my only concern is if these mega regionals take place so close to championships are teams still going to have the funds to attend the championship competition?

and before we get all excited about the continental airlines arena, we should probably look into costs for renting it for the competition days...i bet it's more money than sovereign bank (and just about any other arena)

Last time I checked NJ wasn't very close to Atlanta.
There are enough regional events, as it is they have 6 going on a single weekend. Aside from just the running event costs, FIRST also has the costs of making another field then, and then the cost to fly out a head ref/staff. Some venues just aren't being used to thier full potential and thats what should be fixed first before adding more regionals. You also can't forget that sometimes teams end up dropping regionals due to lack of funding or a plan changed, etc.. So most of the full regionals will end up having a few spots turn over that you can get into if you really want to go to that event.

I was referring to close in regards to TIME. Jeff had suggested having these mega-regionals around week 5

There is alot more things to consider about using an arena other than cost. FIRST would need to tie up an arena for 5 to 6 days (at least). I don't know the schedule for the continental area that well but I would bet there would be something else going on in that space during that time. I believe they built it for a pro basketball team that would probably want to play there. Not to mention college tourney's during March. It's tough month to get big arenas. Not to mention the NHL. Mybe next year when the NHL goes bankrupt we can get some of their arena's cheap. You can't have icecapades (sp?) every weekend.

BTW. I'm an Orangemen fan I could care less about the Scarlet Knights - go 'cuse.
BTW 2 - I'm a Devils fan so I don't want to see the NHL go under.

Re: Re: Re: Mega Regionals
 

While Continental would be nice don't dismiss the Sovereign Bank Arena just yet. Believe me- it is what we need in NJ.

A few points-

- the name of the event is now the NJ FIRST Regional. J&J expressed their interest in this renaming and Mid Atlantic is no longer appropriate. J&J is still the events biggest supporter so don't worry. Check out www.njfirst.org for details.

- the Sovereign is twice as large at the RAC from last year. It can hold enough teams to make a mega regional if necessary. And the event coordinators are happy to accomodate FIRST

- the Sovereign is centrally located for the state. It is in an area of the state that could use more FIRST teams and hopefully will stimulate local interest. There is already a regional in NYC right across the river from the Continental.

- look at the list of rookie teams signed up for the NJ event. Expect big things in NJ this year. FIRST is exploding here. RINOS is supporting it. 50x05 is the goal- and will probably be surpassed.

Watch NJ to set the tone for the season this year.

WC

:cool:

Personally I would love to see Boston have a Mega Regional as it is the epicenter of the power of the NorthEast teams. I would say it is at most a 2 hour drive away from all the Northeast teams (for a few maybe more). Also there are three possible venues in Boston.
1. Fleetcenter (most expensive)
2. Bayside Expo Center
3. Convention Center they are building for the Democratic Election

Please FIRST listen to me and make this happen!!!!!!!!

Just supposing...

If we were having Mega-Regionals, where would the best places to hold them be?

-Michigan (home of many FIRST teams; could easily function as a Midwest MR)
-California (the state with the most teams, West Coast MR)
-Boston (East Coast regional?)
-Atlanta (Southern regional? Not necessarily the best location, but it's cheaper to get to than Florida for most teams)
-Texas (possible Southwest regional?)

I'm not sure if this post served any purpose...I just wanted to figure out the potential locations. Feel free to rip this list to shreds and suggest better choices. :)

ALL the above!
(your post served to maintain communications among the FIRST community and gives me something to read until the Kickoff!)
;)

I'll make Boston happen... :D

Don't forget the Canadian (Super) Regional. Already 78 teams / 2 fields.

I believe the exact number is five days. FIRST begins setup on the Tuesday before a regional and is out Saturday night. Or so we've been told...

Matt

Yes. We will :D and it will happen sometime in the near future hopefully, :D

<goes back to writing on paper ;) and looks for Dean Soyster to hand paper to ;)>

5 days has been accurate by my experience for the past two years.

I believe FIRST is going to to reduce it down to 4 days this year. Starting setup on Wednesday, and clean up and ready to go on Saturday. That way each regional save the money it takes to get the venue + staff for Tuesday.

Re: Re: Re: Re: Mega Regionals
 

see this link for my plans for NJ Rookie Teams (though this will not be until 2006-07).

I have already discussed it with the program coordinator and all lights are green

:cool: ps- check out my new custom cd title :)