eliminations rounds.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Yeah, people need to realize that if HoF teams and perennial RCA winners know they don't have that kind of leverage, Johnny 5xxx team doesn't have a prayer more often than not. I could go on about how ridiculous it is that schools wouldn't let students who want to go learn something leave school to go learn something, but support students cutting class in droves to go see regional finals in basketball. Not talking about that kind of culture change in this thread, though.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Making it to World's is taxing on any team - let alone a Rookie team that does not yet have the structure built in.

My team made it in 2013 (our Rookie Season) and our budget that year went from $15,000 to over $30,000. Getting a team of 24 (plus parents) to the event ran over $7000. Hotels were around the same. Granted, some of the parent's covered for their kids, but we included that in our accounting for the next time we qualify.

In 2013 we had 8 Sponsors - we are now at 20. However, we are now at 50 kids in our program, so the next time we make it we will be looking at a cost of $30,000.

I want my team to make it to Champs. However, our goal each year is to qualify for the MN State Tourney. This is a much better bargain for our dollar. What I think that FRC should have done is to help create state or 'regional championship' events that lessen the burden on each team.

What I am afraid of (for FRC) is that World's has become an albatross that is difficult to fund, difficult to find a proper arena and host city, and difficult to manage the overall logistics. By splitting into two, FRC has doubled down on this - without looking at the impact on teams such as mine. What happens in years after 2017 when teams qualify and then empty their coffers and then struggle in subsequent years to regain that money?

FRC is not without competitors - especially in the school curriculum style teams. VEX is the clear next successor, and BEST is a distant third. However, if the costs continue to escalate for FRC teams, they may turn to these other events. I am a bit disheartened by this decision by FIRST.

And this is the reason that I would like CMP to return to a much smaller scale and only the Region/District Champs, Chairman's & EI winners qualify outside of the HOF teams (I am not against a wait list - if your team has the funding, have at it). The other award winners and Wild Cards could get a instant pass to their respective State Tournament or 'Regional Championship'. I know that this is not ideal, but it would lessen the cost on the smaller programs.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Going to Worlds was a life changing event. It was a life changing event because we worked incredibly hard and our work payed off by winning Rookie All Star and the North Star Regional. I want every student in FRC to attend a life changing event. This life changing event does not need to be the World Championship. It takes away from the prestige and quality of the world championship if everybody makes it. Others have stated it and more will state it in future debates. With everybody going to districts (hopefully sooner than later) I don't see why the District Championship can't be that life changing event. Leave the Championship in its most competitive and inspirational form. Maybe if they do that they'll be able to get a TV deal and change the culture on a much broader scale.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

But they'll let you go if you are a wild card or get there from a wait list? Your board is a but different than ours then? We have to earn our right to get there by winning. And we have to prove it. Just getting a free pass doesn't cut the mustard.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Same answer: there is SO MUCH MORE to do than just watch.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Most teams don't compete five+ times during a nine week span.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

From experience with several years of districts, advancing between 50 and 25% feels about right. Passing more than 50% seems a bit weird. Under 25% feels cutthroat.

With a 3 tier system this gives base to top of 25% to 7%. Around 12-18% feels really nice.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Because FIRST has to plan for facility size out for several years.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

Most school districts will not justify teams attending just to watch without competing. It's also difficult to justify fundraising from sponsors etc for the same reason. I know some teams attend every year whether they qualify or not, but that will always be the exception. It is highly unrealistic to expect teams to attend with competing. For anyone who suggests otherwise, that you first have a conversation with your school administration about this idea and THEN comment on this thread.

Re: What percentage of FRC teams should attend championships?
 

My point was more regarding coupling capacity and team percentage. Others have addressed FIRST's stated reasoning (all students have a chance to attend in 4 year HS career).