Quote:
Originally Posted by gblake
So why don't you??? This is a serious question, not a rhetorical one.
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I don't believe FIRST HQ would allow a team to opt out in 2009 (first year it was "piloted") because there were concerns of a large group opting out.
UP teams could pay the $5K, and then pay $4K to attend Wisconsin ($9K for 1 event) or they could pay $5K and attend one district and pay $4k and attend Wisconsin ($9k for 2 events). This would be most similar to other 2 event teams (cost/travel), but the District would not allow for a birth to championship like regionals do so they still wouldn't be getting quite as much value for the money (though they would likely get more matches).
All this being said, it is tough for many teams that are fairly isolated from events. Team that are remote relative to Regionals still have to travel large distances (and have for many many years), but they do get more options of where they want to travel to.
If the goal for the 3 UP teams would be to be at the same districts in order to decrease logistical burdens, I would write a polite letter to the board of FiM stating your case. The board may be able to work with the person that finalizes the schedule to make a special case for them.
If the goal of the UP teams was to opt out of the District System, they would likely have to go to FIRST HQ to get approval. That being said if I remember right, even Wisconsin still was 5+ hours and required out of state logistics (many schools have special policies for taking minors across state boarders).
UP teams are in a tough spot, but they are also pretty tough people.
If the District style model spreads, this will hopefully take care of itself. I see in the future a system with around 30-35 Regional Championships and around 100-200 district events (100 Districts = 2000 teams 200 districts = 4000 teams). Each regional championship will likely have 10 or so championship slots. My guess would be that this would be about 5 years out for a conversion.
2009 Michigan District System Pilot
2010-District Model approved, but only Michigan 8% of teams 1 state Championship
2011 District Model approved, but only Michigan 8% of teams 1 state Championship
2012 Michigan and 1 or 2 other regions 16-24% of teams 1 MSC 1or2 "Regional Champsionships"
2013 3-7 more new regions 40-50% of teams 6-10 Regional Championships (some of the big regions may split).
2014 5-10 more regions with probably 75% of teams a district system with 10-20 Regional Championships and hopefully no longer having "boarder restrictions".