2004 New Regionals!
 

I heard this weekend from as reliable of a source there is about new Regionals for next year.


Boston, Massachusetts
Columbia, South Carolina
Denver, Colorado


Possibly:
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

I've heard about the South Carolina Regional too, but mine said Charlotte as the location in North instead of South.

That means manchester, boston and UTC... thats alot of such a small area

Re: 2004 New Regionals!
 

I can believe South Carolina and Denver, but not Boston, Mass.

New England already has two regionals, unless they know that there is going to be an big influx next year, or BAE or UTC will be eliminated/moved, I can't really see a big demand for a regional.

I wish it would come though. Boston MA would be a very good place to host a regional.

That would be 3 regionals in a really small area but if consider thats the home of FIRST and the HUGE amount of teams in that small area its not totally unreasonable. It would be more logical to increase the size of BAE and UTC rather than add a new one. NY has 2 regionals this weekend and a few miles away is J&J. so its not like 3 close is impossible. Another area that could use a regional is the Rochester area, plenty of teams and no regional very close.

I'm not too sure that Denver will be getting a regional...
last I heard there needed to be like 7ish (I'm not too sure on the number) new teams in Colorado for that to happen.

But I guess I'll believe it, that information was pretty old. I think that was early February, so yah...

I heard San Diego in California is a pretty big possibility too.

we have the sbpli and nyc this weekend near each other. as long as they don't put the boston one on the same weekend as utc, it'll get teams to go

Someday....

There is a bit of discussion about a Boston Regional in this thread, but I have to agree with the posts there that having three regionals within 70 miles of each other is probably a bit excessive, considering that places like North Dakota still don't have a regional within 1000 miles. Considering that FIRST has already had to 'streamline' several regionals this year, I hope they aren't overextending themselves.

SBPLI, NY, and J&J are within 70 miles and the 2 in NY are on the same weekend. Since there are 70 teams total in NH, MA, and CT its not like theres a lack of demand in that area. A regional in Denver would help out the teams in the Mid-West(even the 8 teams from ND).

San Diego
 

Yes, I do believe there will be a San Diego regional next year, as we, the gila monsters, will be volenteering for it. We already signed up:)

Cornell University was pretty interested in starting a regional in Ithaca, NY for next year, but when we contacted FIRST they said that there may already be a new regional starting in another city in the upstate NY region. I know the city but am not going to tell :p

- Patrick

ive heard rumors that there could be a regional in Indianapolis in 2005. we can only wait and hope :cool:

My source mentioned nothing about a San Diego regional....and he would know...

It's not like we are competing for our sources. So there might or might not be a San Diego regional. Not too big a deal.

I never said it's for next year too. Could be the year after, or 10 years later, or 20013894520 years later. That is if it's still called San Diego by then.

GO INDIANAPOLIS!!! That would be awesome! There are several new teams popping up in and around central Indiana and there would be a lot for visitors to do and see on off time.

I heard about a colorado based regional too, but there doesn't seem to be enough teams in this area in the first place... Dunno, maybe I just haven't heard them, but yah. And that takes the fun away from travelling to a regional (awww)

A regional at Cornell would be wonderful for teams in my area, being that the closest ones are almost 4 hours away.

I just want to add my enthusiasm for a new regional in Indiana. This is the first I've heard of Indianapolis and I think it would be great.

I've also been told a couple of times that Purdue West Lafayette (which is about an hour northwest from Indy, sort of) is trying to start a regional there for next year. Either way, I think there would be good attendance from Indiana teams.

Indiana Regional
 

If there does end up being a regional in Indianapolis, or anywhere in Indiana, that would be great. The participation in Indiana has grown a great deal and I think that is the next step. It would definitely get most of if not all the Indiana teams at that regional, and it would be great for the state as far as FIRST is concerned. I will definitely be there to watch the regional even though I will have graduated and won't be on the team anymore.

Go Indiana Teams!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It would be great to have one in South California. Sacremento may be closer, but we could all go on a road trip!

We Oregonians might get a regional.
OSU really wants to host one.
Yippee!
We might actually do two regionals next year.

I still need to find people to be on the team.
But sweet home's a football town, mostly.
Hopefully none of the other teams starting up next year fail, or there would not be enough to justify hosting a regional. All you low # teams, do not underestimate the power of Oregonians!

Hooray for oregon!

*me remembers there is still much paperwork and recruiting to do.
*me hopes there will be enough people for a team.

More mid-west regionals
 

How many of you would come to a regional say in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Wichita or Dallas?

The St. Louis regional was so crowded! There are a lot of teams in Kansas and 5 in Oklahoma and several in Northern Texas, some in Arkansas.

Our closest event is a 7 hour bus ride away! We have to use charters beause our school won't let us take school buses more than 5 hours away, and a charter costs us $2500. We aren't allowed to travel in personal vehicles due to deadly team accident in the 70's that were travelling in personal vehicles.

We would love to get a closer regional! :)

Who out there would choose one of these places, and which one would you like the best?

TS

There is a Southern CA regional. It has been there for a few years at least. It will be held the kast week of regionals this year.

Cory

I thought that one was in Arizona, not Southern California?

It would be soooo weird having a regional at Cornell, living like 5 min from the campus. It would be interesting, though.

Regionals for southern california
 

Umm the So Cal Regional is held in Los Angles in the Sports Colisseum of USC. I dont think there's going to be a regional in San Diego next year, unless they move the Southern California down to San Diego.

Team 812
First Team in San Diego
Rookie All star 2002, So Cal Regional
Judges Award for Community Outreach 2003, AZ Regional
Quarterfinalist at AZ 2003

Regarding the San Diego Regional, it's a possibility. As of right now, SD County has 4 FIRST teams and there are 4 schools who have given their word to us about creating a FIRST team next year. We will be doing a lot more recruiting once the whole competition scene is over. Creating a regional in San Diego is one of our team's biggest goals. So hopefully we will see some of you guys next year in sunny San Diego or in 2005.

I would love for a regional to come to Boston. I think Boston would be an awesome spot to have one.

I heard between 31 and 33 regionals next year, which means that there are still regionals that people haven't "heard" about.

It makes absolutely no sense to have a regional in Calgary, Alberta, seeing that there are no Canadian teams west of Ontario, which is almost 1000 miles away, and the US border is about 200 miles away. Must just be a crazy rumour.

Its not official yet, but my source (who I will not reveal still) is well almost as high as I can get (no it wasn't Dean or Woodie), but he/she ranks up there. They said that it very possible for this event to happen next year

A rumor I heard is that the BAE Regional might come to UNH and be held at the Whittemore Center on the UNH campus. The Whittemore Center is a big enough place where definitely they can hold a regional so I hope this rumor is true.

Calgary Regional
 

Note the British/Canadian spelling of 'rumour'. The vBulletin Spell Check does not recognize it. :rolleyes:

Give Calgary a chance. It was mentioned as a possibility yesterday in Toronto. FIRST is on fire in Canada. In the past two years we've grown from having three teams to about 40! I heard yesterday that the Canadian Regional was the fastest growing of all regionals. If the competition can spread from Ontario and Quebec to Labrador City, Newfoundland (out east, population 9 000, 676 miles by road from the nearest Canadian team in Montréal) then it is certainly possible to establish it in the Prairies.

And while we're on the topic:

Team 1146, Menihek HS, from Labrador City, deserves our recognition. Their kit of parts arrived a week late, and their robot was broken during shipping to Toronto. Nevertheless, they overcame these difficulties to win a Judges' Award, and have succeeded in pioneering FIRST robotics in eastern Canada.

(BTW guys - you left one of your batteries at the Regional.) ;)

And DJ: If I am guessing correctly, then this certain 'high ranking official' that you mentioned was in Toronto over the weekend.

it was confirmed by another respectable source to me that there will be a Regional in Boston next year... ironically I will be travelling to it from Manchester NH

ByE

erin

I hope its true about the Boston regional...

I doubt the Boston rumor. It will be held across the Charles in Cambridge at the MIT campus. But I guess thats close enough to Boston ;o)

Indianapolis Regional would be very, very awesome :) Hmm.. I could just see it being in Conseco Fieldhouse... wow. I really hope there's a regional there before my 4 years are up!

Close enough

Don't forget Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN!!!!! We're busting our butts right now to get it to work out so next year we'll have it here. I dunno about you, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we will succeed in doing so :):)

it'll be great to have new regionals because that means more competition and more teams! :)

new regional
 

A new regional makes sense if it does one of two things. First, allows teams from different areas to travel to a central location for competition. Second, opens up new areas to FIRST who otherwise might not get new teams into the mix. How about an upper Midwest regional in Minneapolis, Mn., Omaha, Nebraska, or Brookings, SD? Teams from this area have tremendous travel issues to get even to a close Regional is a 14 -20 hour trip.
Just a thought.

More teams = more fun

I heard that there's going to be a third regional in Michigan. I think Ford is trying to get another one running but I'm not sure.

I'm still pushing for the FIRST Arctic Circle Regional!

There are already a lot of Alaska and Pacific Northwest teams, and I am sure that the Ice Breakers can scrape up enough new teams to make it work!

Cold Foot, Alaska, here we come!!!


-dave

THEY NEED HAWAII REGIONAL!! Fun in the sun with robots.

Robot sand dune competitions!

Sandcastle building!

the possibilities are endless... :cool:

Rochester Regional??
 

There has been alot of talk for a few years of a regional in Rochester, NY. But there have been lots of problems with getting a venue. Hopefully we will see it happen soon. There are so many teams from upstate NY, I know if it happened it would be well attended.

I wouldn't mind seeing a Hawian regional...

It would be cool if there was a Toronto Regional... Since most Canadian Teams are in Toronto... But I doubt it would happen since the Hershey Centre in Mississaga is next to Toronto:( ... It would be cool if it was held at the Skydome:D

Re: Rochester Regional??
 

Hrm, Maybe at the blue cross arena. Or at the RIT field house once it's done. That would be sooooo great.

New Regionals
 

A regional in Boston, MA would be great- I haven't been there since summer n I miss it.. ::sigh:: I agree though, we should get more regionals in the mid part of the u.s. and extend in canada.. hmm maybe england. :) that'd be cool. Still working on the San Diego regional...should be up in 2004 or 2005. hopefully 2004.. ::grins::

Hawaiian Regional sounds cool... :D

now if only we could convince our school to let us go there... :D

Hawaii Regional
 

"If you build it we will come".

I am sure the students would raise the few extra $$$$ to go there and spend an additional week or so.

I am also sure the coaches would put up with the extra work and suffer the exposure to the sun and heat as well as good weather.

We can tuff it out.

One of the South Carolina teams told me that the SC regional would be held at my old alma mater, University of South Carolina (Columbia, SC).

WHAT ABOUT INDIANANPOLIS?!?!

There are so many indiana teams, you'd think they would want to have one here...

:yikes: :yikes: A HAWAIIAN REGIONAL would be great!!!!!!!!

We'll be there!

Denver/Boulder, Colorado
Reno, Nevada
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadia
San Diego, California

Don't let few teams in a state fool you.
Arizona: 17 teams
Texas: 19 teams
Missouri: 11 teams
Georgia: 15 teams (14 rookies)
New Hampshire: 16 teams
Illinois: 16 teams


Wetzel
~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little bird told me.

For a Hawian regional I think it would cost a lot of money... How many teams would actually go??

Wouldn't the question first be how many Hawaiian high schools are there who could make a regional (I stopped counting at 28)...

hawaiian high schools

then how many teams would go...

US FIRST!

Thats a list of all the high schools but how many are in first???

D'oh!

The FIRST question is how quickly they can be assimilated.

There are currently 6 Hawaiian teams.
Geogia had 1 last year, and got a regional this year.


Wetzel
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Build it and they shall come.

thats true... there would probably be more teams if they added a regional...

Reno? Why not Vegas? There is plenty of show space, lots of cheap hotel rooms, and ample public transportation.

perhaps FIRST should get the european teams to asimilate a bunch more than hold a regional over there

A European regional would be great! It's the only way to get a critical mass of European teams. As long as they have to cross the Atlantic to compete, there won't be many, but as soon as we get a regional on the other side of the pond, there will be teams jumping at the chance. I'm sure a few North American teams could be persuaded to go over the first year to jumpstart the competition, too...

CNY regional
 

What about Syracuse, NY?

It would be cool to have one here, we've got the Carrier Dome and lots of hotels, two teams locally plus Rochester's only an hour away, Clarkson's team is only 2.5 hrs away, albany's 2-3 hrs away - we're in the center of most things, albeit there is a six flags near Rochester....

Cheers

Aaron Knight
Webmaster, Team 891
http://first891.topcities.com

OH YEAH!
 

i wonder what will they call "nationals" then... haha

Hawaii
 

I want a competition in hawaii, altho i havent heard any rumors

Re: OH YEAH!
 

They already refer to it as the "Championship Event." Dave Lavery was bugging about that the other day... If they start a European regional and want to make the final event more special, they can stick a "World" in front of "Championship."

Re: Re: OH YEAH!
 

I was at WMR visiting the 188 pit and someone talking to them asked if they were going to Nationals and he responded:

"Americans go to Nationals....Canadians go to The Championships."

:D I thought that was quite funny

Is that what I said? You're probably right. Being only in FIRST 2 years, 1 as a mentor, I have only known them as The Championship. Could it be that a great many of you that call it Nationals are getting old and can't accept change?


OOOPPPPPs Did I Say That ????

As far as regionals go...we have been working here in west lafayette for 2 and a half years now trying to get a regional here at purdue.

FIRST has put us on hold however but we are still moving ahead...everything is ready as long as first says we can...

Evidently they have a whole strategic plan for regionals in the next few years...but we can only hope...

Anyone else hear that this year was probably the last for the West Michigan REgional?

A clue why?

Well i have heard that due to the rise of other regionals in the midwest region... IE. St Louis, Cleveland, and possibly new ones other places.... that the west michigan has been getting wanning interest in the last 2 years...thats just the rumor i was hearing.

Hey, what about us? Would you guys mind crossing Equator to 'jumpstart' a Brazilian regional? :)
Air plane ticket is kinda expensive but hotels and food are really cheap (like 2 dollars for a McDonalds meal) :D

Anyone game?

Re: Re: Re: OH YEAH!
 

And Brazilians go to Nationals as well... Just got used to it, we can't help calling it that way. :)

Wooo if i could find the money for plane tickets i'd love to goto brazil!!! That would be so awsome!

Re: CNY regional
 

Because we'd like to hold one in Rochester first. ;) But more seriously, FIRST regionals happen around the same time as the NCAA tournament. Syracuse always hosts part of the NCAA tournament. That's not a good match.

Matt

*chuckling shaking my head* I'm game to dream, but can't imagine reaching the goal of getting to you guys.

On the other hand, my god, you guys managed to get here!

Wahoo World Championship

regionals
 

I don't know if anybody mentioned it, but i heard people are starting to work on a Las Vegas regional. That would be so great! ROAD TRIP!:D

I think I heard someone mention that the San Jose regional will be moving to Richmond, because there is no Krispy Kreme in San Jose.

Eric

any rumors about a South Florida regional?

Florida has to be one of the top 5 states in number of teams, but it only has 1 regional!?

florida regional
 

At the UCf regional when we won that KPKB Entrep. Award they said in the speech that we had raised 2/3 of the $$ needed to host a regional in S. florida. I don't know the details (Mark Hamiliton probably does) but I would love to host a regional down here. I would want it to ve held at the Office Depot Center(Home of the FL Panthers)

Bots on ice? Cool...:D

*nods*
 

mmmmhmmmm i agree, thats neccessary... in cali... we have 3 :p

a massachusetts regional would be cool, but not it boston. Boston is way too crowded, and barely any parking. Worcester would honestly be a better spot (centrum, parking garage, resturants in walking range). there's more of a need in the midwest for a new regional rather in boston.

At BAE it was a nightmare. the pits were so crowded, and the viewing sucked. if BAE wants to move it to the whittemore center, YES! like my father says, its like trying to fit 10 pounds of Crap in a 2 pound bag. it needs to be much bigger, hence the whittemore center.

Greg

the whit
 

UNH's Whit is SMALLER than the verizon wireless arena!!!! it wouldn't make sense to move it to Durham NH. People would have to stay in Portsmouth for hotels, and lets not forget the UNH is th #7 party school in the nation. We all know what goes on to obtain that rank.....don't tell me that HS students won't try to join the college fun:-). UNH is a great school.....just don't think its the best place to have a regional.

Are there any teams in Alberta? How can I find out?

Reliable Source?
 

There seems to be an abundance of reliable sources. Maybe we should have a new "Ventures" in order to do some insider wagering. Put me down for the following in 2004:

A total of 25 regionals.
Four new regionals (One in Detroit - Wayne State University?)
Four east coast regionals combined into two (Most likely BAE, SBPLI, UTC, NY)

Yes, but there is one in Mountain View. Thats almost San Jose. They have an In-N-Out too. It doesnt get any better than those two does it? :D

Cory

i doubt the Toronto regional will happen, because like you said, Mississauga is right next to Toronto. but how many teams are actually from Mississauga?? from those who i talked to at the canadian regionals, almost everyone was from toronto or oakville or other, but not once did i hear "were from here in mississauga."

How about a Wisconsin Regional since midwest is always so packed? Madison or Milwaukee would be good. There should be more Regionals around here since there are so many out east.