[Bob Steele]

Originally posted by Carol.....QUOTE/Most of all, don't go to St. Louis with the attitude that since they have changed things, it's going to be horrible and a waste of time and money. Embrace the opportunities there. Enjoy the experience.[/quote]

Carol,
First of all I am not sure you you get the above comment out of my original post.

I was speaking in regards to how to explain to a large group of parents why they won't be able to actually sit in the stands and see there students participating on the field.

I have been to championships for 8 years now... I am aware that there are many things to do... most of things are very appealing to students and mentors... but parents come to see their student's team play on the field. I will certainly encourage them to enjoy everything but they are going to be asking me this question...
I don't have an answer for them...

It will not be a simple thing to just drop by scholarship row and take that in and also visit the other fields and STILL get into the crowded pit stands and find a seat to see one of the 10 or so matches that will be scheduled for the team.

My team will come and play and have a good time. We will partake in everything that is going on...we don't do anything any other way.
We don't spend $25,000 + of team money to come out to complain we come to compete and make new friends and everything else FIRST is about. Parents don't really understand much of this... sure we educate them the best we can... but they want to see the competition.


I feel this is a legitimate concern and I really want to know what to tell parents when it comes up. It has ALREADY come up with my team and its supporters when I have explained what is going be going on in regards to having to change fields. I have repeatedly been asked why and it puts me in a difficult position to have to say that I don't know why...I have to defend FIRST when I am not given any reasons ......



I am more than a little concerned when another teams mentor jumps on a comment and makes the assumption that we are expecting it to be horrible so somehow we are doing something wrong...