Quote:
Originally Posted by Jon Stratis
Seeing as we had some real trouble fielding enough volunteers for our 4 regionals this year (it's really been a headache for some reason), I doubt we'll be looking to try to fill out 12 district events (we've done the math - that's how many we would need) any time soon!
|
Agreed. I think we'd see a fifth regional before districts. Plus, who wants to leave 525 out (again)?
While I'd like to see districts (more matches, more events), I don't think it's feasible. One thing areas with districts have over us is they've had area-wide participation in FRC for a while (I at least know this is true for Michigan and out East - not 100% certain on PNW). As far as I know, the oldest still-active team in MN is eight years old. Anyone care to fact-check me?
Point is, they've had years of students who've graduated, gone off to college, and come back to volunteer. Minnesota doesn't really have that. Our biggest assets as a region have been growth and sustainability - I haven't seen (looking at usfirst.org) many MN teams fold, and growth was huge in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Hopefully, as more kids graduate and come back to volunteer, we'll have enough volunteers to make more regionals or districts work.
Ideally, I'd like to see a district that includes several Midwest states (the Dakotas, Iowa, Wisconsin, for instance), even if it's temporary - just to allow for and encourage growth in the Dakotas and Iowa. I don't think we should be making districts that exclude these areas until they have their own regional, at the very least.
My $0.03 (since that was longer than intended).
Anyway, very excited for this regional. My birthday is actually tomorrow, and this regional is going to be enough celebration for me.
