Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

Team 1523 (M.A.R.S.) would like to apologize for upsetting the Georgia Dome FIRST Crew by placing bags on seats in a pattern identifying our team number and team 179 (our rookie mentors - also shared a bus with us). 179 had no idea we had done this until they were lectured regarding why the sign was not acceptable and told to quickly remove the display.

Meanwhile, our team had just left the dome for a quick lunch after being selected to participate in the Galileo quarterfinals. A huge (embarrassed) thank you to our alliance partner 1592, the Bionic Tigers, for removing the 1523 display when the FIRST officials were unable to locate us.

Attached are thumbnails of the aforementioned displays in the Georgia Dome.

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

Wow they won't even let you do that on the lower levels. I thought the call was because it was done on the upper levels.
They're getting really strict about it.

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

I am just curius, why did FIRST not want you to place the bags on the seats

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

I think it's because back in 2004, several teams got up onto the third levels and made patterns on the seats with bags, paper, paper towels, etc...and then after the competition they didn't clean it up, which meant more work for the arena staff.

SO i can see them banning the images from the upper levels, but I agree with Ed when he said that the lower levels is getting really strict.

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

I know there was a security issue that spooked the arena staff a bit, that could have possibly led to the extra high security and State Troopers entering into the stand...

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

I wondered why I didn't see any elaborate displays this year like I saw in 2005...

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

I don't think it's FIRST. I think the management of the arena made the call (people forget FIRST rents these venues out, they don't make the rules of what is or isn't allowed. The venues do. I don't think FIRST themselves would discourage any expressions of team spirit). Just do as their told. It's in our best interest to keep FIRST in the good graces of the management so we can all enjoy the facilities free for years to come.

Re: Apology to FIRST Champ. Crew and 179
 

Agreed; the reason given was that they did not want to clean up the mess from more teams creating these display. We planned to clean up the area after the game, but understand FIRST's concerns.