Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

This year the regional was held during our spring break, every year previous it was held the week leading up to our spring break. So its kind of a toss up what they will do, only thing that seems to be guaranteed is that it will be held one of those two weekends. I hope they go back to having it the week before, it really made it difficult for UCF students to volunteer. Its hard to keep college students around during that week. Also, its a hassle for the college students who volunteer for local teams at UCF, we'd like to go home :-( lol.

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

Start them off-season debates!
I confirmed that the 2009 NJ Regional will be the last weekend of Feb (Week 1) and the NYC Regional will be the first weekend of March (Week 2).

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

also, if the NJ regional starts to be in the Izod center, by 2009-2010, there will be no active tenants (the nets are moving to the barclays center in brooklyn either next year, or the year after that.) I'm sure the Izod center would be glad to have a major event be held there!

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

This would be ideal for us in 2009:
Week 1: NJ in Atlantic City!
Week 2: Kansas City or NYC
Week 3: Florida.
Week 5: Hawaii
Championships in Atlanta: We will sign up since we already qualified via the EI award (assuming that the criteria is the same as '08).

But, all wont happen due to rumors that our Hawaii State testing is during week 3 (mandatory for all 7,8 and 10th graders at our school), or too much school being missed, and my wife!!!:D :D

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

It just makes geographic sense to go to NJ then NYC ;)

And don't worry, Champs EI will let you guys qualify for Atlanta. I'm 99.999999% positive that Manchester won't change the criteria for next year. It is the second most prestigious award possible after all...

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

Somehow I doubt that the Nets will be moving that soon, especially since construction on the Barclays center has yet to begin .... but who knows ...

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

Question NJ '09.
Why would it move from the current location and is it really possible it might move to Atlantic City?
Correct me if I'm wrong, isn't AC below Philly?
To tell you the truth, I would love to attend if its there.:p

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

I guess it would move due to lack of space in the current Sovergn? Bank Arena. At another venue, i.e. Izod Center or Prudential Center, there is a lot more space and you could either hold a "super regional" or just have the room for 60+ teams to fit comfortably, as it gets tighter and tighter each year in Trenton

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

We received word today that Oregon is week 2 next season and Seattle is in week 5.

Seattle is moving into Seattle-proper and will be at Key Arena. Yay.

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

Already ruled out a return to VCU (and/or the brand new DC regional) Glenn? With 510 gone, 2009 could be the first time in quite some time VCU won't have a Hawai'i themed team attending. :(

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

Sean,
Technically, we have not ruled out VCU. Since no one has confirmed the dates yet, I am assuming its during week 1 like previous years. Our team has already decided on NJ week 1. If VCU is week 2, we would definitely consider it again.
In all honesty, our students loved the VCU regional. Everyone was friendly, everyone w"as willing to help out, everyone was willing to lend out parts such as motors (not expecting anything in return). The venue was perfectly large, the team social was fun, and we enjoy Ms. Pattie Cook as your regional director. Perhaps a return to VCU can have us hooking up with 116 again? We did very well together, didnt we!;) I really believe that since its a huge "in-state" regional, that's why so many people were friendly and helpful. Reminds me a lot of our own regional.
Finally, if for some reason, we and 510 dont come, you still have your dad to sport his cool Aloha wear!

Re: 2009 FIRST Championship dates!
 

Like rdlevy1215 said, Regional Planning Committees are always reviewing growth and new venues to make the FRC experience better.

The possibility of moving the site can be due to the contract with the venue, for future growth, to energize an area that does not have FRC teams, or even to attract new sponsorship.

BTW- Atlantic City is NOT a given. It is just one of the locations on the list which includes the new arena in Newark and the Meadowland Arena (can't reminder the name since it keeps changing!).