Chief Delphi - 2009 Regional Dates Announced (Unofficial)

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Re: 2009 Regional Dates Announced (Unofficial)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cory (Post 764825)

It's maybe like 5 or 6 blocks from the strip. Definitely walkable.

I live on campus at UNLV, it is walkable... but probably not the safest means of getting to the strip past 7p.m. on a friday or saturday night. Taxi cab is probably the way to go.

-Keaton

Re: 2009 Regional Dates Announced (Unofficial)

The DevilDawgs will be in Boston for sure. We're still arguing as to what other event to attend

Re: 2009 Regional Dates Officially Anounced

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMiller (Post 765073)

My understanding is that the will be on the Minneapolis University of Minnesota campus. One in Williams Arena where is was this year and one in Mariucci Arena.

Last I heard about numbers of MN teams was this: last year there were 54 teams (38 rookies, 14 second year teams, a third year team, and a fourth year team). From my understanding, there shouldn't be any loss of teams. Beyond that, there were at least 20+ teams already planning to start a team during the late spring time frame. As was mentioned previously, there were enough teams from the Dakotas and Minnesota, that not all those teams could go to Minneapolis. On top of that, only five teams from outside the Dakotas and MN were able to come.
That is the reason for the multiple regionals. I didn't realize though that they decided to go that route versus a super regional.

This is correct. The North Star Regional will be held in Mariucci Arena and the 10,000 Lakes Regional will be held in Williams Arena (with pits in the Sports Pavillion). Someone previously in the thread mentioned the events being 3 miles away from each other, the buildings are actually right across the street from each other.

If I had to guess the reason that they choose to go with this dual regional setup I would say that decision likely fell out of the available venues. They couldn't make a single regional much if any bigger than it was this past year and demand for space already exceeded the number of spots even if just MN and Dakota's teams were counted (10 MN teams attended WI as their only regional and only 5 teams outside MN, ND, SD came to MN). Unlike a number of the University of Minnesota buildings Marriuci and Williams Arena are not connected by underground tunnels and routinely transporting robots outside in the winter in MN is just not a good idea. So the only real way they could increase capacity would be to have two separate events so the robots did not have to travel between the venues.

For those that are unsure of why MN has 2 simultaneous regionals, check the registration when all is said and done. I have a strong feeling that both events will be at max capacity.

Re: 2009 Regional Dates Officially Anounced

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikesrock (Post 768609)

This is correct. From what I heard, the options on the board were:

1.) Minnesota Double Regional
2.) 2 Minnesota Regionals, 2 Seperate Weekends
3.) Wisconsin Double Regional

Wisconsin has the pit space for a double regional, but the real problem was the growing number of Minnesota teams. Also, Minnesota is a completely independentally funded regional while Wisconsin is still relying on NASA funds for another year or two. Minnesota was the better option with all the large facilities, and the funding from 3M, Boston Scientific, and Medtronics. My guess is that they figured it was easier to do two regionals in one weekend than two different weekends. They can group a lot of things-to-do together... This isn't to say that 2 regionals in 1 weekend is an easy thing to do.

Re: 2009 Regional Dates Officially Anounced

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vikesrock (Post 768609)

Someone previously in the thread mentioned the events being 3 miles away from each other, the buildings are actually right across the street from each other.

If I had to guess the reason that they choose to go with this dual regional setup I would say that decision likely fell out of the available venues. They couldn't make a single regional much if any bigger than it was this past year and demand for space already exceeded the number of spots even if just MN and Dakota's teams were counted (10 MN teams attended WI as their only regional and only 5 teams outside MN, ND, SD came to MN). Unlike a number of the University of Minnesota buildings Marriuci and Williams Arena are not connected by underground tunnels and routinely transporting robots outside in the winter in MN is just not a good idea. So the only real way they could increase capacity would be to have two separate events so the robots did not have to travel between the venues.

For those that are unsure of why MN has 2 simultaneous regionals, check the registration when all is said and done. I have a strong feeling that both events will be at max capacity.

Actually, he said 0.3, but left the leading 0 off so it was hard to see...

There are no venues at the U of M that have the space for a super (2 field) regional. The U is a major supporter of FIRST in MN, to the extent that the regional last year was being held in the basketball fieldhouse while the state high school basketball tournament was held elsewhere. The regionals are being operated as seperate events, with seperate volunteer coordinators, etc. They are just across the street from each other at the same time, so it will be possible to mingle with all the teams in the state. I have not heard anything about a social event (we didn't have one last year) but if there is one I hope that it will be a single event for both groups to get together.

After several teams had to go out of state last year to compete, there was a wonderful committment on the part of the regional planning committee to make sure that every team in MN would be able to compete in the state this year. The double regional is the result.

Re: 2009 Regional Dates Officially Anounced

Quote:

Originally Posted by Browzilla (Post 764584)

We got stuck in Milwaukee.

From what I gathered, the MN one's competition was kind of pathetic with so many new teams; only about 5 teams actually were pretty good.

Milwaukee was filled with awesome teams, and we, as a rookie team, took 8th in finals.

I always wonder what would've happened had we gotten into MN.

But anyway, 8th was awesome, and everyone learned a ton!

I'm not sure where you gathered that impression from, the competition at MN was as good as it was at any of the other events I attended, including the Championship. There were a lot of rookies, but there were a lot of very impressive rookies.

I didn't get to go to Milwaukee with you guys (sorry!) but I've seen all the video of the matches. You did a great job and I'm very proud, but I also don't think you would have done a whole lot better at MN (sorry again).

-Jeff

PS: Make sure someone lets me know when the team is meeting, I have not heard anything from anyone yet this fall.