Breaking News!
 

Team 47 - Chief Delphi from Pontiac Central High School and Team 65 - Huskie Brigade from Pontiac Northern High School have merged forces.

The School District of the City of Pontiac has downsized the School District closing Pontiac Central High School and re-naming Pontiac Northern to Pontiac High School. This action was a result of declining enrollment and financial concerns.

This new and powerful team garners the best from both teams into the new Team 51 "Wings of Fire". This merger was approved by FIRST and as a result both teams will carry forward their great histories of Hall of Fame and National Champions.

ChiefDelphi.com will remain unchanged in all respects of service to the community of FIRST thanks to the support of Innovation First, International.

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Congrats to all. I believe this was the best outcome you could of expected.

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I smell a Rookie All-Star.

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According to page 4 of the 2010 FRC Team Separations/Combines Rules they cannot apply for rookie awards or rookie grants. Otherwise I would most certainly agree.

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I believe that many of us knew this was coming, but I was really surprised by the new number and name!

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Welcome "Wings of Fire!" Congratulations on a great collaboration and great solution for your difficult situation. So we have another triple crown winner in FIRST: Wings of Fire has a Championship Win, Championship Chairman's, and Championship WFA. That's a pretty impressive start. :ahh:


_

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Outstanding!!!!
What a new power house 51 will be, the best of Pontiac is on it's way ... look out FRC ... Wings of Fire ... very fitting name for Pontiac.

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Will 51 be at kettering or will that be 47's last showing?

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Wow, sorry to hear about the downsizing!!! But good to know that two great teams will be joining forces. Good luck! :)

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Shoulda went with team # 46, so many prophecies would come true :D


great news

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Congratulations now team 51!!!!

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Congratulations on saving both programs. I have to admit, though, that my first thought was "Team Area 51: We Still Believe." Good luck to the new team!

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Congrats to teams 47, 65, and now 51. Your teams have been cornerstones of the FIRST community for many years, providing inspirational mentoring to all teams who come in contact with your teams over the years.

I remember coming into FIRST in 1998, and meeting Ken Patton, Joe Johnson, Mike Martus, and Mike Aubry during that initial year for me. Each one of these guys made a huge impact on what kind of mentor I became.

I greatly appreciate these two teams, and the example they set for the rest of FIRST. It will be very difficult for both ChiefDelphi and the Huskie Brigade to give up their team number (and identity) and embrace their new combined team. Although it will be tough, these two teams will pull this move off with great success, I am sure.

Here's to Wings of Fire!

Andy Baker

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Congratulations on the new team name, number, and identity. Collaboration to the extreme o.0

You guys made the best of a bad situation, and I'm looking forward to being decimated under the might of your new robot in 2010. :D

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I have to admit, given the legacy that these two teams had behind them... I'm half surprised they didn't attempt to pull the 2 teams 1 school trick, following in the footsteps of 494/70, and others that I can't recall at the moment.

In any case, I look forward to seeing either 47's final appearance, or 51's first appearance tomorrow at KK.

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Watch this beastly combo pull off another Championship win. Just watch. :cool:

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on the winds of change
"Wings Of Fire" rises - bearing
legends' bright future

Jane

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Why do I have chills?

Congrats Teams 47 and 65 I can't wait to compete with and against 51.

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Chills are from the deafening roar of combining two of the most spirited teams in FIRST. They will be so loud you can already hear them.

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Now I can see myself saying in 5-10 years "I remember when Chief Delphi was actually a team and not just a website" XD

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Wow, wow, wow... That's a of tradition and history being rolled into one new team. Good luck!

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Astute readers will notice that Ken Patton and Josh Murphy have had 51 listed as their team number on Chief Delphi for some time now :)

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Does that mean that the street value of 47/65 merchandise just went through the roof? Yahoo! I'm rich! Beat THAT investment, Wall Street!

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Congrats on the best outcome of your situations.
When I read 51, I was thinking "AREA 51.":yikes:

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Just curious - how did you get the Team number 51? Besides it being the numerical average of 47 and 65, there must have been a Team 51 at some point that folded. Anyone know the history? And, do "new teams" regularly take over older numbers? I don't recall it happening before.

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Good luck to 51, I'm looking forward to seeing what these two great teams will do as a combined force.

Old numbers that haven't been used for several years can be reassigned to teams based on several criteria here

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This Document linked to from Bill's Blog illustrates the process.

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lmao... oh where's Travis when you need him?

Definitely lovin' the new team name. Sounds uplifting.

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The name is new though! Wings of Fire...

hey wait a second... Wings of Fire, sounds like a strange fusion of HoT and the ThunderChickens...

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This is a wonderfully positive solution for Pontiac High! All the best to the members of the new team as they work together to chart a new path to success!

I'll be waiting to see what new image you come up with! I don't think there was any team that coordinated better with Rolling Thunder (1511) than the Huskie Brigade!

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Orange camo.

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Oh come on!! Thats not fair! now I'm REALLY scared of team 51!! haha congratulations and best of luck to ya!

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Congrats, and welcome. I'm looking forward to 51 creating a new rich tradition and history of its own, while it maintains the best of what 47 and 65 have always stood for.

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*fishes around for improvised latin quote*

Advola Caelum rursus, O quinquaginta, in tuis avis ignis
(Fly again to the sky, 51, on you wings of fire)

Excellent work guys and see you at comps!

Beat me to it.

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According to Mark McLeod's "Every FRC team ever" spreadsheet, 51 has never competed. It might have been assigned to a team in the Great Renumbering that never competed after the number was assigned. As for a "rookie" team getting an "old number" it has happened before. Wasn't 4 a new team created in 2006 from a group of veteran mentors and students? I don't remember the details, but it is not unprecedented for a new team to get a non-rookie number if there is a good reason for it.

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Yes and no. A two-school team split by schools. Also see 64's split.

(Notes 51 for Fantasy FIRST purposes...)

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Team 4 was a split from Team 22. Teams 39 and 1013 were split from Team 64. It's not uncommon for old numbers to be assigned to new teams that result from a split or merger (as in this case) of a veteran team.

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Congratulations Wings of Fire! Both 47 and 65 have done wonderful things with their programs, and I, like the rest of the FIRST community, am very eager to see what comes out of this merge.

(well, for one, I'm rather jealous of 51's alliance partners :P That's a 4-team superalliance right there. Now all you have to do is capture Andy Baker, and you'd probably be able to win a district on your own :P )

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I have had the privilege to see both teams in action both on and off the field. Both of the teams are inspirations that all teams should look up to. Now instead of 2 teams to watch I am sure that we will have to look much higher as their combined assets, abilities, standards and attitudes will make them so much better. I for one am glad that FIRST did not lose out in this unfortunate closing of schools. Team 51 we will be watching. :eek:

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Best of luck the up coming season but doubt you will need luck that much to be great.


Can we see the logo or has it not been produced yet?

And my friend is making it and won't share it with me...

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I hope to see a presentation at the Championship conferences at some point down the road that discusses how these two teams have been able to merge their team philosophies, leadership styles, and histories to forge this new team. It is very exciting and I, for one, would love to learn from it. What they are doing is making a rich and extraordinary contribution to our FIRST culture. They are deepening its history and helping to develop a blueprint to follow for teams that face difficult and daunting circumstances.

Their team name says it all.

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Congratulations and good luck. I can assume that Kettering Kick off will be you first event together and I hope you do well.

51? Wings of fire? … Sounds like a P-51 Mustang fighter plane.

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So...who gets to coach? :ahh:

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Congrats to both teams. Sounds like a great partnership between the 2 schools. Michigan will have a new force arising for 2010.

I would love to see this as well. The combined histories of these 2 teams is very impressive.

Team 1745 might have a say about that...:)

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I'm sure the sum of 47 + 65 should be much more than 51, so maybe there's a change in units of measurement units as well? :D

Or maybe its Area 51 robotics????

Edit: Now that I think about it, you absolutely have to label your pit as "area 51" .

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51 is how many wins they are going to get in the michigan system. Maybe more. New school nickname is phoenix,nice tie in.

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I wondered if it had something to do with a phoenix.

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On one of the rare days I check in here, this is exciting news.

Wings of Fire: the name makes me think of 5 years ago, when Flyers, Fire, and a bit of Fusion came together to win at what was GLR.

Thus, by this logic, 51 should be an awesome team. :D

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WOoF!! Watch Out FIRST !!

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that's gotta be a big team, 50+ people?

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I'm scared.

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That's very exciting news! Welcome to team 51, it will be exciting to play with you.

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Well, 51 was at Kettering Kickoff today, and it was AWESOME! Not only was it a huge team, but they were very successful. I don't remember their ranking, but I believe that it was very high, and they went on to the finals (I think my memory has gone with my voice today, but I believe that their alliance came in second. Correct me if I'm wrong). The solid purple block in the stands looked unified and friendly, and I wish I had gotten the opportunity to get to talk to a few of the team members.

Congrats, Wings of Fire!

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Congrats! Good to see it worked out and both teams will technically still be around. :)

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PURPLE???!!!

*faint*

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I THINK they were 8th seed, but they were number 1 on our list of teams to pick. They were a powerhouse. 862, 51, and 494 did come in 2nd overall, going down to the first seed alliance.

Purple.... it was like a mass of purple.... all you could see was purple. :) I liked it!

(Ashley, our alliance selection person, didn't come through to well on the mic, but she said she wanted to pick 2 teams in the first round of the draft. SO... we pick 51.)

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Team 51 will be the first team to push Truck Town.

-Nick

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Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and kind words.

It is going to be an exciting year for us on Team 51. When we look at the experiences and strengths of the former 47ers and 65ers who are on board, it looks pretty good. Now we are going to do everything we can to realize our potential. I am sure we will learn a lot about working together.

I would like to say thank you to the 47ers and 65ers who helped make this happen, and especially to our new team leader, Mike Martus.

I would like to extend my deepest, most sincere thanks to the GDC, for bringing alliances to us in 1999.

Ken

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Congratulations new team 51.
Certainly a situation where you've made some lemonade from lemons!

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Congratulations and Best of Luck on a great solution to the challenge.

I love the name, cool to have a new number. Each team brings history and legacy but you will all forge a new identity as well.

Best of Luck to all.

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"A force to be reckoned with"... with the firepower of both of these teams combined, I shutter to think about the possibilities ahead for Team 51. I look forward to seeing them on Einstein this year!

Good luck, guys!

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A new tradition begins.... but the old tradition never fades away.
I can already see an alliance between 67 and 51

"The Hot Wings of Fire"

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I can already see an alliance between 67 and 51 and 217

"The Hot Chicken Wings of Fire"

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Yea that'll happen if any of them puts a box on wheels on the field. :D :D

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Obviously I'd like to extend a belated congratulations to all the folks up in Pontiac High School and on team 51, and former teams 47 and 65 for making this work.

But I do have an interesting question. What is team 51s status in regards to the Chairman's Award? Obviously 47 is a member of the Hall of Fame (and in the same fashion, what is the ongoing status of 47's HoF display?), but 65 are not. 65 has a tremendous history in that regard, as well, though, with regional Chairman's in 2003 and 2005, and as one of the National finalists in 2001. It would seem somewhat unfair to deny those who are continuing over from 65 a chance at winning a Chairman's Award.

In my estimation, I'd assume that 51 will have it's "own" Chairman's history, and would be allowed to submit for the award, though wouldn't be allowed to rest their laurels upon the work of either 47 or 65. That's just my guess, though.

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Anyone needs hot, just let me know. I have all manner of dried, toasted, pickled and fresh hot peppers all over the kitchen. As they say, "Mo hotta, Mo bettah".

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The announcement says that team 51 is preserving the Hall of Fame status of Team 47, and the team combination document states that Championship eligibility is maintained.

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From the guidelines as previously cited...

Case 4: Two teams combine to form one (1) new team: Teams do
not keep either original number

Team History
both team histories are combined
Retains the right to refer to both team histories,
including event, awards and grant information of each.
New team record contains statement that it is a
“Combine” comprising teams “ABC” and “XYZ”

Awards/Grants
Team cannot apply as rookie for any rookie awards or
grants. May apply for awards and grants as appropriate.

CMP Eligibility*
Team retains CMP eligibility*, which is based
on which original team last attended.

This is an interesting case.... since CMP eligibility is based on this combined team's status as HOF. I would think that the new team would NOT be eligible for Chairman's award...Unless they wanted to give up the HOF status and re-earn it.

I don't see this to be too much different than any other HOF team.
Students on HOF teams (at least those from HOF teams that won prior to 3 years ago, would all be new and their responsibility is to help other teams and to spread the word of FIRST without regard to any new Chairman's awards.
This is both the legacy and the responsibility of HOF teams...Huskie Brigade team members now just inherited this status....

They certainly could have won it for themselves eventually, they were a fine team in their own right... but now they pass on to HOF status and the responsibilities of that position by virtue of combined team status.

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We retained the combined history of both teams. The HoF status is retained. Also, don't forget that 65 was World Champions in 2003, as well as National semi-finalists in 1997 and 1998, not to mention Ken Patton's WFA in 1999.

Aside from the history, I'm a VERY excited to be part of this team. Going into this year, Ken and I have talked extensively about the two teams, and really there could not be a better fit than 47 + 65. This new team has some incredible potential. I can't wait!

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For you history buffs out there, BuzzRobotics, Team 175, was originally competing as Team 51 in 1996, and our team name was the Falconauts. However, by 1998, our sponsor wanted all United Technology-sponsored teams to have consecutive numbers, so we were changed to 175, and re-named ourselves BuzzRobotics. Congrats to ChiefDelphi and the Husky Brigade on finding a way to continue competing. You both have been an awesome inspiration to us over the years, and we expect that to continue with Team 51 You can go to our website, buzzrobotics.com, and view pictures of our past robots on the BuzzBots link. The 1997 version clearly shows Team #51.:) :)

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I was told by FIRST that the number was never used. The team never picked up a kit and never competed? Hmmmmmmm

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So, you're telling me the combined forces of the Huskie Brigade and Chief Delphi are now playing under a banner that originally represented a team who has won at least one regional/field 9 out of the last 10 years?! (and the one year they didn't, they won Chairman's at nationals!) :eek:

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That would have been before teams kept their number year to year. Through 1997, numbers were assigned to teams each year in order alphabetically by their "team name", which started with their primary sponsor.

It wasn't just your sponsor. The year FIRST assigned "permanent" team numbers, they still used the method of ordering teams by their sponsor name. All teams sponsored by the same company that year ended up with neighboring team numbers.

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You're both wrong. There WAS a team #51, in 1997. However, 1997 was a temporary year--all numbers issued that year were changed the next year. Numbers were not issued before 1997, and the numbers were all changed the next year, by sponsor name, A-Z.

So, the team we now know as team 175 competed as team 51 in 1997, but due to the en masse renumbering the next year, they got 175, and there hasn't been a team 51 since. Until, of course, the 2010 season.

Data on team 51 from Mark McLeod's spreadsheet, using the 1997 temp numbers sheet.

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Well, now that my question I was going to ask was answered in the most round-about way as to who 51 WAS; congrats to the new 51 & good luck in '10! :)

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It would appear that the list of Chairman's awards winners has disappeared from the internet. IIRC, didn't a team #7 (unrelated to the current #7) win the Chairman's award in 1993? How does that work if FIRST wasn't assigning numbers? Was #7 a moniker applied later on along the line?

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That team #7 (not to be confused with today's 007) was a strange aberration.

It competed long before any numbers, much less permanent numbers, were used, so the team never played under the number 7. They were only around a couple of years (1993 & 1994). AT&T was the sponsor, but AT&T teamed with different high schools each of those two years.

The number 7 was apparently tacked on four years after they last played when FIRST needed a number to refer to them as Chairman's winners in the modern age of permanent team numbers. FIRST never entered them in their team database as number 7 though, and our current team #7 was already using the number 7! I think someone at FIRST just missed the fact that the number was already in use...

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Yup, Eric is right.

For the record, in 1997 our former Huskie Brigade #65 was team 46, and the former Chief Delphi #47 was team 32.

Maybe we should put a couple of smiley faces on the bot this season just to be honoring those that went before us :)

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It's rather strange to necro a thread this old, especially when it's named "Breaking News!", but I came across this today. It seems that the CD website doesn't fully realize that team 47 no longer exists. (If it's news to you that there ever was a team 47 named Chief Delphi, go back to post 1, and maybe do some searches. Also check out post #20 in this thread.)

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It is strange to think that the team that has had the most impact (arguably) on the FRC community is no longer competing.

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47 was merged into 51.

51 is still competing.

In a way, the team does still exist. Their wins, awards, etc. were transferred over to Team 51, as were some mentors and resources IIRC (although there were quite a bit of complications).

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I've always been amused that although Team 51 is a Hall of Fame team because of 47's history, you won't find the Chairman's Award in their team history. FIRST doesn't show any of 47's or 65's award history on Team 51, but recognizes their Hall of Fame status. It's all semantics, of course, but still amusing.

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That's just how FIRST does team mergers. We did the same thing in 2006 where Team 487 and some other team merged and took on a new number (423). Both teams' histories and awards lists can be found on the official FIRST website, and Team 423's history starts with 2006. The team's rookie year is still considered 2000, because that's when Team 487 was founded.

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And how did IBdrummer get a team number (5492) that didn't even exist in 2009???? ;)

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He wasn't on that team in 2009. 5492 was a rookie team last year.

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And to add to that, CD posts always show the most current profile for the user in question. So if someone says "see sig" (as in, "see signature"), and someone finds that post 5 years later, the point being made could be completely lost. And there are probably a few team numbers between the original post and the next view...