Quote:
Originally Posted by Koko Ed
I don't see why MARC is obligated to serve the rejected teams of IRI when it's a whole month earlier.
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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.