Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

For us, it was defensively holding the 45/234/461 powerhouse to its lowest score of the event (DC as well). At one point our driver had both 45 and 234 pinned in a corner for what seemed like 20 seconds. 2040 (Team Spirit winner) and 1327 (WFFA winner) made a great alliance with superb strategy - if it weren't for a couple unfortunate-for-us supercells, things would have been very different. It was an honor playing with you guys, and it was an honor to lose to the eventual finalists.

Hooray for an all-Indiana finals! The cities of Carmel, Russiaville, Indianapolis, Kokomo, and West Lafayette were well-represented. Other notable Indiana residents: Brant Bowen and David Kolberg, the Outstanding Volunteer and WFFA winner. With 45 winning the Chairman's, everybody BMR is sending to Atlanta is from the Hoosier (read: Boiler) state.

I had the pleasure of serving as a volunteer for the first time, as a queuer and pit announcer. Not only was I able to gain some insight as to how a real event runs (which may come in handy when it's time for CAGE Match 2009 - October 3rd, mark your calendars!), but I was able to see how mature and professional the teams were. We were ahead of schedule on Friday until the electrical mishap, and we not only made up several matches on Saturday morning, but finished on schedule as well! I don't care what the team numbers said, on Friday there were no rookies there.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

I thought after SB 40 and SB 43 the Terrible Towels would be white with black stripes.

We were 8 matches behind on Saturday morning and ran 5:30 match times all day Saturday to only finish 25 minutes behind.

A big thanks goes to all of the teams at the competition for working with us through the trouble.

Contrats to everybody at the competition...it was a blast.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

BTW Collin, I thought your Friday awards speech was great.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

obviously good parenting* ;)


* absentee father, strong mother

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Once again, Fantasy FIRST would like to know who won the Delphi Driving Tomorrow's Technology Award. Team 2393 (listed) did not attend, and not knowing who really won is holding up our scoring. If you know, please post here or in the Season Long Fantasy FIRST thread.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Can't really recall who won it myself to be honest. I think it started with an 8. I know thats not very helpful, but thats all I recall.

PS: not positive about that either

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Might have been 868, but don't quote me on that.

I also forgot to mention how ecstatic our team was to win a judge's award for our efforts with PG^(RED). Please take a few seconds and go check out all the cool / funny robotics-related shirts at our online store: http://pg1646.spreadshirt.com
All of the profits from the shirt purchases go to African Entrepreneurs through www.kiva.org

We're always in the process of uploading new designs / creating new ones. Below are a few of the newer ones (available in various colors)

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

I'm a little jealous that I've graduated, and wasn't on the team when 868 finally won a regional.
I was there Saturday, with my little brother (2) and little sister (10). My parents tell me he's still talking about the robots. I think you have them hooked. :p

I have to say, what an amazing series of matches. Saturday was the only day in my college life that I've hesitated cheering Boiler Up! with the crowds, simply because I couldn't root against my old team. :ahh:

I know that 868 won some programming award, but I do not know which one. It was given out on Friday though.
When can I look forward to some videos?
-e.foote

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Innovation in Control is given out on Fridays; 868 won it.

Can anyone confirm 868 also winning Technology, or was it someone else?

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

I believe that team 393, the Full Metal Jackets, won the Delphi Driving Tomorrow's Technology Award for their innovative steering design.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

That makes sense, now. The winner was entered as 2393, which would be a simple mistype that wasn't caught. If it's 393, then that's much easier to understand.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Something I noticed: During one of the matches there was a confusion between starts. The bell sounded about 5 seconds before the autonomous started with the clock. A team(not sure which) had already scored like 4 moonrocks not realizing the clock problem. They ended up getting 40 points of penalties. Anyone else find this as bizarre? I know they shot before the official beginning, but isn't that a bit of a harsh penalty considering field problems?

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

234 was part of the alliance impacted by this.

The announcer counted down to go, and there was a delay before the clock started. The HP's started on the "go" instead of the clock.

The rule states that you go based on the clock for the start of the match and for the start of tele-operated.

We had a 10 point penalty for each moon rock that was touched.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Actually the one that I think you are talking about had a 30 pt penalty on one team 20 pt penalty on another team and 10 pt penalty on another (All of which were on the same alliance) And the other alliance had a 10 pt penalty. They said the reason was that they were supposed to be watching the clock for the start, not listening to the announcer.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

It was pointed out at one of the drivers meetings to not go on the sound of the announcer but to wait for the clock to start. Can't be more clear than that.

We lost a bunch of points in our first QF match because of the outpost specialist from another team did this. I think we ended up with a score of 8 :)

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Unfortunate rookie mistake as I remember.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

We were definitely one of the teams in that match and it threw our human player for a loop. However, he knew from then on to follow the clock on the field and not what the announcer said or what field noises were made.

Yes, it's unfortunate, however it was mentioned at the driver's meeting and everyone should have known about it, especially by the elimination rounds.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

To all those who attended and volunteered at the 2009 BMR I just wanted to give a big THANK YOU! I was working in queuing so I had an opportunity to interact with members from all teams, and I truly think the Boilermaker Regional has one of the best groups of students and volunteers possible at a regional.

A few personal highlights...

Outstanding volunteer award--could not have gone to a more deserving candidate. Brant is a major asset both to the regional and to Purdue FIRST Programs.

Teams 45, 135, 292, 554, 829, 1646, 1747, and 2783 -- you guys were some of the funnest drive teams to talk to at the event. Your exuberance definitely made my queuing time 1000% more fun, thanks for talking to me :-)

Queuing Team -- What an AWESOME job guys! I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with you. You guys did your job with a cheerful attitude and we definitely managed to get the event running a lot smoother, even after the power outage on Saturday. Hands down some of the best people I've ever worked with.

Purdue FIRST Programs and WBI -- Thanks to all the PFP and WBI members past and present who came to this year's competition... it was great meeting many of you at the 10 years of WBI dinner, and to echo what Dognaux said... Purdue FIRST Programs has impacted more than 20,000 students throughout its existence! That's awesome! I am so proud to be a part of the organization.

and finally, Team 2783 and all of the other rookie teams! -- Being a rookie is not easy, and all of you pulled it off with grace and style. 2783 you were some of the nicest people to work with, I can't wait to see what you do in Atlanta. Take it by storm!

THANKS to everyone who came, I can't wait for next year!

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Yeah, I suppose. But then I wonder, why have the announcer count down?

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Why have an announcer at all?


To bring in the spectators. The naming of all the teams before the matches, the 3-2-1-GO, the play-by-play, all that is to create an exciting atmosphere that may be enjoyed by FIRST novices and veterans alike.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

Emcee's are there to introduce the team numbers on each alliance and generally hype up the event. Also, they alert the drivers and audience that the match is about to begin. If the matches just began on their own, well, I'd think we'd have even more penalties happening.

Game announcers are there for play-by-play purposes, also hyping up the event. Matches would be much more boring to the outside spectators if there was no play-by-play taking place.

I would hope no one would take either of these volunteer positions lightly, they're some of the most difficult and exhausting ones at a competition.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

No, I mean nothing against any of the volunteers. No volunteers=no regional. I understand all of their importance. But couldn't we have a recorded countdown instead of the current sound to ensure that the beginning lines up? Not really complaining, just seems like something that could be avoided.

Re: 2009 Boilermaker Regional
 

I just want to congratulate the winning alliance of 1024, 868, and 292. Thank you for the great competition and some really exciting matches!

Also great job to the TechnoKats on winning Chairman's. You deserve it! And thank you for once again asking us to join you on your alliance. Thank you to 461 for joining us as well. We loved working with all of you from 45 and 461.

Thank you to the planning committee, the volunteers, the refs, and the judges for making it a great regional, despite the power issue on Friday. :)