[mrnoble]

Registration fees have been, for at least the 10 years I can recall, at least as high as they are now. KOP is part of that, sure, but personally I wouldn't have ever paid 5 or 6K for a box of metal and plastic and a controller. I've always thought of the entry fee as providing my team with a professionally designed game, a large, professionally designed and built playing field, rental of a top-notch facility and equipment for competition, and training for all of the important people who make the competitions run smoothly. I know there are often glitches, but I've participated in enough other events (such as non-FIRST robotics, STEM clubs, and pumpkin-tossing catapults) to greatly appreciate the high bar FRC sets each year.