Re: District/Regional Format
 

Even at the end of the 2009 season, the regional director for NJ told us to be ready to hear the final word about hosting a district competition. The others, from what I recall, were team 25, 75/1403, and I think there was one more other than us. This was not put into place for 2010 because of contracts and arena agreements that had to be met. There was also no finalized cost/benefit ratio determined for having teams host the events at their high schools . I'm hoping this has changed, I will get in touch with the regional director and find out what his plans for 2011 are.

11 and 25 were ideal for hosting events as both teams have been doing so for a decade now.

Re: District/Regional Format
 

Mathematically, the minimum size area to implement a district like system would be just under 60 teams. With 60 teams, you would have a set-up for doing 3 x 40 team tournaments just like an FiM district. This would give each team 2 district opportunities. The next point would be with 80 teams for a 4 district set-up, and then 100 teams for a 5 district setting. These numbers are relative to the 480 slots required by a 40 team 12 match schedule. the other option would be slightly larger events with fewer matches. A similar time table could accomodate 44 teams playing 11 matches or 48 teams getting 10 matches.

I think areas like Isreal could/would benefit from a system like this. Currently they are at 51 teams. With 54 teams (3 new ones), they could do 3 x 36 team districts and then invite the whole country to the Isreal Championship (a 54 team event). While getting to 140 teams with 7 districts and a championship sounds quite daunting, Having a more local 50-60 teams competing weeks 1-3 at Districts of 35-40 teams and then having Regional Champioships sounds more practical to me. As the areas grow adding on a district is very reasonable, and then once the championship is full, you begin to cut numbers.

Re: District/Regional Format
 

Adam, I was using you guys as an example. I couldn't remember the other numbers on the central coast.

I agree that a central coast event would at this time be inappropriate. Where are Bakersfield and Fresno, which I suggested as an alternative that may be a bit closer than L.A. or SVR? Central Valley, which is home to several teams that are currently in a similar boat. It's also a bit closer to the desert teams, giving them another option.

Re: District/Regional Format
 

Okay, so, I'm going to preface this by saying that I haven't read all of this thread, only the first page or so. I might be agreeing with someone, or arguing a point that's already been settled. In the case of the later, I apologize.

Anyways,

I think that anyone can attest to the fact that what really drew them to FIRST was the grandeur of it all. If kids want to compete in a high school gym, then they have all the opportunity in the world to do so.

The reason that I (and everyone I know) was so enthralled by FIRST is that I was competing in the San Diego Sports Arena, not some high school gym. That's the reason I kept doing it, to some degree. FIRST gives you a feeling that you aren't just in some ordinary high-school level organization; you're in something real.

Sure, it's cheaper and you can get more teams through, but I feel like the quality of the experience is cheapened by dropping from regional to district events. Because it doesn't have the extraordinary shock-and-awe factor, I feel like the retention rate isn't going to be very high. I expect a huge influx of teams at first, due to the low cost, but then a steep drop-off as people stop caring as much.

Also, all of this seems to be centering on "let's get as many teams as possible to the Championship". Is that really was FIRST is about? Going to Atlanta (or St. Louis)? I feel like FIRST is getting way too focused on winning, which goes against the whole spirit of the thing.

Anyways, that was more rambling than I intended.

What I really want to say is they we're fixing things that aren't broken. If you were to go up to teams and ask if they would like to change anything about their competitions, I'm willing to say that most everyone loves the system as it is (I mean, maybe more songs on that default FIRST playlist, but, hey, nothing's perfect, right?)

So, there's my two cents.

Re: District/Regional Format
 

Well if you have an enthusiasm for science and technology it shouldn't matter that the arena is of lower quality than an actual stadium. We come here to celebrate FIRST, not the grandeur of the stadium.

Getting more teams to Championship is not focused on winning at all? How did you come to such a conclusion? It is getting more kids to experience what the Championship is.

Sorry if I offend you but taht is just my out take on your 2 cents.

Re: District/Regional Format
 

I'm not really sure what you mean by this. The Michigan District system was designed to send just as many automatic qualifiers to Championships as the 3 regionals it replaced (Great Lakes, West Michigan, Detroit).

Re: District/Regional Format
 

I really want everyone to stop with the "All about winning" stuff. Actually it is quite the opposite. At a normal FIRST Regional, only the winners advance. In other words, the RCA, The Rookie Allstar, and the 3 teams that win. IN A NORMAL EVENT, ONLY THE WINNERS GET RECOGNIZED. Remember there is more than just a I in FIRST. R (recognition) is a big component as well. In the FiM system, being really good gets recognized. If you are a repeat finalist, if you win some smaller awards, if you play well and are picked for elims, you get seeding points to compete in a true Championship.

You are correct that the District events are not as glamorous as a Regional, but the scale of difference is much much much smaller than you preceive. Only 50% are in high school gyms, and these are big high schools. The other 50% are at University field houses and stadiums where they were before the District system got started.

As far as retention goes, Michigan had one of the highest retention rates in one of the worst economies. The reason is the affordability and the chance to get to play two events and really see the improvement that comes from 24+ matches.

Re: District/Regional Format
 

Obviously there is talk of the expansion of the District format to other states/regions. Does anyone know what new regionals there will be for the other states/countries? I heard someone connected with FIRST say that there is to be a new regional in Texas (where in the state, I don't know).

Re: District/Regional Format
 

But at the same time, less "winners" move on. Don't get me wrong, I think I probably prefer the Michigan system, but Michigan isn't "doing more to recognize almost winners", they just decreased the "win count" for their state so 6 almost winners can advance too.