pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

Left: Mike Williams 2002, HS Soph. on 103 pictured with finalist award at PARC, the first competition he ever drove a robot in. Earlier that year he was the human player and helped win a Regional Championship at UTC.

Right: Mike Williams 2006, College Soph. on 1712, mentor and drive coach who helped lead the team to Highest Rookie Seed and Rookie All-Star awards in Philly.

In between Mike was part of several champion and runner-up finishes as a driver, was part of the 2003 team that won the Championship Chairman's Award, wrote the team business plan and WFA nomination that both won awards in 2004, and earned scholarship money for college, partly due to his participation in FIRST.

About 16 months ago Mike said to me, "Your new team is right down the street from me. I want in." 1712 couldn't be more thrilled today. Mike is proof that FIRST "works" and as wonderful as Mike was as a team member, he's even better as a mentor.

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

Rich, I'm not going to disagree with all that, but did you have to pick a picture from Philly where he looks like a deer in the headlights.

There is definitely nothing better then having an alumni member come back and ask to help out.

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

That was my exact thought! Something like "what the heck did I get myself into here?!". :eek:

Congrats 1712 - you got yourselves a good one! And congrats on your twofer in Philly (Highest Rookie Seed & Rookie All-Star) too! Woo hoo! :D

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

Oh jeez, I didn't even notice the look on his face. That would be terrible if I picked the bad one on purpose :rolleyes:

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

I hope I wasn't the one who took that picture... Though I have to admit, it's pretty funny.

Thanks for everything you've done for us Mike!

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

Kres, I can almost hear the irony dripping from your voice as you would say that!

Re: pic: Mike Williams, then and now
 

I was right behind the cameraman (flax) when he took this picture, and basically this is what happen: We're talking about some other team's robot, we pass them working on our robot, cameraman (flax) yells "Hey Mike!", the second mike turns around he snaps a picture, after laughing for a good 30 seconds about the picture mike goes back to helping us out. Then they all lived happily ever after. The End.