Re: Spirit Items at Competitions
 

I've been to GTR and FLR quite a few times and GTR doesn't come close to FLR in spirit. It's too spread out and no one outside of drive team members are supposed to be on the floor where FLR has a very large floor area where I have seen teams dancing the Cotten Eyed Joe (without Cotten Eyed Joe playing). Thunderchickens playing Duck Duck Goose. Hacky Sack. Cheerleaders doing their thing. Kids playing ball. It's a pretty large space to play with and the kids are pretty free to do what they want so long as nothing dangerous is going on.

Re: Spirit Items at Competitions
 

I would highly doubt that this would be allowed. Teams have been asked to put away much quieter noisemakers in the past.

Considering that Breakaway is based on soccer and with the World Cup coming up this summer in South Africa, I was sort of hoping to see some teams bring in some vuvuzelas. Then again, after watching the Confederations Cup this summer it might not be the best idea.

I have to agree with Ed. GTR is a very quiet regional in general and especially quiet when compared to FLR.

Re: Spirit Items at Competitions
 

By nature, I have noticed that arena events are more quieter than fieldhouse events in spite of having more teams. teams are required to stay in the stands for one to cut down on congestion by the field, except for small areas like in Philadelphia (which is a pretty loud event) and Buckeye. The Florida regional has pretty intense spirit too though there is no floor access at all and the Florida teams do something that doesn't happen too much even at FLR where the teams engage one another by sharing cheers which helps to charge the environment.
I actually wonder how really spirited the Florida regional would be if the teams were allowed floor access or had a large area of space for teams to really get down. I bet it would easily rival FLR.

Re: Spirit Items at Competitions
 

The general guideline I tend to go by consists of two questions.
1) Will it blow the eardrum off the neiboring attendeeds?
2) Will it damage the venue?
If you answer yes to either of these, don't bring that spirit item.

Spirit has always been my favorite part of the actual competitions. I have even a tendency to get peeved when people yell at teams to sit down. I understand if, say, someone is unable to stand and see past the dancing students, it's a bit rude to gallavant in their face, but when the general public who wants to just sit and watch without getting engaged with the spirit of FIRST goes scrooge on our robotic butts and discouraging students from coopertition, showing love for their team and other teams alike, I don't take to it well.
You wouldn't believe how often I yelled at my mentors for not cheering, and now that I AM a mentor, I'll just have to yell at the students, :D Just kidding.