2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Wanted to post some preliminary info on our regional.
1 huge item of note we will be the ONLY regional or competition with 10 x 15 pits.
We will have seating right up next to the field with a team viewing area.

We are really excited with our venue and the facilities it has to offer. We have the room to potentially expand to a 3 field regional at some date in the future with enough teams. It should be a very good first yeat event.

If anyone out there has the time come see us in OKC - you're always welcome.

Our only regret this year is not having more veteran teams to help with all of our rookies.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

We finished the St Louis regional and had very good event. It took a little bit for the driver to get used to the penalties that this geme is becoming famous for. We are trying to make the necessary arrangements to get to your event. We were not planning ahead for this event but the students feel that we could do better than we did. We should have a final work on all the arrangements today. We will be there with a very small team but will do anything to help rookie teams. Keep an eye out for the really fast Ferrari with alliance cordinated chassis underglow lighting. Hope to see you there.

Andy
Team 1098

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I will be your pit announcer. If one of the many, many rookie teams at this regional needs electrical help, I may be able to troubleshoot a bit in between listening to the voices.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Andy, good to hear we will have some more veterans at the OKC regional. We have a lot of plans to make it an extremely good event.
If you want send me an email at yorkkm@yahoo.com if you'd like more information when the event gets closer.

Ken

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Where will teams be staying while in Oklahoma City?

We're making our travel arrangements now. We'll visit the memorial while we are in town. Does anyone have other suggestions?

Thanks!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I think I am volunteering - I never heard back...

I work downtown just a few blocks from the cox center so if anyone has questions about what is in the area just let me know.

If there are rooms left at the downtown courtyard I would stay there, the beds are heavenly!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I will be there volunteering all the way from Rochester, NY! And I am coming with one of Team 1511's Super Team Moms to give support to all of the rookie teams! This is Shelley's and my first "Girls Weekend Out" so we will have to watch out that we aren't too much like Thelma and Louise. We are excited!!! And to add to that, Jane Young from Texas is coming too! :D You'll find Jane and I wearing the black and white referee stripes while Shelley will be assisting in Pit Administration. So be sure to stop and say hi!

And all I can say at this point is after having over 30 inches of snow this week in Rochester, I sure hope it truly is spring in Oklahoma!

See you soon!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

We are getting very excited about our inaugural event in Oklahoma City. We have 24 rookies that are ready to hit the ground running.

We are also very excited to have so many wonderful volunteers to come help us. THANK YOU

Cynette & Jane ---watch out! I'll keep an eye on you.....haha

Thanks to all the wonderful supportors who believed that we could have such a strong FIRST showing in Oklahoma.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

We'll behave.
psst, Thelma and Louise, are you listening?!

I'm looking forward to meeting all the teams and being a part of this inaugural regional in Oklahoma. The teams have always been so awesome in supporting Lone Star. It's an honor to volunteer!

See you soon!
Jane

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I won't be able to make it until Saturday due to work (I'm an instructor, and Thursdays/Fridays are when I turn my classes loose)...but you should see me prowling around OKC then. I've volunteered to help out with anything on that day if it's needed, so who knows what's going to happen until I get there!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

All the way from New York WOW! I am impressed. The FIRST community is so giving to each other it is what makes it special..Weather should be in the seventies for Thursday and Friday and drop into the 60's on Saturday.
It is spring and the possiblility of severe weather looks to be non existent for those days so that is good news. For those of you coming from afar give Tonya or I a shout and let us know how we can make your stay more enjoyable.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Here is the link for the OKC Webcast. Sorry for the delay but we just recieved it this morning. http://www.ustream.tv/channel/oklaho...otics-regional

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I am soooo looking forward to coming out to OKC. See ya'll soon.

Andy B.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Yes we are looking forward to everyone coming here - She you tonight.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I'm so glad to hear that there will be a webcast!

Oh, Wait! Now I really have to hustle to learn how to do all the dances so I won't look really silly between matches! :ahh:

See you tomorrow! :)

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Oh man! Hustle! I get it!

Just thought I'd chime in to say I'm looking forward to the long awaited Oklahoma Regional. I'm hopping on a plane EARLY tomorrow morning and I will be there on Friday and Saturday.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Just FYI, video from today (Friday) is now up on SOAP108:
http://www.soap.circuitrunners.com/2008/movies/ok/

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Finally free from the clutches of work! See all of you in Okie City tomorrow ;o) I shouldn't be too hard to spot...I'll probably have to dig up an old school FIRST tshirt to wear so I don't stick out too bad! :p I wish I still had my Florida tie dye....

This will be my boyfriend's first introduction to FIRST as well...who knows, if we get lucky and I can network, I may be back in time for 2009...

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

All but one of the qualification matches are up on SOAP108.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Congratulations to 476 on the Regional Chairman's Award, and to Tonya Scott on the Outstanding Volunteer Award.

Also, a big shout out to STL area team 1098 and their amazing racer 'bot. The represented us well by seeding #2, and showed they have top-notch scouts by picking 476.

Who won the WFFA? The FIRST site only shows that it was a 476 mentor, but lists the name of the team instead of the individual.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Tonya Scott.

Congratulations to the winning alliance (1806, 2165, 2354) and 476.

I've got all of the eliminations up on SOAP108 now.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

What a great inaugural event OKC was - thanks to all that helped to make this an outstanding event. From the 10 X 15 pits, to the computers that were given away, the outstanding demonstration of good ol Oklahoma hospitality everything went very well indeed. A special thanks goes out to the teams from out of state that helped make this event tremendous 1098 - 1806 - 1666 Hopefully I did not forget anyone. The friends from around the country that came to help us was a sign of true graciousness. Our team and state look forward to many more years of helping to host this regional and making even more friends over the next several years.

ken york

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Tonya was also given the Outstanding Volunteer Award yesterday and FRC 476 was awarded the Chairman's.

The regional was a very special inaugural event and I was delighted to be there to experience it. Oklahoma City is beautiful. It is a sparkling treasure filled with fun - things to do, museums, art - fun. Bricktown is within walking distance of the event center and is a place to explore, eat, sit, visit, take a relaxing boat ride up and down the canal. Incredible.

Cynette, her friend, Shelley, and I went to the Oklahoma City National Memorial on Friday evening at sunset. We were told that it is a very special time to go as the sun goes down and the chairs softly begin to glow. It was a moving experience. Several of the people that were volunteering at the regional and were members of the teams, told me of friends they had lost that day. They were glad we took the time to go experience it.

Oklahoma is friendly - warm - friendly - beautiful - fun.
I wish many years of growth, development, maturity, and fun to the regional, the planning committee, and the rookie teams that were so 'AWEsome' to work with. Thanks to the veteran teams who were in the minority but were great role models and supporters of and for the rookies.

It was a very special weekend and an exciting competition.
Jane

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

The Oklahoma City Regional--A DREAM COME TRUE

Team 476 did finally win the Chairmans Award after 9 years!! WOW-it feels great. The team is humbled to be representing the inaugural OKC Regional! We will try our very best at the Championship!

There are some Thank You's that need to be given out.

There were 3 teams from out of state--thanks for being such good role models for the Oklahoma rookies! We hope you will come back next year!

The volunteers were incredible!! Thank you DELL for providing volunteers and giving each team 2 computers! (not to mention the computers given to students at the team social)

The Team Social at The Science Museum of Oklahoma was GREAT! Thank you SONIC for the gift cards & water bottles. The frozen Cheetos were also a big hit, along with Segway rides.

The Regional Planning Committee---an awesome group of people to work with!! Going out of their way to make sure the teams would be comfortable by providing a student lounge area, and an adult lounge area and 10x15 pits!

Harold Holley--our Regional Director--did a great job. His 1st FIRST event was the KC regional just 2 weeks before! You did a great job! Thanks to all the Show Ready people and FIRST staff! Steve & Beth--you were great! Thanks to Andy & Mark! We appreciate your leadership and guidance at the event.

Thanks to Team 476 for setting up and breaking down the playing field.

The rookies looked so good! They drove long hours to OSU for the TEAM SUMMIT last September for training, and stayed all day after the Kickoff to complete their Kit-Bot----you guys are "SUPER-ROOKIES". Thanks to Ed & Jean Latimer, Ken York, Mike Smith, Mark Pierce, Art Waldenville, Jason Raugh, Lane & Joe Matheson, and the many other veteran mentors that helped the rookies on kickoff.

Ron & Rhonda Markum, and the entire Thunderstorm Robotics team ----you guys are incredible! Thanks for everything you have done to help the rookie teams!

Thanks to Dr. Karl Reid for hosting all the FIRST Robotics events at OSU! Thanks for believing that we could have a Regional at OSU!

Thank you Jane, Cynette, & Shelley for flying in on your own to help us! I never did get the "Thelma & Louis" stories! By the way---can I get dance lessons?

Thanks to Paul & Barry for coming and helping with the game play by play.

Thanks to everyone that played a part! It was a dream come true for this biology teacher!

The Oklahoma Regional was a true success! We can't wait till next year.

Our goal next year is to have 64 teams!!! So veterans----get ready to come to OKC next March!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

ONE MORE THING...............................

ED & KEN---

YOU GUYS ROCK

thanks for being there for all the teams!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

I finally got the last missing match up on SOAP108. Also, the Blue Alliance now has the video up on their site.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Teams that attended OKC--we need pics and video of the event. If you have any thing with our team--we could really use it!! Thanks

Just send to my e-mail.

Thanks for everything

Tonya

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

First off let me second all of the “Thanks” that Mrs. Scott just threw out. I know that our mentors have worked incredibly hard for the last nine years to get this regional pulled together, and their dream has finally come true in a spectacular fashion. Thank you Mrs. Scott, Ken and Ed for everything that you have done for the regional, the team, and for every student you have come in contact with including me.

Second, let me tell you a little about the regional from a student prospective.

IT ROCKED!!!

10X15 Pits were SWEET! The teams were awesome! But most of all the team social at the Omniplex was AMAZING! I mean talk about letting out your inner nerd in a frenzy of fun and excitement, it was awesome. Everyone received FIRST sport bags, Sonic gift cards were given out, students could win computers, and every team was given TWO FREE computers. Our team, 476, only made it into the semifinals, but rocking out with SWAT and everyone on the field was just as much fun as if we were competing ourselves.

That reminds me, let me give a shout out to SWAT. You guys ROCK! I mean two regional championships; you are doing awesome and winning in the right way. Gracious Professionalism at its best.

There were two practice fields set up so teams never had a problem, our judges were awesome with one of them being John Herrington, the first Native American astronaut to fly in space, and Bricktown is always a blast with amazaing restaurants and attractions to see.

To any teams coming next year, I would also encourage you to go to Celebration Station. I think that would rock to have an unofficial after-after party there because, believe it or not, spraying each other in bumper boats when its 40 degrees outside is a BLAST!

I want to encourage all teams across the country to come check this regional out next year. The Cox center is a great place to hold the regional, the state of Oklahoma is going all out to support FIRST, and if I and others who attended the regional can effectively tell you how awesome it was, Oklahoma City could easily become a Super regional. I am a senior this year, but I will without question come back next year and volunteer at this regional. Oklahoma City truly embodied the spirit, frenzy and the FUN of FIRST robotics.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

hm....I just might have one or two pictures. <grin>
--
Not on the same topic, representatives of the Chickasaw Nation began the opening ceremony on Saturday. One of the refs was helping to explain some of the symbolism of the dances to me. I was wondering if any teams could give some insight into this incredible beginning on Saturday.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Oh and one other thing, thanks to Alec Carson, Brina Hoddy, Dara Marlar, and Chandler Demming from Team 476 for doing an awesome job with the National Anthem both days. Good job guys!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Steven - thanks for getting the videos up. Great Job.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

To all the teams and Volunteers, thanks for making it a great time!

And Tonya, if the video is available from the start of the awards ceremony, I would love a copy of it!

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Our team is also looking for video of opening ceremonies and both awards ceremonies. The 1st time I don't take a VCR and tape everything, is actually when we want it the most.

If anyone has a recording of opening ceremonies or awards, please let me know.

Thanks

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Friday's opening ceremonies and the first part of the awards are on SOAP. I have the rest of Friday's awards, but haven't compressed and uploaded it yet. I do not have Saturday's opening ceremonies or awards.

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Hey guys those were some really good matches, in behalf of our team (2391, TigerDrive) we thank you all for the help, advice, and inspiration, we had some good matches and some really bad ones but we'll come back next year with a better greater machine and hopefully we'll make it to at least semi-finals, good job to everyone :)

-JGA

Re: 2008 Oklahoma City Regional
 

Hi Mrs. Scott, E-Mail me paradine_ai@hotmail.com. I would like to catch up.:)