Quote:
Originally Posted by Atonomous
EricH and tim-tim
I understand this is a previously long drawn out affair, but given I am a long term lurker who just signed on because of what I witnessed this week-end...bear with me. These two teams are power houses, that is a given. Both didnt need this win to qualify for worlds, because they are already there. That is a known fact. So why not take the opportunity to give teams that are not qualified or in the same league to experience the growth that they need? To gain the knowledge and experience these teams have enjoyed for many years? How do you gain this level of experience without the help of the top teams? I am not really bashing 2056 or 1114, I am just saying that they both missed a good opportunity to help lesser teams gain valuable on hands experience.
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To be honest, I'm glad 1114 and 2056 teamed up again. I think (and I believe almost everyone agrees) that those two teams were the best performers at GTER, and allying with each other gave both the best opportunity to win. This is a competition, and if 2056 used their first pick on some other team "just to be nice", then it would prove to me that they are not taking the competition seriously (by not playing to win), and the integrity of the event would be compromised.
Remember that Gracious Professionalism doesn't conflict with playing hard and trying to win--it actually encourages it--but only juxtaposes it with being courteous and helping make sure that everyone can have a fair competition. Having a fair competition also doesn't mean that 1114 and 2056 have to be split up, because it's perfectly fair that they are together, given that they have not broken any FRC rules by doing so.
As has been said before, the best way to level the playing field is not to hold the top down, but to help the bottom up. There aren't many teams who have inspired or assisted as many others as 1114 and 2056 have--just look at who took home the Chairman's Clock last year.