Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

You could technically do it if you want to-you just have to pay Shepard exorbitant amounts of money.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Only way we can afford two regionals is to do Boilermaker, not to mention that we have never missed one and one of our mentors is co-chair.

No way our school will let us do back-to-back regionals and 8 hour drives adds an extra day out of school and a Sunday drive.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

One year our crate showed up at Philly late Wednesday night after the loading dock folks had gone home. The phone calls going on to track that crate down while I also was in transit were a little nerve wracking.

Haven't scheduled back-to-back Regionals since, and I've had a much more peaceful time of it.
I'd do it if I kept control over the robot.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Could I get some feedback or PM's from people "selling" the Buckeye regional please? I've always wanted to attend. Thank you :)

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Kidnappers away! I showed the schedule to our coach today and told him that the Florida Regional was the same week as FCATs (search if you care, there was a thread on it recently) and he was not happy.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Sadly, no it is not just a typo. There were issues finding a suitable venue on that weekend. As recently as two weeks ago I thought Davis would be cancelled for lack of a place to play, then I went to a Regional Committee meeting:) and learned differntly

I was told something about schools holding back due to Basketball playoffs. Of course they could have guaranteed that playoff spot by booking FIRST for the weekend, but that would have caused other problems...

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

The Friday- Sunday format causes conveniences to a lot of teams, but be warned, coming back from a regional Sunday night is like suicide if you plan on going to school on Monday. Teams will be tired, there's no question about it. We attended NYC in 07 (Fri-Sun event) and all our students were basically dead tired. I'll most likely be leaving the event early so I don't crash as soon as I get home all tired and worn out (unless I'm playing well into Saturday hehe)

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

There is a chance that the new Utah Regional will be a "mini regional" two day event. Anyone out there think a new regional will be able to handle the challenge of getting all 20-30 bots inspected Friday morning in time for afternoon qualifying rounds? It's not like Michigan districts that have a seasoned body of inspectors available to make things happen smoothly;) Just wondering...;)

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Should have taken it back to Cal Expo, that was a fun venue.

This is definitely a difficult year for scheduling regionals and making it to more than one regional.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

I'm with you on that one. Having a new regional as a two day event may spell disaster. Hawaii this past year with the new control system definitely needed that first practice day.
We spent more time helping teams, along with 368, getting teams going and compliance with inspection than worrying about our own team. If Gunn 192, didnt decide to come last minute, teams wouldn't have made it by the real matches on Friday. They helped a lot also.

Personally, I hope we never have to do 2 day events. For all the hard work and expenses to participate, more practice is more fun and better for our robots during the real deal part.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

yup,

I believe they dropped the ball for the Midwest teams. The schedule is NOT user friendly for those wanting to do 2 events while keeping costs down; not traveling 8 hours; and not doing back to backs. Doing back to back competitions is not fair to the students. Too much school missed in a short period of time. (not to mention the reaction the schools would have)

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Honestly, I agree that this year's dates aren't user friendly...

But, Midwest and East Coast teams complaining about second regionals being farther away is frustrating. Our closest second regional options; Davis (8 hrs), Salt Lake (13 hrs), Denver (19.5 hrs) and Hawaii (flying). Travel days and extra costs are a fact of life for most teams, welcome to reality. ::ouch::

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

For those complaining about the schedule, I'm sure FIRST knows. I doubt your regional directors are happy about it either, but venues can only be scheduled certain days, and that's what drives these dates.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Don't forget that they have also locked us out of Michigan again.

Sorry but I'm very unhappy.

Re: 2010 Regional Dates
 

Yes, we and every non-Washington team are locked out of Seattle as well due to an influx of new teams (71 last I heard). I wish the FIRST Wa people the best up there and look forward to returning when things settle down. They are gracious hosts and we enjoy playing with and against them.

I see this schedule as an opportunity to go somewhere we normally wouldn't. My team, while apprehensive about the cost, is excited about the occasion.