Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

I think the real problem is that for the last 5-6 years, TRR has served as the "state championship" for Texas. Its the flagship of Texas offseason. And rather than create another event for UIL as they probably should have, they just decided to take over TRR and use its recognition and systems to serve as the "UIL state championship". They're sort of corrupting something that was special to many Texas Teams.

But they took it a step further with allowing non UIL teams into the UIL event. Now you've created tension where good non-UIL teams might not get in. It seems they want to have their cake and eat it too with not recognizing non-UIL teams, but also wanting them to come play.

I don't think either its a huge deal though. As long as TRR selects its "wait list slots" SOLEY based on the next teams in district ranking, the teams that will be at the event are the same regardless of whether or not they are UIL. If TRR were not to follow that protocol is when people would start being justified in being upset.

I think the recognition of UIL teams that may not have won TRR as "State champs" will be the most awkward thing ever, if/when it happens.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

Assuming there aren't more than 10 teams in the top 42 that have non-UIL students on their teams. I'm hopeful that this is case and no one who deserves a spot gets left out.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

Chairman's, Engineering Inspiration and Rookie All Star are added for an event no matter location. All other team awards are added for only Texas Events in the event score.

UIL Championships will still be in place after Districts are implemented. UIL wants to name a Texas State Champion based on UIL designated teams.

It will be interesting to see if UIL Championships is in conjunction going forward after this year. I believe a contest in May like Minnesota, Arizona and Misourri. was discussed when the conversation started about a UIL Championship

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

Yeah, but Norman, it will get _really_ awkward when teams like 3481 Bronc Botz (mixed-bag) and 3997 Screaming Chickens (Boy Scouts) and others get _excluded_ from this May State Championship.

It creates a second-class tier IMO and I know _a lot_ of others, including those with full-UIL eligible teams, agree with me on this because they've told me directly.

--Michael Blake

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

THAT will be something to witness IF it happens...

--Michael Blake

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

4587 is not a "UIL Team" if the requirements are kept at this. We have a few home schooled students that put us into this category. I really dislike their definition of a UIL eligible team.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

AND... the list _grows_ with another top-team...

--Michael Blake

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

The topic of UIL eligible teams has been belabored.
UIL is not going to change their process and robotics teams have better things to discuss.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

I agree with these sentiments whole-heartedly. TRR is a great offseason event, and I would hate to see these "tiers" fall into place here in Texas. The last thing we need is for that mentality to propagate into the regular season and create a divide between what I see as a big Texas family.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

Respectfully, DISAGREE.

I don't want to share details here on CD but this UIL structure has up-ended _my plans_ for 3481 a team that I birthed and have kept going by willing-it-to-exist for 6 seasons.

Andrew, I don't know where you're coming from on your statement but it feels dismissive and I know you're NOT like that... ;-)

--Michael

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

3999(Shadetree Robotics) is not UIL eligible. We knew this when we started the team in 2012. Our sole purpose for existing is to allow students from ANY school to participate in FIRST Robotics. Our exclusion from the UIL State Championship does not in any way diminish what what we are trying to accomplish. I sit on the Steering Committee for TRR and will continue to do so. 3999 will go through the same process to apply for an invitation to TRR that everyone else will go through. It is possible we will not get an invitation. The decision to make the UIL Championship part of TRR this year is something we will have to live and work with. Rant Over.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

I don't know... this feels like a go-along-to-get-along approach... but I _respect_ your opinion and _respect_ your team and the things you guys do.

Do you agree that the UIL definition/rules creates TWO classes of FIRST students in Texas... one that enjoys MORE benefit than the other?

--Michael Blake

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

As most of or all of you know, I'm the TRR Competition Coordinator. That means that I sit on the planning commitee like Leigh and others and it means that I'm responsible for making sure that the FRC robot-related parts of the event run smoothly.

Let me be clear that there are things we as the planning committee and volunteers who manage and run the event can and cannot do.

Firstly, it is my understanding that this is the one and the only year that TRR and UIL will happen to be at the same event. Personally speaking, I'm not thrilled about this, but it is a decision that was made well before I even started considering TRR 2016. After this year, TRR goes back to being the event you've seen in past years. The future UIL State Championship will happen some time in May, and only UIL eligible teams will be invited to that.

We cannot change UIL's definition of a UIL team. UIL is an organization separate from TRR. We can't tell them how to do their business. Also, bear in mind that the definition published for this pilot year may not be the definition used in future years. That definition may be more strict by, let's say, not allowing multiple UIL schools to be on an FRC team together.

For me, the registration distribution is a given going into the event planning. I cannot change it. But, I and the other planning committee members can do the best we can with the situation.

We also cannot change the event capacity. 42 teams is the maximum we can safely fit into the venue space available to us.

As mentioned on the FAQ and in the e-mail there will be an application process for the 10 non-UIL slots. Please consider that the committee who will decide who is admitted to these spots are likely to be volunteers. Appreciate the difficult decisions they will have to make as they review the applications. Respect the time and effort they will put into the review.

I know I speak for everyone involved with TRR that we plan to make this event the best it can be. I understand there are frustrations regarding some changes, but all of us have it on good authority that the changes will be for this year only. I am looking forward to a successful competition in July.

Very Respectfully Yours,
Jeff Erickson

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

Mr. Blake,
I respect everything you do and have done to make 3481 such a respectable robotics program. It is very hard for me to answer your question without asking a question myself.
Do you think it is advantageous to have students from multiple non-uil, private (homeschoolers are considered private schools in Texas) schools on your team?
I do not know the answer to this since our district prohibits non district students from participating in our robotics program.

Re: Texas UIL State Championship Qualification Information
 

It makes me extremely sad that we will not be able to attend TRR this year.
Mr.B to answer your qustion from our team standpoint. We provide an opportunity to girls that do not have the opportunity to be on an FRC team. It has never actually been an advantage for us in. IMO if anything not being attached to a school it is actually harder.