Re: Championships in 2017
 

I feel like a broken record on this point, but it seems like I keep having to say it.

As a team that has been to Champs 4 out of the last 4 years, I think you might be a little biased. 14% of FRC teams went to Champs this year. If you had your way, it'd be 9.5%. I'm guessing about half of them are regulars at champs. So in a 4 year span, maybe 25% of FRC gets to 1Champs. Which means that the competitiveness and truthiness of Champs is probably fairly irrelevant to something like 75% of FRC. And it only gets more irrelevant as the program grows in the future, especially as we move to districts and the random elements of wildcards and 2nd picks are eliminated. At some point it's going to turn into a huge expensive party for pretty much the same people every year. If PayneTrain worries about sponsors shelling out $15K to send a team to an "expo", I worry about sponsors shelling out millions of dollars to reach the same people every year. At some point you'd have to wonder about switching to a 2 or 4 year schedule to save money.

Also, I remember way back when Champs admission was changed from a free-for-all to a qualifying system. I'm pretty sure the howls of outrage are louder now only because there's like 5 times as many teams.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

An important difference that FIRST has failed to address: other HS championships have clear distinctions among schools or levels which are easy for participants and outsiders to understand. The Champs/Super Regionals don't have any such distinction--it's just a division of the world into 2 with some fuzziness that's unclear.

I posted extensively last year on why we lose a lot of inspiration with the split. It undermines Kamen's original insight that sports attracts kids attention because it builds up heros that they follow. We will lose our heros by not bringing them together.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

I understand the need to expand to 2 events to add teams. However FIRST HQ ignored several suggestions on how to distribute teams so as to create a single championship. That's where the the real problem is.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

I predict both events will be exciting, fun, and inspirational.

I suggest taking what you read on Reddit with a huge grain of salt.

I predict some folks will be unhappy because the new approach will be different from what they wish for, but being unhappy won't be required. Instead it will be a choice.

If you get a chance to attend either, I recommend choosing to focus on what is in "the glass", and not letting anyone else you in advance that you won't enjoy the event. I'm thinking both glass(es) will be more than half-full.

Deal?

Blake

Re: Championships in 2017
 

I've never been able to see how the super regional to 1Champs proposal addresses the concerns that 2Champs dilutes the field and inspiration. If 2Champs = 2 Super Regionals, then tacking 1Champs on the end of the Super Regionals seems like spending a boatload of cash, plus another week of time and school to extra super inspire an ever dwindling percentage of FRC teams. And, again, probably largely the same teams year in and out. If you're only talking about a barebones, competition only 1Champs strictly to determine who is King Of FRC for the season, then sure. Otherwise it seems like money that could be spent better elsewhere.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

You ever watch American football?

Make it a best-of-5, throw in some filler content (interviews, b-roll, replays/analysis of the last match), and factor in commercial time. I think it could stand on its own.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

Recognize the Chairman's Award winner both Chairman's Award winners and play their video both of their videos in its their entirety. Please.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

Re: Championships in 2017
 

Even though coming from a team that has never been to champs, I was disappointed learning about the Champs split. I have planned, if we ever go to Champs before I graduate, to get to know some of the teams across the world I follow and admire in person. Unfortunately that won't work out.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

Re: Championships in 2017
 

Re: Championships in 2017
 

I haven't seen it confirmed in other threads about the split, but, do we know yet if divisional qualifiers will be played in the arena or in the pits like it was years ago?

If we are talking about a "Championship Experience" I think that playing your matches in bleachers in the pits will be the biggest departure.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

From other threads on the topic, both events are supposed to have all fields in the pits, and use the domes only for opening / closing ceremonies and Einstein. It's possible plans have changed since then, but this information was included with the initial announcement.

I find it funny that they did this split in the interest of giving more teams the "Championship Experience", while at the same time watering the experience down significantly.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

The Houston event is going to be in a Convention Center. Basically a giant room for each division which will be like it's own regional most likely. Having the pits, practice field and bleachers for seating, in each room would be the most logical setup. So basically eight different events going on in different rooms all at once.
Einstein is happening at Minute Maid Park.
The St. Louis event will still be in the dome.
The Detroit event will also be in a Convention Center with their Einstein happening at Ford Field.

Re: Championships in 2017
 

Expecting different rooms seems way too optimistic. I see no reason why it won't be identical to 2011, except with 6 pit fields instead of 2.