Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

I don't see why MARC is obligated to serve the rejected teams of IRI when it's a whole month earlier. They have an event to run and they need to make sure everything is set by the time IRI has made their decisions. You snooze you lose plain and simple.

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

I agree with you. My only obligation is to put on a very well planned out event and make the event as fun as possible for those who attend. I believe the crew that we put together does a very good job of accomplishing this. Besides if you all need to know, I scheduled it this way to give teams as much time as possible to prepare for MARC. This time is used for teams to schedule payment (if you go through the school system, then you need lead time) and prepare changes or repairs to their robot.

IRI is an awesome event, but I think MARC is also an awesome event in its own right. As the event planner, I would not be doing MARC or its participants any justice if I wait each year to see want IRI is doing or teams invited before I make considerations for MARC. I understand that IRI has teams from all over the land that are specially invited to compete. This invite is based on this years performance and their past commitment to IRI and cost's a whopping $650 to compete. I started MARC, because there were very few events that teams in our area could afford (cost/travel expenses). I wanted a low-cost event that gave teams that are financially struggling an opportunity to get more time for next year. That was my goal and I am sticking to it. It just so happens that MARC is very fortunate to have some extremely well organized teams that come and help run the event and help other teams out. This is another reason why Michigan FIRST is becoming really strong.

We at MARC yearly put on a very competitive event and if your team wants to have fun and compete in an excellent field of teams then apply. I believe we all know that your team had to be very special to get into IRI. If you apply to IRI on a "hopefully we make it" mentality, then you should probably apply to something else also (Just in case you don't get in). Something I always tell my team, with high risk comes high rewards but also a higher failure rate. It is a high risk to get into IRI if you are not one of those special teams, therfore it is highly likely that a good team during the season is likely not going to be invited.

I hear a lot of people talking how MARC is becoming a mini-IRI. I think this is a huge compliment for all the teams that consistantly come to MARC. If you look at that list, a lot of them (my team included) would not be invited to IRI. I believe MARC is a very competitive event without the excessive cost or hoopla of all teams that won trophies during the season.

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

I guess I don't view it as helping the teams that didn't plan ahead or taking IRI's rejects, but having more out of state and teams that typically wouldn't apply to MARC so more teams can experience MARC and take advantage of another chance to compete at a low cost. If you want more out of state teams to apply, I would consider doing this.

One thing I like about MARC is the ability to play with Michigan teams that we can't play with anymore due to the district system. So I don't mind having 41/48 of the teams being from Michigan. But, I can certainly see how a Michigan team would like more non-Michigan teams after a potential 3 events already with some teams. I was just offering a possible solution to help fulfill this want for more out of state teams.

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

Is there a detailed agenda with starting and ending times for Friday and Saturday?
Will there be a pig roast again this year, and if so, what are the details for that event?

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

The agenda can be found on the FIRST in Michigan website here.
http://www.firstinmichigan.us/FRC_20.../marc_frc.html
I don't think there is a pig roast this year. I think they are planning a movie or something.

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

I already posted it in the thread where I started talking about the team social, but I will post it here to, since MARC stuff is spread out over several threads. The move we will be watching is Summer Wars due to general public interest and feedback from our team. I also didn't want to pick a movie that a large amount of people have seen.

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

Because of some scheduling conflicts, team 3147 (Mustang Horsepower) from Munster, Indiana has removed themself from M.A.R.C.. Hopefully next year you all will be able to compete.

I am glad to announce team 66 (Willow Run Flyers) from Ypsilanti, Michigan has accepted an invite to compete at this years M.A.R.C.. Welcome Flyers and I hope you enjoy the competition.

Re: M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST
 

Team 548 has removed itself from the participating teams at MARC. I have contacted all my wait-listed teams and none of them can come now. I have contacted Gail Alpert to see if she has any pre-rookie teams that would be able to come. If she can't find one, is there any team out there still interested in coming to MARC?