Re: Championship Announcers
 

Mark Leon is awesome. It's because of him that the IRI has broadcast over NASA TV for the past two years. In 2007, we had all of our equipment set up just to broadcast to the pits and the big screen, and he came over to tell us he could call a guy and get a satellite truck to come in to broadcast the event. He's got some good stories too, like when he soldered a connection in the arctic with a paper clip. :)

Re: Championship Announcers
 

I love Sir Charles, it was like a dream come true when he was at Archimedes at the same time with Mark Leon. His first year in 2004 was awesome, it was back when I was a student. I got to talk to him after the event this year and he is a really nice guy and of course energetic. I hope to see him at future events. I think all the MCs that came to Archimedes were awesome, Troy, Mark, Sir Charles. Both announcers were awesome (Sir Charles and the other guy whose name escapes me) and the assistant was very insightful (Tyler or something.) I have gone to regionals with Mark, Blair and Michelle, all top notch MCs, my favorite is Mark, but Blair is close behind.

I think overall the MCs and Announcers are great and I love the energy they bring to the events, truly gives another aspect to the competition and pumps me up each and every time.

Nate

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Blair is my favorite announcer but I love Mark too.

If you are ever feeling down or tired at a FIRST event, spend two minutes with Mark. His energy will get you going again.

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Does anyone know who the announcer is on Einstein?

Re: Championship Announcers
 

as for announcers i personally think andy grady is the best.

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Blair is also a professional actor and director.
Blair is such a pro. I am grateful to both Blair AND the wonderful Andy Grady for coming from NH all the way to Annapolis to help us out this year. I am still impressed Andy was able to work the words "lobster and cranial iv" seamlessly into one of the play-by-plays in Boston in 2008!

In past years, Jeff Seaton has been a great MC at the Chesapeake.
And before Greg felt like he had to go and start a rookie team he was one of my favorite announcers... ;)

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Dave is seriously one of the most awesome people in FIRST. I don't know if there is anyone with a more comprehensive set of knowledge about the teams, though I'm waiting for him to top his "Approaching Storm" extended metaphor from Great Lakes 2008. That was one of the most epic things I've ever been unfortunate enough not to have recorded (and fortunate enough to have seen.)

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Dan Green is definitely our favorite announcer.
Mark and Blair are the best at MC.
Dave V. really knows his stuff and is the best at doing Einstein.

Sometimes you get weirdos doing the announcing. Lets just say we had one at one of the regionals we attended.

For example, "I think the balls were grabbed prematurely.......oopps, I meant Moon Rocks." What the heck is that?:confused:

Re: Championship Announcers
 

When it comes to game announcers, I have only two words.

ANDY!

GRADY!

He is the man and it was awesome having him announce my team on Einstein!

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Blair has actually announced in the past as well. He makes a great announcer as well as MC.

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Blair actually does the play by play on Einstein. He is the best, and does a great job calling the match.

Dave was incredible this year too. During the finals intro, his history lesson on the teams was absolutely stunning. All I remember is sitting there watching it in absolute awe, trying to figure out how anyone can remember THAT much about that stuff. It was quite possibly the best intro I have ever seen an MC do.

Atlanta was a great time, thank you for the kind words. Have a great summer!

Re: Championship Announcers
 

This year I don't believe it was that hard for Dave, because 4 out of 6 teams were from michigan (67,68,214,247), and all 4 michigan team were well known.

Who can't follow what Wildstang does? I mean I hear that there playing an event, I have to tune in!

971, was just as Dave said, the wildcard from Cali. 217, 68, 247 needed to have scouted well to know about that great team.

Re: Championship Announcers
 

a) Sir Charles will be quoted by our team forever! We loved him!

b) Tyler Olds is the guy who was annoucing on Archimedes during Elims. He's a good friend of our team and mentors 2826 (wave robotics? not sure on the name).

Re: Championship Announcers
 

Dave Verbrugge is, without a doubt, one of my favorite people in FIRST. When I was announcing at the Cass district event, he took time from his team to help work field reset because they were short on volunteers. In between matches he was more than willing to provide encouragement and critiques to help me through the day; it was fantastic having him behind me for my first "official" event. I look forward to working with him in the future :)

Helpful mentor-ness aside, anyone who was witness to his "Perfect Storm" speech last year at GLR realizes the true genius and intensity to be found in Dave. It gives me chills even thinking about it... for those of you who weren't there, imagine something like the speech he gave in the Einstein finals (chronicling the drama and history of the 6 teams there), but extended across to an entire regional of 63 teams and presented at the opening ceremonies. He did it without background music, without a script, nothing except a microphone and a stadium full of robotics fans on the edges of their seats.