Best year for teams?
 

Well, we've seen which state is best polls, etc. Time to see which year has produced the best teams. Please also state why you think that year has the best teams.

Noteable rookies from each year include:
1992-45, 20, 126, 190, and 191
1993-Doesn't seem to be any still in existance :(
1994-155, 81
1995-173, 108, 177
1996-16, 33, 47, 71, 85, 111, 121, 175
1997-25, 34, 56, 65, 67, 118, 27, 11
1998 (first year of permanent numbers, but these are still alphabetical based on primary sponsor)-48, 68, 79, 179, 180, 201, 330 (then 82)
1999 (permanent numbers associated with "age" start in 1999)-217, 222, 229, 233, 234, 254
2000-343, 357, 365, 384, 388, 395, 435, 469
2001-503, 522, 571, 662, 716
2002-868, 977, 980, 968, 987
2003-1002, 1024, 1114, 1089, 1126
2004-1305, 1414
2005-1503, 1507, 1511, 1541, 1574, 1680
2006-1902, 1731, 1885, 1901

My opinion, 1996. 1996 saw the birth of 16 (The Bomb Squad), 33 (Killer Bees), 47 (Chief Delphi), 71 (Team Hammond, aka THE BEAST), 111 (Wildstang), any many others.
1997 and 1992 also make very strong cases.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

It's kind of hard to vote on a year without some info.

Got a list of who was a rookie what year?

96 sure does sound like a good class though.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Note, from some of the responses, it seems that people are judging solely on the rookie year (or not, they havn't posted their logic). This was meant to be what teams have had the most success thru their history, voted on by the year they were founded.

List of some teams from each year upcoming.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Yet another thread about a select few great teams. My oh my. Yes, they are great, but can't we give it a rest and just say all teams are great?

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Any team that can successfully complete a season of FRC is a good team. However, the competition tends to separate out a group of teams that performs better in certain aspects of the competition. And as long as we're only giving ups to teams and not putting anyone down, I don't see a problem doing it.

Biased as I may be towards 2004, I think 2000 really had a great crop of rookies both in quantity and quality: 337, 340, 341, 342, 343, 357, 422, 433, 435, 469, and probably quite a few more I've forgotten about.

<edit>Oh, and how could I forget 365? I think all that green warped my brain or something, making me forget them when writing the post.</edit>

Re: Best year for teams?
 

The permanent numbers actually started in 1998, if I'm not mistaken.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

The class of 1996, hands down. What's astounding about that class is not just the legacies those teams have laid, but how quickly they did it. Granted FIRST was much smaller back then, but these teams ascended to the top of the competition in now time at all. In my first year, 1998, I learned very quickly that Team 16, 47, 71 and 111 were the teams to beat.

Yes, all FIRST teams have made a huge accomplishment, but some teams go above and beyond. The teams listed have inspired thousands with their amazing designs. I think they deserve every bit of extra recognition we can give them.

I feel that FIRST history is something that is often neglected by our community. I'm big on telling the story of each match. Look at how sports are broadcast today, so much of the production is not about the game, but the backstory behind it. Knowing the history of the great teams makes it so much easier to appreciate the events.

For example, to many seeing the alliance of 71 & 254 was just two good 2006 robots working together. But to those who know the history, that's an alliance of profound proportions. We're talking about the two most decorated teams in FIRST history together in an alliance for the FIRST time!! They faced of in the 2001 finals. Between them they have over 20 regional wins. Beatty has 4 Championships, but the mighty Poofs have yet to climb that mountain. Just typing this sends shivers up my spine. Am I crazy, or do any of you get this way too?

Anyways, yay for a thread which exposes people to more FIRST history and the stories of our elite teams.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Sean, I hate to say this, but 330 started in 1998. (We didn't have 330 then; a sponsor change between '98 and '99 changed our number from 82 to 330.)

Re: Best year for teams?
 

1999 and 2001... both of 648's rookie years ;) .

Now... in all seriousness, '96 hands down. Off of the top of my head, 5 time Champions, 4* National Chairman's, and some of the winningest teams.






Edit: * I forgot about Buzz... :o

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Bleh, permanent numbers in association with "age". The 1998 teams were still assigned alphabetically.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

I voted for 2000 because that was quite a year. 365, 435, 469 and 494 :p all have Championship wins under their belt. 469 and 494 have finalists as well, not to mention 349 who also has a finalist. The class has several division wins and finalist medals as well. This class has picked up the torch and is truly leading the new elite of FIRST. That being said, 1996 was a great year with 4 hall of fame teams and several national championships. I think 1999 is a tough year too. Those are some good teams.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

So far, 2006 is leading the votes. Would someone care to explain why they chose 2006?

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Probably because they don't understand the poll.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

Or, because there are many 2006 rookies perusing the forums these days, and they're feeling a little self-important.

Re: Best year for teams?
 

That would be my second choice...