Thread: Wild Card 2013
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Unread 18-03-2013, 15:20
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Re: Wild Card 2013

Quote:
Originally Posted by Racer26 View Post
CMP should really be the battle of the best. MSC and MAR Championships are seen as high-strength events, and that is owing to the invitation-only nature of them. They are good vehicles for sending the best teams from their region to Championship.
It makes sense to make Championship a battle of the best ,but there is also something to be said for the opportunity for some of the more average teams to have the ability to attend championship. Sure it makes sense in a traditional competition for the championship to only involve the best teams, but this is also FIRST -- it's about the students and inspiration. Championship is the most inspiring event that a high school student interested in STEM careers could attend. Attending this event as a competitor, even if your robot does not dominate, can have a huge impact on students on less developed teams.

I have never been to championship, as my team is still growing. Because St. Louis is relatively near, and I have a brother in St. Louis, I am attending Championship as a volunteer in order to experience such an inspirational event.

An alliances second pick or backup team getting a spot may seem to take a championship spot of a better team, but it also gives students on less fortunate teams that same opportunity to be inspired. Students on an average team that attend championship could use that inspiration to grow and become an even stronger team. The luck factor in being an average team as second pick plays a subtle role in helping teams grow.

With that said, I definitely agree that the current structure leaves many deserving teams out of championship. Perhaps an in-between solution would be necessary.
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