UFH: Greg Needel
 

Thread created automatically to discuss UFH Honoree: Greg Needel.



Name: Greg Needel
Date Honored: 10-15-2008
Years involved w/FIRST: 7
FIRST Team(s): NASA Goddard Space Flight Center &, Woodlawn High School &, Fred Needel, Inc. &, Brauckmann Family &, Clash Family (0768), Bausch &, Lomb Incorporated/Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics, Inc. &, Edison School of Engineering &, Manufacturing High School (0073), BAE SYSTEMS/Rockwell Automation/University of New Hampshire &, Central High School (0131), Harris Corporation &, Penfield High School (1511), Hoselton/OCM Technical Services, Inc./Crosby-Brownlie, Inc. &, The Charles Finney High School (1405), (2775)
Role: Team Leader, Mechanical Engineer, Coach, Event Volunteer
Quote: "Brick walls are there for a reason: they let us prove how badly we want things." - Randy Pausch
Bio: Greg Needel has been involved with several teams in many different roles during his time with FIRST. He's traveled across the country and across the globe to help volunteer at events and help teams. Greg is an inspiration to anyone who comes in contact with him. When asked what inspires him Greg said. ”I am inspired by trying to figure out the edges of what is possible to accomplish. While I am not sure that i agree with the saying that ”anything is possible if you put your mind to it” I like to see how far I can push things before I hit that impossible barrier. I have also set goals for myself with a time frame for competition, I keep going by trying to figure out how to get from where I am now to where I want to be.”

For someone who has given so much time and energy to the program, we wondered what he has gotten out of it. ”I have gotten the chance to meet others who have similar backgrounds and interests. I have learned loads of practical engineering knowledge. And I have given myself something fun and meaningful to devote my free time to.”

After 7 years involved with FIRST Greg had this to say about the accomplishment he is most proud of. ”Most of the accomplishments I am proud of are not mine, they are the students or program success in the face of adversary. A few of the teams I have worked with have been faced with significant challenges to overcome where in many cases the community had written off the students because of failing grades, poor test scores etc. The normal problems of funding, parent support, interested teachers and general problems were solved to give kids the best opportunity possible. And the thing that I am most proud of is those students who were able to rise above the expectation and succeed.”

We asked Greg how he explains FIRST to someone who isn't involved. ”FIRST is a high robotics competition which gives students the opportunity to see their true potential while exposing them to the idea of going into a math or science related career.” Greg also had some advice for those interested in getting involved, ”The first thing I would recommend is to take a running jump into it. While you can plan and take your time there is no reason to. Just go for it and devote all the energy you can afford to spare, I can guarantee that you will come out a better person.”

Greg said that his favorite memory happened last year. ”My favorite FIRST memory was seeing team 768 win the chairman's award at the Chesapeake regional this past year. My family has been involved in that team since the beginning and having seen first hand the struggles they have had to overcome to get to this point is astonishing. The feeling that overwhelmed everyone on the team and the range of emotions is like nothing I have ever felt. One of the hardest things I have every had to do as an announcer was try to keep myself from loosing it when I was told they were the winner. I will never forget that moment and it is not just my favorite FIRST moment but one of the best of my life.”

Finally, we asked Greg what advice he would give a fellow FIRSTer. ”Students: Work hard! Hard work has seldom hurt anyone and the benefits you can get will far outweigh the challenges you will face in the process. I wish I had followed this advice when I was younger.

Mentors: Please remember that this is about the kids. There are many opportunities within FIRST which might give you the idea that it is about you; the ability to interact with some extraordinary people and experience new things, while these are a fun part of FIRST they are not the point. Know that everything you do should be about the kids and what they are getting from the program, if it becomes about you and not about them re-evaluate your involvement. ”

Congratulations to Greg Needel, our next Unsung FIRST Hero.

Nominated By: David Kelso, jade_team_73, rees2001

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg, you have done a lot for kids you otherwise would have never known. You deserve some recognition. This is a good start.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Woo hoo! It's super to see someone so deserving recognized in a meaningful way. Congrats Greg.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Woo! Congrats Greg! You definately deserve this, glad your getting some much needed and overdue public recognition of this scale!


Ps> I still like the other picture more...

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats, Greg!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

GREG!

Yay!! I am so proud of you. You do so much for FIRST, and I am so happy to know you. Seeing your reaction when 768 won the Chairman's at Chesapeake last year was something I will never forget; it reminded me of why mentors like you are here and how much you do for all of us teachers, students, and fellow mentors. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Congratulations. You deserve this!

Love, Dori

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Wow, thought this would have already happened to you by now.

Thanks for all of the powerpoints. We use them every year still:)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

So many stories, so little time!
Greg may be an engineer by profession, but deep down he is really an extraordinary teacher.
I’ve watched him in action giving tours at DEKA, teaching students to build Vex Robots in a really short amount of time (they loved Mr. Greg!), teaching workshops and teaching other students about what FIRST is, over and over.
He has helped pull together events at the last minute. There is nothing like sitting in a parking lot at 4:30 am in freezing December, waiting to pick up a field, to create some lasting memories!
He has been an amazing announcer for the Chesapeake Regional. And it was so much fun watching him last year at the Chesapeake trying to announce Team 768 as the Chairman’s winner. (I’ve got a picture somewhere…:D )
He has made me laugh more times than I can count.
He is just a really good guy.
Congrats! You deserve this recognition.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations! :D

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Greg, congrats on winning the UFH, you making the trip up to Clarkson this year again for the FTC/FLL competition?

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations, Greg! You're a great mentor, role model and teacher - and one of the best announcers in FIRST. I've always admired you for how you put the students' interests ahead of everything else, period.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

I was hoping you'd be next, Greg.

Congratulations. You deserve it. :)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Kol Ha'Kavod! Well done Greg and richly deserved! Your contributions to FIRST on a global basis are recognized by all of us who have worked with you; as well as all the FIRSTers in Israel!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Greg you truly are the best, this award has been a long time coming

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

For some reason I thought Greg was already a UFH.
I'm actually shocked he wasn't sooner. I can't imagine FIRST without Greg.
Congrats on the honor, man.
You deserve it!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

My thoughts exactly. My brain went "Wait, he's not already a UFH?"

Congratulations, Greg!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

For those who haven't frequented the Mid-Atlantic, Greg is the man. (I blame good parenting.) It does boggle the mind that he's just now getting this honor--congrats, Greg!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Greg is an absolutely phenomenal member of the community and helps out in so many different ways. Well deserved, Greg! I can't wait to see what you do next.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

I met Greg in 2006 when he was the head referee in the Israeli regional I learned a lot from him about FIRST in those 3 days and my FIRST career wouldn't be the same without them or without Greg....

Kudos to Greg!

also check out the quote in the screenshot... coincidence? I think not! :yikes:

-Leav

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Greg is a wealth of knowledge and will do anything to ensure other FIRSTers learn and have a good experience. He's a truly humble individual. Congratulations on a well-deserved recognition Greg.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

I thought the same here.

Greg is quite versatile also. In addition to being such great member of the robotics community, Greg is quite the poker player and fantasy football general manager (just ask him about trading for Ronnie Brown the day before he scored 5 touchdowns...incredible). :)

Congrats Greg - very much deserved.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Greg has the ability to seize an opportunity no matter how small or trivial seeming and make it meaningful. Example: IRI 2007, I was headed out to the car to retrieve a book for Greg and he insisted on coming along. The trip out to the car and back to the pits was filled with humor, great conversation, and fun. Greg made that happen - I would have been perfectly content to make the run alone. Of course, while peering into the trunk, Greg spied a box that could become a collector’s item and also a poster. He got more than he bargained for. That is just one small example of Greg’s ability to carve out a moment and make an impact.

Congratulations, Greg. All the best to you and the new rookie team, FRC 2775, Team DeWalt, this coming season. Tennessee is a lucky place.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Another person to put on my list of "FIRST'ers I must meet some day". And I concur with the sentiments already expressed. When we get people like Greg and Jenny being UFH, I think, "Unsung? Maybe only formally. We all know how much they do."

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg. You saved the day with the Baltimore City Vex competition last year. Thanks for all that you did for Baltimore and the Lab Rats.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

That book caused the "What chapter are you on now?" discussion the rest of the day.

...and I still don't know why he wanted the box. XD

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Well .. he lost that box and I ended up giving Koko Ed a 2nd box to take to him. It seemed to be important. hahaha

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Well deserved and long overdue.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

You know he almost read that whole freakin' book all the way back home and Cynette was reading the fifth book.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

ok now it's getting weird. It happend again so I was thinking maybe I was a bit thick earlier and that maybe the quotes are rigged to show Greg's quotes but then I refreshed and there was a quote from someone else so I guess that it's just his day all around :)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

GRATS GREG!!! This is well deserved and I'm glad you finally got this honor. Keep up the great work in FIRST and engineering inspiriation!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Sweeet!!!

WC :cool:

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

greg your rock man
you have always been one of my favorite firsters

you rock
good luck with your team
-giggles

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg!

To one of the most passionate teammates and co-announcers that I have worked with, here is to you!

-Andy

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

I think I could see Greg winning the WFA at the Championship event in the future.

*knocks on wood*

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

What can we say but congrats Greg - but you know how we feel, we have always been proud of you and we are pleased for you to receive this well deserved honor from one of your favorite communities :-)

Mom & Dad

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations Greg!!! It has been an honor and privilege to be your friend and work with you. Having observed you for a few years, I know you have worked hard and selflessly for the betterment of FIRST. It's been fun. Cheers.:cool:

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations Greg!!
For those of you who have not met this dynamic young man, you need to put him on your "must meet" list and very near the top. Greg is one of those people who wants everyone to have the experience he has had in First. He is out there trying to start teams, get sponsors, work new events and introduce people to this program. He is passionate about keeping First a quality place for students to come and learn and be inspired. And he is just a fun guy to talk to. I wish I had his energy. There are many people I look up to for inspiration and Greg is truly one of those. I am very proud to know him and look forward to a long friendship in First.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations Greg!
Well deserved and long overdue!
Keep it up!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats, Greg... this is definitely well deserved.

I'm joining many when I say that we are happy you are continuing to make a difference in the FIRST community by starting a FRC team at Black and Decker. Best of luck for Team DeWALT.

Andy

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Yay Greg!! Very much deserved. You keep the rest of us entertained and motivated at the same time. What could be better than that!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Great, Greg!!!

You impressed the daylights out of me the first time I met you, and everything I've seen since then has continued to be extrordinary. You are truly a remarkable young man. Your parents have a myriad of reasons to be very proud of you!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations, Greg!

Way to go and keep doing what you are doing! :)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations Greg! UFH well deserved!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congratulations Greg. It's been a pleasure to know you throughout the past few years and thanks for all the help you have provided me; whether it deals with FIRST or any other matter. :)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Major congrats Greg. You really deserve it. I think you were the first person I met in FIRST.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

congrats, Greg. :)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg, I have been very impressed with your knowledge of Robotics through ChiefDelphi. I was also able to meet you in person at Maker Faire yesterday and I was really impressed with how many people you have helped throughout your experiences with robotics.

I also can't wait to see Team DeWalt at an FRC event! I think you have a great vision for starting a Rookie Team.

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

As my list of mentors that I look up to lengthens....Greg has been towards the top of it for the past 5 years.

Thanks for the great designs and input in the past, and I look forward to it in the future.

Congrats!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg!! Waaaaay overdue!!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg! You do so much for the FIRST community. Keep it up!!!

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Way to go Greg! Hope to see you at the Tennessee FTC tournament this year.

Mannie

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

I would like to thank you all for your kind words. I know that I have done alot of things in FIRST but most of them are with a supreme amount of help. Without turning this into a cheesy award speech I have to thank some people.

I would like to thank many of the mentors I have had through out the years who have helped me to get where I am both in life and in FIRST. I owe you all so much.

To all the friends that I have made in FIRST we have had some good and rough times together but you enrich the experience for me and I wouldn't trade our history and friendships for anything.

Most of all I want to thank my parents for being enablers. Ever since I was a little kid they never stood in my way for various activities I wanted to do. No matter if it was doing extreme sports, youth group or building robots there were always there supporting and encouraging me each step of the way. I really feel like this award is a testament to the way I was raised.

I hope that everyone who reads this thanks their mentors and parents who have made a difference in your life. Nominate them for an UFH or a WFFA or even just give them a hug and say thanks. It will mean more to them then you can even imagine.

Thanks again,

Greg Needel

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Congrats Greg!

Such a much deserved Honor for a true FIRST Hero!
Words can't convey how much Greg's efforts are appreciated.

->Karen

(Late to the party as usual)

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

Hey Greg - A BIG Congratulations to a well deserved passionate FIRST-aholic! I've known Greg for some time now and he's always been motivated and inspiring to me. We've gone through some interesting times in and out of FIRST. I still think one of the best times was building a BattleBot out of his basement room (ever try welding on top of a washing machine?) and then spending a night sleeping on the concrete floor at the X-CATS site trying to fix the bot after it's flipper & busted 2.5" Bore Pneumatic cylinder flew 20 feet across the arena in one of our matches. {I'm sure Mr. Baker & Mr.Mark remember that interesting moment too.}
But either way - I was pleasantly surprised since this was my first time logging back in to CD after a 2 year Grad school hiatus- (3 more weeks and counting...), that I saw Gregs Photo on the UFH. I knew I had logged in tonight for a special reason and this was definitely it!

Once more, congratulations to a passionate enthusiast, an innovative thinker, and most of all my friend.

Keep up the great work no matter where you are I'm sure we'll chill soon!

Ellery

Re: UFH: Greg Needel
 

HELLOOoooo from the North East:D
Yep its me OLD MOE a job very well done. We had a great time last year in MD with you......thankx again. Don't forget to keep your sox on;) HA HA ... Take care we are of to VA this next week, TJ2 have never gone to this one I think we will be able to get this one going LOUD as only TEAM 88 can do. Hope to see ya this year maybe in GA?????
MOE and Team 88 TJ2 oh yeah ???? OH YEAH !!!! TYE DYE for ever!!!!!!
:yikes: