[Joe G.]

Originally Posted by Basel A

Speaking from Michigan, my primary complaint is not that the district point system is really bad at selecting teams to qualify for the Championship, because I realise that our system is a significant improvement over the regional system in that respect. My primary complaint is that Michigan is allotted spaces based on the number of teams/regionals here 3 years ago. Michigan, based on our number of teams, should be given more slots (~4 regionals for 190 teams) than 18 (3 regionals for 132 teams). I think it would be fair to reduce the number of buy-ins to increase the number of qualifiers. This would mostly alleviate my concerns about really good Michigan teams not making the Championship.

Hmm...

Maybe once districts are widespread, FIRST needs to have a "census" to ensure that all areas are properly represented.

Though on a more serious note, we all have to realize that FIRST is going to keep on growing, and the championship probably will not. We are not going to go back to the good ol' days, when everyone could get into championship by open registration. It is only going to get harder to get there. Teams that "deserve" it will not go, because there will be more teams that "deserve it" more. We are in a transition phase, where attending champioinships is moving from a right, to something that is earned. The manner in which it is earned could arguably use some improvement. But no matter how we do it, it isn't going to get any easier to get there.