[EricH]

When someone posts on CD with the type of attitude towards a team that was reported as shown to 1114, I stand with the team. More often than not, there is no grounds for the accusation of being mentor-built. More often than not, it isn't the first time that the team has had to defend themselves against that. Usually, the person doing the original post collects a few negative reputation clicks and backs off their stance a *bit*. Or they actually take the time to meet with the team, and do a U-turn. (Same goes for other types of baseless accusations.)

But doing it to their face and consistently? That is taking that attitude to a new low. Whoever was doing this should be ashamed of themselves. Not for having an opinion, but for their chosen method of expressing it. If you want to express that type of opinion, be professional and go to them and express it. Let them explain their methods. You have the option to adopt those methods or not.

FIRST has not specified that student-built teams are better than mentor-built teams. The only thing saying that is pride/jealousy among certain individuals. Maybe they should take that pride/jealousy and instead of trying to beat X powerhouse, they should try to be that powerhouse. Raise the level of competition, and raise the professionalism level at the same time--sounds like a win-win.