[Nicoleaqueen]

I don't have the talent to drive, so I only have experience "on the field" as human player and student coach. Even if I wasn't really doing anything, it was exciting to be back there. Seeing how our adult coaches act when they are back there, they are just as excited, and they were definately doing something.

I don't think anything is wrong with the adults wanting a reward or thrill. I don't mean to cheapen it by using that terminology either, it really is the way to feel the greatest achievement in the shortest amount of time. I think that it is definately something that is deserved. I look at the adults who have been with us for many years through many sponsors and consider them friends and mentors. Sometimes I cannot believe the amount of work they put in. They deserve to coach, especially since the ones that work the hardest are the best at it.

I do see the FIRST perspective of making it more about the kids. Sometimes the adults get more stressed than the students, and do not always take the 'gracious professionalism' attitude. Of course, this is very few times, but negative things are always magnified.

I don't think eliminating one person is a good solution. It is far more exciting for team members to be able to participate. For those of us who are more on the executive side of things and don't build the robot, being able to be human player is really cool. Making that opportunity available to less students isn't good. On our team, all members are considered equal. Engineers and students work side by side. I definately agree with the majority of the people in here when they feel that FIRST is about the mentorship. It isn't just about the students. If it were, the adults would be paid. Aren't coaches in sports? If the adults can't drive or be human player, there should be 2 coaching possitions available.

Nicole