Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1067823)

I don't see the need in CA yet--or, more to the point, the organization.

CA has 4 events, one of which could probably go to a double event if really needed, in 2 main areas: north and south. Or, more specifically, there are 2 in the north (SVR, Sacramento) and 2 in the south (L.A. and San Diego). There are no fewer than 3 separate "support groups" in the state of CA: WRRF, SCRRF, and Team San Diego (and I think there are another couple groups around somewhere). You'd want all 3 on the same page, or close to it.

And there's a big hole in the middle of the state (southern end of the Central Valley, desert--the central coast has teams but no regionals), and another in the northern end. CA has somewhere around 150-175 teams, and one or more urban areas without an event so far (Bakersfield and Fresno come to mind). CA is really sort of fragmented in terms of team concentration.

The Northeast may claim that they don't need it, but in reality, they seem to already have that capability (8 regionals in 6 weeks, plus about an equal number of offseasons over the following 6 months), so the switch there would be relatively painless aside from volunteer burnout and that sort of thing. 8 regionals, 335 teams. That's 2x the CA regionals for 2x the teams, in a similar area. Think about that for a minute: that's a team/event density of 2x, and the area is similar. Guess who's better suited for the next district area?

Originally Posted by O'Sancheski (Post 1067825)

True. But a lot of people/ teams don't want to always attend a 30-35 team regional. People in the New England area like their regionals to be in the 50s and 60s.

Originally Posted by 1075guy (Post 1067805)

I wouldn't be terribly surprised to see Canada adopt a district type system either. We already have the administrative part in place (FIRST Robotics Canada), and all but one Canadian team is within a 6 hour drive of Toronto. The distant Ontario teams (1305 [NNSRI], 1535 [The Knights of Alloy], and the cluster of Quebec teams) have already been travelling to the two Canadian Regionals, so I can't see that being a big barrier to it. The only Canadian team that would be left out to pasture, pardon the pun, would be 1482, from Calgary, AB (Though they ARE reigning GTREast Champions). They could easily be incorporated to US regionals much closer to home for them.

Originally Posted by EricH (Post 1067823)

I don't see the need in CA yet--or, more to the point, the organization.

CA has 4 events, one of which could probably go to a double event if really needed, in 2 main areas: north and south. Or, more specifically, there are 2 in the north (SVR, Sacramento) and 2 in the south (L.A. and San Diego). There are no fewer than 3 separate "support groups" in the state of CA: WRRF, SCRRF, and Team San Diego (and I think there are another couple groups around somewhere). You'd want all 3 on the same page, or close to it.

And there's a big hole in the middle of the state (southern end of the Central Valley, desert--the central coast has teams but no regionals), and another in the northern end. CA has somewhere around 150-175 teams, and one or more urban areas without an event so far (Bakersfield and Fresno come to mind). CA is really sort of fragmented in terms of team concentration.



The Northeast may claim that they don't need it, but in reality, they seem to already have that capability (8 regionals in 6 weeks, plus about an equal number of offseasons over the following 6 months), so the switch there would be relatively painless aside from volunteer burnout and that sort of thing. 8 regionals, 335 teams. That's 2x the CA regionals for 2x the teams, in a similar area. Think about that for a minute: that's a team/event density of 2x, and the area is similar. Guess who's better suited for the next district area?

Originally Posted by JB987 (Post 1067835)

Just an FYI, Eric...inside word has it that Fresno will have a regional next year with main sponsor and venue lined up already...

Originally Posted by DSM33 (Post 1067853)

5 regionals in one state? sounds like the perfect set-up for a district system to me!

Originally Posted by Molten (Post 1067866)

Just from reading this thread I notice a trend. Though everyone can agree that the District system has definite benefits, they also agree that it should spread elsewhere and not in their home playing field. At least for now that seems to be a pretty common sentiment. I'd be willing to bet I could name every state and everyone would come up with a reason for it not to be there. I'd hate to be in FIRST's shoes for this decision.

Jason

Originally Posted by dodar (Post 1067870)

The only state that can, as of now, be off on their own is Michigan.

Originally Posted by SuperNerd256 (Post 1067872)

Now while I'm sure it has its benefits, it kind of makes it more difficult for most teams to make it to the championships, since most may be eliminated in the 1st round.

Originally Posted by Molten (Post 1067866)

Just from reading this thread I notice a trend. Though everyone can agree that the District system has definite benefits, they also agree that it should spread elsewhere and not in their home playing field. At least for now that seems to be a pretty common sentiment. I'd be willing to bet I could name every state and everyone would come up with a reason for it not to be there. I'd hate to be in FIRST's shoes for this decision.

Jason

Originally Posted by Cynette (Post 1068002)

One opportunity for us in spending time considering the district models is learning some geography for states and regions!

I had some fun looking at the grouping of FLR (Rochester, NY) with the other "northeast" regionals. Just as we need to realize that it is 4-5 hours between the northern and southern California concentrations, some of you may be surprised to learn that it is almost 340 miles and 5 1/2 hours from Rochester to the closest of those regionals (Hartford, CT). Our closest current regional is Toronto. While it is only 3 1/2 hours there is a border between.