Actually there are 6 original teams that have been there every year.

Re: + 2 original teams
 

Errrr Try again

The correct answer is 6.

19, 45, 126, 190, 191 and 250. Well thats according to my 2001 10 Year FIRST anniversary collectors pin ;)

Oops
 

Sorry. I stand corrected.
Still, point is - They should be there!

Re: Oops
 

agreed :)


D.J. Fluck- biased member of an original FIRST team ;)

I havent read this whole thread, but one important consideration.

Some teams dont have the money to goto the championship every year, or every other year.

Our team hasnt been to the championship since 1999 - primarilly due to the expense involved.

It would be good if a team would be allowed to go if they have not been there in the last 2 or 3 years - we might be able to pull the funds together this year, it would be a shame if this is the first time we could afford to go in 5 years, but we did not meet the registration qualifications.

Also, in that light, it would be good if the championship moved around the county every few years - its a huge difference in expense between taking a charter bus 300 miles, and flying your whole team 1000 miles or more. (but thats a nother thread).

I would like to see the rookie teams all go. I think this would help bring them back the next year.

There are some pretty apparent downfalls to this as well.

Well, this has always been something I've thought about for a while...
First off, let me start by saying I've been in FIRST for almost 3 years. I havent' been to Nat's yet. Now, this doesn't entirely disappoint me, but I know that we would really like to go, If we could.
Every form of selection is prone to have it's own problems. The best way to determine a good method is by which can please the most people, and give a fair chance to all.
The fair chance is something that needs to stick.
If something based on your robot, or your points was implemented, you would find the number of rookies at nats decreasing, and piles of trophies growing in vet's closets. I'm not saying ALL rookies, but, the first year in itself is learning the flow, and seldom do rookies get "in the flow" well enough.
Anyway, I think I agree with the fact that more awards need to be weighted toward Nats.
We received the Rookie All Star for VCU(or one of them). This didn't qualify for nats. If you think about the rookie all star awards, they're picking a team who is different from the rest, and who shows great teamwork, community involvement, etc. If you're one of the 2 outstanding rookies of 60 -some teams at your regional, think of how many "outstanding" rookies would get to compete at Nats?
Now, I also like the idea of Being a Semi-Finalist getting you in. I think that just getting into elimination matches is a job in itself.
Random systems would work, but I'm not too keen toward the idea.
Just think of watching Jeff Seaton (sorry Jeff, but I'm gonna pick on ya :) ) draw number from a hat for an hour or so, and certain teams going "Awww" because they weren't picked.
Another thing that needs to be considered is cost.
There are some teams (like mine) who need to pick between 2 regionals or shooting for 1 and nats. This is a tough and time-constrained decision. Going to 2 regionals increases your chance of getting into Nats, but you might not have the money to go.
And vice versa.
I'm not saying team's that can't pay their way shouldn't be admitted, but I think that the system need some form of incentive to shoot for nats. Almost like, FIRST has some funds set aside to pay for teams to go to nats. Maybe they could earn them through higher ranked awards? I know with the economy and so forth this would be difficult to implement as well.

I think Championship Selection should Reflect Elimination Match selection, Where teams who might not have been the best go get in off the bat can have a second chance.
Now, I'm not saying teams should literally pick other teams to go...but a system of "second chance" should be implemented.
I also think team's should be asked to accept/decline entry to nats, and have runner-ups selected, so those who can't/don't want to go (I can't think of a single team who wouldn't WANT to go) can decline, or team's who have already gotten in through one way or another can open the slot for another team.

I think that the number of teams allowed to attend should be increased, to fit the growth of teams across the US.
This also opens more room for earning your way in.

Well, that's just a few of my ideas.

Great ideas - but, maybe more than Dave really wanted.
Problem: Growth rate too steep for any reasonably "fair" solution, so as stated by Dean last year "nothing in life is fair".

Stating that - but, trying to be as fair as I think FIRST should be.

1) No free rides
2) Method: Lottery,
# of balls in selection process could be influenced by performance
# of balls could be influenced by last time a team went
# of balls could be influenced by history/inspiration
# of balls could be influenced by years in program status (rookies from the previous year - not the same year, as they have enough to do just to get ready for a regional comp)
obviously the # of balls system needs to be worked out still

3) Timing of lottery: Lottery for the next or following year is done in the Fall BEFORE the registration process begins and allows teams enough fund raising time as they would already know if they have been selected to go.

I know that this cuts out the "best performers for that years challenge", so what - maybe that is the part that is clouding up the "Inspirational" part of the "Finals".
I would eliminate the name "Championship - leads people to believe that the only thing that matters is winning" and I can't believe I am saying this as I am a very competitive person (too much so at times), and "Nationals - not inclusive enough". I'd run the event like a super regional and NOT have the winners compete for a single "championship title" - does that really add value? Wouldn't teams still be inspired without it? End with divisional winners and the ever lasting question - I wonder who would have come out on top if ...

That's it - Good Luck Dave and the team