Re: Sport or not?
 

Robotics itself is not a sport. However, a robotics competition, depending on your definition, can be a sport.

Some people in this thread believe that classifying the FRC as a sport degrades it, possibly because it gives the impression that winning is the ultimate goal. We all know that this is not the case. If you want to be more precise, you should say that the FRC is a very unique sport. I do believe that the FRC is a (very unique) sport, but I will agree that it's not a sport in the "traditional" sense of the word, and it's probably not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of a sport.

Re: Sport or not?
 

I don't know that everyone knows 'this is not the case' and I would never want to assume this. If FIRST is promoted/marketed as a sports competition based on what that means in today's society, then you are looking at winning as the ultimate goal. There is no way around it. If not handled carefully, the goals/mission statement/original purpose of FIRST could get lost.

Sean Lavery started a thread this past May that discussed some of this. His posts, in particular, provide some excellent food for thought.

Re: Sport or not?
 

These types of threads ALWAYS go the same way.

Poll: Is [insert activity here] a sport?

People: It's on ESPN, it's a sport.
others: So what about poker and auto racing?
rebuttle: we train just as hard or long as a football player or baseball player
counter-rebuttle: Are you really in that much physical shape?
reply: *brings in dictionary* "A 'sport' is defined as...[insert vague definition that you can twist any activity into a sport]"
*Topic eventually dies and never gets resolved*

Using this method, I could probably define typing on a keyboard as a sport.

Re: Sport or not?
 

You know they have texting competitions right? So it COULD be a sport. :p

Joking aside, does classifying FIRST as a sport mean anything to any of us? To me I don't care if it is a sport or not. I enjoy it. And as long as we all enjoy it does it matter what people who aren't involved think?

Re: Sport or not?
 

no, and i truthfully surprised that people within first do not consider it a sport but i have no opinion either way

Re: Sport or not?
 

It's a sport. The whole selling point by FIRST is that FRC is a High School sporting competition for geeks, nerds, and would be engineers. During the six weeks you design and build the athlete. Then we compete in high adrenaline, high intensity competitions. Then there are the official sponsors, namely your corporate sponsors. Just like NASCAR, thats the point. We are activily changing our culture, the perseption of technology, and what "sporting" really means.

We are the "New Olympics" & the "Superbowl of Smarts." :ahh:

Also, all because there is much more we try to accomplish than winning, doesn't make FIRST any more or less of a sport. In fact, I would say you are being biased to your own perceptions and the public opinnion of sporting. I for one do not play soccer or go sailing just to "win". Far from it. The POINT of sports is to have fun, build team work, build self esteem, and improve yourself to the best ablity, and yes win. How are these traits any different than us? But lets face it, the most accomplished and recognized teams are not necciarly those who inspire their students but also WIN consistantly at regionals.