UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Andrew Grady.



Name: Andrew Grady
Date Honored: 01-31-2004
Years involved w/FIRST: 10
FIRST Team(s): Nypro Inc. &, Clinton High School (0126)
Role: Mentor / Strategy Specialist
Quote: "You might faint from the fight, but you're gonna find it, for every challenge could have paradise behind it." - Blues Traveler
Bio: Andrew Grady has a long history of dedication to the FIRST program. In a long ten years, Andy has served as both a student and mentor to different teams. Andy is currently featured on the forums for his '3 Questions' feature, and is involved with team #126. He also works as an engineering technician.

Andy shares one of his recollections: "My favorite FIRST memory was in 1999. It was my first year with team 42, and my first year as a mentor. We had worked extremely hard on building a robot that works and really bonded well as a team. At the national competition we managed to pull together some very tough victories against some good teams and we found ourselves at the number one spot at lunchtime on friday afternoon. Team 42 had never done so well, the looks on the kids faces were something I will never forget." Andy also has a great outlook on FIRST's impact. "At that moment, I realized what FIRST was all about, the coming together of people of all ages, bonding, and going through the hardships and highlights that life can give, as one whole unit for a better cause."

Andy also gave us some advice: "FIRST is a wonderful experience if you choose to make it that way. Always keep pushing no matter how bleak things may get at times. In the end it doesn't matter if you have won or lost, just as long as everyone involved managed to squeeze some sort of purposeful meaning out of the time spent." He also gives some specific words to the students: "...always remember that though FIRST is a great tool for learning, never let it control your life. If you aren't careful, it could end up delaying your true destination in life."

Congratulations to Andrew Grady, and thank you for your contributions for the FIRST program.

Nominated By: confidential

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Congratulations to Andrew Grady for being honored as our eleventh Unsung FIRST Hero.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

I have attended FIRST competitions for the past three years on the east coast and more recently the midwest, and I would have to say that Andy along with being a great person to talk to, ranks as one of my top 3 FIRST announcers. For those of you who have never heard Andy announce a match before, find a video or an audio file, He brings so much in to it when he calls a match.

Great Job Andy, You definetly deserve this.

-Aaron

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Andy, may I be one of the first to congratulate you on this award. You were also one of the first friends of Team 131 in the Alliance Era (when FIRST really found itself). After helping so many teams in the New England area and doing so much at the mini competitions, you rightfully deserve this honor. The Voice of Grady had really helped those River Rage Competitions. Since our days at Rumble at the Rock in 1999 when those floppies and the 'old control systems with R-nets" ended our chance at being Champs that weekend, I have been able to openly ask for advice and your perspective on many FIRST issues. Keep up the great work and remember to follow your own advice about FIRST.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Way to go Andy. Congrats on your ten years of Firsting.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Congratulations Andy!!

You were always the best driver challenger in high school. You have also done a great job supporting our outreach efforts at WPI by MC'ing Robonautica (even when we call at the last minute).

My FIRST experience wouldn't be the same if you we're a part of it. Great job!

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Thanks for putting up with me every day ;) You deserve this!

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Congratulations, Andy. FIRST and these forums would not be the same without you. Thanks.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Andrew Grady LOVES Hanson(The Former Music Group), this conclusion was decided during a team meeting held after lunch.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

There are few people on this forum whose posts can always be counted on to be poignant and insightful, Andy has always been one of them. Thank you for taking things to the next level.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

hey congats Andy i couldn't imagine what our team would be like with out you

btw i had nothing to do with Parker's Hanson comment

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Congrats Andy!

Although I have only spoken with you a few brief times, I have heard many more good things about you from other New England FIRSTers. Your have led the way for many people who are now going from being inspired in High School, to participating in College and then post college. Your participation and dedication to FIRST teams and events has inspired many people. Congratulations, you deserve this award.

Eric

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Congratulations Andy!

You diserve this, and thanks so much for helping me get the Blitz off the ground last year (great title for an off-season too ;) ). Although we've only known eachother for not even a year yet... we've shared some good times. Thank you for all your advice and dedication to FIRST. I can't wait to hear you announce!


ByE

erin

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Skrach you deserve this award......it was just a matter of time before you named was called. It was a pleasure being teamates with you and now i'm glad to call you a friend. keep up the great work bro....and ill see you at BAE! - JTMoney

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Keep up the great work Andy!

Looking forward to hearing you again at River Rage!

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Grady!!! Your a cool guy in my book buddy. I Hope one of the these days First will let you enounce an offical event every year. Its guys like you that keep me coming back bro. See you in NH..and Congrats!!

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Andy-

From one Andy to another, you rock.

I'm already getting ready for another round of off-seasons. No matter how poorly planned the events are, we always seem to pull something out of our hats. More then that, we have a good time.

Maybe they will start feeding us for free at all the events. Maybe.

I can't wait.

-Andy A.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

I was waiting to see when you would be an UFH, Andy. When the Rhodewarriors eventually host their own offseason I think we all agree that we want you to call every match. Can't wait to see ya at BAE.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

I'm suprised that no one has mentioned the QOTW. I'm sure that's where most non new englanders first got the chance to interact with him.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

...Or the Grady Personal Injury Avoidance Tips, where he for a time recounted each injury he recieved...I personally would love to see a comeback of those ;)

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Who's the man???

Andy's the man!!! lol

Most likely to... (oh what was it now??) Which ones did you win that night?? lol

Anyways, congratulations Andy, now you will without a doubt be a part of FIRST history - more than you already are that is!!!

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

I just wanted to chime in and say thank you to everyone for your kind words and this honor. As I always say, you are the reason I keep comming back! I look forward to seeing you all at the various competitions this year.

Good Luck!
-Andy

P.S. Don't be fooled by what my teamates said...I am by no means a Hanson fan...thank you!

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Congrats, Andy. You definitely deserve this recognition.

Looking back to the days when we were neighbors in the pits, teams 42 and 45 would share things as friends. But, on the field, we would compete fiercely. Andy was (and still is) one of the best competitors out there, but he knows what parts of the competition needs to be left on the field.

Good job, Scratch!

Andy B.

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Andy you are the man, from the moment I joined FIRST I heard so many good things about you from Kate and others. You have helped shaped the New England area into the FIRST commmunity it is today and we are all thankful for it. Keep up the good work and keep announcing at off-season comps, you make them more exciting !

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Andy, much congrats to you. You're one of the first people I think of whenever FIRST is mentioned. Maybe we can even get you to MC at BattleCry one of these days. You definitely deserve this award & I'm wicked proud of you!! :D I'll be at the BAE regional in ManchVegas, so maybe we can find some time to catch up there. :)

(Anti-)Kate

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

I've been away from the boards for a while but had to come back to give Andy a shout-out... my FIRST memories would not be the same without him! He's truly got the FIRST spirit, and he has been an amazing friend to me over the past few years... Thanks Skratch!!!

Kirst

Re: UFH: Andrew Grady
 

Andy,
Let me add my congrats. The best award is one that is given by your peers. Their recognition really means something because they know what you have gone through. Congratulations.