Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

When we started in 2001 and competed in LA, Team 60 (Kingman) stood out and set the bar pretty high on how to best build a robot and have it look great. Also Team 22 (Chatsworth - now Team 4?) did a lot to help us find our way.

In 2003, we had some issues with our Drill motor transmissions, and EJ from 254 was very helpful and showed us in like 10 minutes how to rebuild those transmissions (clutches) so they worked correctly. And while 254 gets lots of nods on these forums, it is rightly due to some amazing leadership from EJ, Cory, and many others that continues to this day. Yes they got in the Hall of Fame, but I still eagerly await the day their robot wins on Einstein.

Also back in that era, 192 (Gunn High), showed us what spirit was all about. I also need to give some props to 599 (RoboDox) - they too do an incredible amount to help teams at competitions and are just a great group to be around.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

45

...and a bunch of others...

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

Thank you to those who mentioned Team 60. I'm just new to FRC and have only been to the Arizona Regional, but here are the teams:

Team 39 (39th Aero Squadron) - Our alliance partner last year for Overdrive and we won AZ regional last year, along with Team 1165 (Team Paradise). Team 39 was happy to help out any teams that asked for help.

Team 69 (Hyper-Drive) - A team we met at AZ regional this year. I know them as the amazing team that works well with any other team. They were great partners during the qualification match, with a great robot.

Team 1726 (N.E.R.D.S.) - Of course, the creators of the amazing robot, Major Tom. Congrats to them, along with teams 39 and 1165, for winning the AZ regional this year. They have created an outstanding robot.

Team 2839 (Team Daedelus) - A rookie team, but I still find them amazing. They had such fatih in our team and I wish them success where ever they go. They never lose sight of the fact that FIRST is about teamwork.

- Joanna

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

My list is so long I can't give everyone the credit they deserve. However, any team that is actively working towards Chairman's is inspiring to me. They have a goal and are working towards that goal no matter how distant it may seem. They realize that FRC is not just about building robots. It is about inspiring youth, and doing whatever it takes to make a great experience for those students that they are working with today and those that may be touched by them in the future. They show me that it is possible to have a First team and that they can get students engaged and thinking and excited about science and technology. The one thing I have learned in the last fourteen years is that a happy student is one who will go places and do things. The size of the team, the greatness of their victories or the design of the robot means little in the scheme of things. Excited, happy, thinking students are the yardstick by which I measure teams.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

Prepare to add 2009: Team 45 "TechnoKats" to that list.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

Team 272 Lansdale Catholic, Lansdale PA and their mentor Frank Larkin.
Although they are not as well known on Delphi.
They were our first mentor, before mentoring was so popular. They run a successful, no-nonsense program that produces great machines, and enthusiastic kids on a shoestring budget, year after year.

There are many great teams that we work with and inspire us in the Philly area. (The list would be very large) But 272 was the first team to call us in our rookie year, just to check in and see if we needed help. They have never stopped doing that.

In our rookie year, 10 years ago, they picked us as a back-up alliance partner and it was an honor to play with them again this past weekend in Philly!

Go LC!!

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

Or maybe add 2009: Team 234 "Cyber Blue" to that list (3 RCA in past 3 years, 5 RCA total, CMP KPC&B Entrepreneurship in '06). I think one of the best story lines of the year is how those two IN FIRST teams have paired on the field for nearly 2 regional wins, and both will be major contenders for the highest award. Of course, I don't pick favs until all the RCA have been awarded, you never know what can happen.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

45 and 234 tell an extraordinary tale of combining strengths and off-setting weaknesses by working together on the field, off the field, and in helping build a strong structure in Indiana that can promote FIRST, aid others, and pull off incredible events. Separately and together, both teams shine and have a way of bringing out the best in others, helping them to shine as well - be it teams, organizations, sponsors, or individuals. They compete like crazy and have a lot of fun doing it along the way.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

I think it speaks volumes about what 45 and 234 have done, and what FIRST as a program has become, that the people who have noted their accomplishments this year are from Delaware and Texas.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

I'm inspired by the chillean team (can't remember their number, they compete in LA this year), because I know the difficulties that is compete far away from home...

And some other teams that I could knew a few more in two championships (2007 and 2008) like:

#33 Killer Bees
#341 Miss Daysy
#330 Beach Bots
#16 Bomb Squad
#56 Robbe Extreme
#1902 Exploding Bacon
#45 Technokats

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

Each and every team in FIRST has their own tale that inspires us all in many different ways. I think the greatest inspiration to all of us, well at least me, is all of our mentors, on our own teams and on other teams. Without them most of us would be lost. This is a thank you to all the mentors, thank you for continuing to inspire us each and everyday. :)

Cass

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

My list would be very very long.
But on today's list is a brand new entry - the rookie all star team from Chesapeake -2866.
The story just keeps going. Right now, every department in their school is jumping in to come up with the registration fee by tomorrow. You can read more about them in the Chesapeake thread.
They have had a crash course in FIRST and are so willing to learn from everyone. They have a huge fan club. Many thanks to all who have helped them along the way.

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

They actually have another RCA (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009) and 4 Championship awards (2001-Delphi "Driving Tomorrows Technology Award", 2006 - Entrepreneurship Award, 2007 - Quality Award, 2008 - Autodesk Inventor Award) Which is completely stellar!

Congrats Cyber Blue! You deserve it!

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

I think I'm most inspired by team 111, 67, and 254. Each year, they have great robots over and over again. Plus, they are part of the Hall of Fame; when I think of HOT, Wildstang, of Cheesy Poofs their National Chairman's videos always pop right into my head, and I think, "service." It seems like I'm always hearing about one of those teams doing something amazing. In addition to that, each of the teams seem to have a great since of spirit. Not only are they excellent, they are well-balanced. Of course there are teams that do well in the area of service and spreading FIRST's messages or in competition, but I've never seen three teams that is as well-rounded as Wildstang, HOT, and Cheesy Poofs.

-Jamie

Re: Teams I'm Inspired By
 

1625.

Such a short history, such a long list of accomplishments. Really a team to look up to for any veteran or rookie team.

Great season guys, keep it going. :)