Re: Inspirational teams
 

The teams which have inspired 3946 the most are teams we have had live contact with. 16, 1114, 3339 (St Louis 2016) and 118, 233, 1477, 2587, and 3937 (Bayou, and in some cases, St. Louis 2016) all came quickly to mind.

While I certainly see many benefits to moving to districts, losing the benefit of all those great teams (including many I did not mention) roaming the country/world inspiring teams in regions with lower mentor and sponsor availability makes me wonder whether it's going to be worth it in the long run. While there are a few others who may yet come back, I believe we will only have two student members of our 2018 team who are veterans of our trip to St. Louis in 2016, so finding inspiration locally is essential.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

Agreed!

I also was hooked after watching 1678's inspirational season recap videos.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

So many FRC teams have inspired me that I will not try to list them all. But two are firmly stuck in my mind: 16 and 71.

I saw both for the first time in Orlando in 1996, my rookie year. (Teams did not have numbers then, and my Arch Rivals from St. Louis are long forgotten; however, 1996 was also the rookie season for both the Baxter Bomb Squad and the Beatty BEAST.)

The Bomb Squad has continued to inspire me in several ways: world class community outreach, growing FIRST in their state, founding a regional, traveling far from home to conduct seminars for developing teams, and a group of mentors and alumni that are sustaining pillars of FIRST. And, oh yeah, they play hard.

71 has inspired me with their work ethic and competitiveness, their RAS in 1996, their first RCA in 2006 (and those 4 world championships in between), and their resurgence in more recent seasons. I posted at the time about watching them work in 2006, and that lesson inspired the way that I have tried to develop the Average Joes since moving to Michigan.

It was really cool seeing both of these teams at IRI this year. :)

Re: Inspirational teams
 

I think for me, the teams that really inspire me to this day are 1114, 254, 3683, 987, and 971.
1114 just never stops helping out other teams in need and has always shown me that you can always keep improving and building on what you already have.
When I first got to see 254 in 2014, I was ecstatic. It wasn't just the robot that really got me going but also the team especially when I began learning more and more about them. Although I had already been on a FIRST team for two years at the time, I felt like this team was what personally motivated me and inspired me to change.
3683, although not as old as the other teams I have listed is another that has inspired me and taught me to not only think but to always be doing something.
987 really inspires me and motivates me to really push for outreach and STEM in the community and with people I meet who ask me everyday why I'm always wearing a FIRST shirt.
971 is another team that inspires me with the robots they bring out every year.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

For me personally in no specific order some teams would be

118, 1678, 254, 1114, 2056, 2826, and 978

Re: Inspirational teams
 

Teams whose process and engineering I love in general:
- 1114 (Simplicity wins)
- 2056 (Again, simple bots, consistent powerhouse victories...)
- 254 (Pure powerhouse capabilities)


Teams that make/made really great and creative things:
- 118 (All the little details and neat ways of doing things. Also chainzilla drivetrain.)
- 16 (dat tanky swerve)
- 2451 (swerves, hubless DT)
- 971 (motion profiling)
- 1717 (again, dat swerve. also shot accuracy in 2012)

Re: Inspirational teams
 

My first ever event I got to see 67 (The HOT Team). I didn't know they were a world champion at the time but I knew they were something special. To this day I have rooted for them.

Another great team that I love would 217 (ThunderChickens). They have always been helpful and an all around great team.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

Thanks man! That means a lot! Especially coming from someone who has made some pretty awesome programs himself.

As for my inspirations, the big three are usually 254, 2056, and 1114. All three are world class teams in every respect.

Playing with 118 and 16 this year, even just in a qualifier, was such a learning experience also, both went above and beyond my already sky high expectations.

Other teams that I often draw inspiration from in more ways than one include 987, 971, 1678, 180, 330, 2481, 2451, and many many others. We are lucky to have so many inspiring teams in FRC.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

I met many amazing teams on my travels through the years in FIRST but the team that stands out to me as the perfect FIRST team is 365. They are what Dean Kamen envisioned when he thought of the standard FIRST should adhere to.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

Thank you. It is an honor for our team to be mentioned in this category.

My personal inspiration is Team 1519. They are absolutely the nicest, most down-to-earth and genuine group of people... and they always build solid and effective machines. They are great role models both technically and personally. :D

Re: Inspirational teams
 

1538.

Branding, robot design, professionalism, outreach, resources...definitely the team that inspired me in the most areas as a student.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

+1

As a rookie going to champs for the first time in 2013, 1538 blew my mind not only with their robot, but when I saw their pit and branding it was outstanding.. no surprise to me that year they won world chairman's. I've always been watching what they make every year because it's just been beautiful.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

1538 is the definition of professional. Everything they do is of such a high quality. They make me proud to be from a San Diego team.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

I wouldn't forget your own team either ;). I was also amazed at the quality and professional feeling when I saw the Warlord's pit and robot at champs this year- 2052's pit was right across from yours. You guy's are included when I think of great FRC teams in the west.

Re: Inspirational teams
 

Right back at you! A team like 2052 that can bring home a regional win and an RCA at the same event is exactly the kind that we strive to be one day.