Quote:
Originally Posted by iVanDuzer
Also, I was "behind the glass" once, over the course of my 6 years in FIRST. But I'd still say that I got the "full FIRST experience." A driver does not an inspired student make.
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I was heavily involved on my team, especially directly in working with the robot. I was never on the drive team. Why? Other students were simply more qualified. I tried out for the spot and it really just wasn't my thing. I much preferred hanging in the pits, talking to judges and scouts, and then wandering over to the stands to watch our matches when I could. I don't think I got anything less out of my experience because I was not on the drive team. In fact, because I was not on the drive team, I was able to be a Chairman's Award presenter for my team (after a conflict between our Chairman's presentation time and a match at CMP in 06, we decided it was probably best to not have drivers also present Chairman's), which was another great honor and led to me being able to be a representative for my team off the field while my friends and teammates were representing us on the field. I sometimes acted as "drive coach" during off-season events, but, by that time, our drivers didn't really need much coaching and I was really just there as a placeholder.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alan Anderson
I don't understand that sentiment at all. Mentors add to the process. That's the very foundation of FRC.
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This. Again and again this. This is also something that's brought up in threads about student-built robots. Mentors are there to be involved with the team. They're not just babysitters. As it's been said over and over, let teams do what works for them and just worry about yourself. We have had the same drive coach for many, many years. It works well for us. So we leave it as is.
I wish teams would stop criticizing others for the way they choose to run and organize their teams. I see so many posts on here calling out other teams for not being fair for doing things that are within the rules. A lot of times it has to do with such teams being more successful. Maybe, just maybe, they are the ones getting it right. Everyone has every opportunity to have a mentor act as a drive coach. It's not like they're sneaking around to get mentors on the field. So relax.