[FRC3883FRC]

This a great thread to read. I started with team 3883 the Data Bits as a Junior. 3883 was the last team to register in the 2011 season. The team only had a 4 week build and 7ish students on the team, 3 of them not in ROTC. Our head mentor Jim was a wizard at anything mechanical and lead the team through the build teaching us all the tools in the shop better then the actual school teacher.

At our first ever regional we pitted next to team 93. Lets just say our two tool boxes was nothing compared to their pit. The Data Bits team had made a solid robot that I was now the driver of. At the end of the competition the team was seeded 12 and pulled into the 7th seed captains. With it being our first event our student we sent up to pick teams had no info at all. It was still a great time in the elims.

The next year was my senior year and the team grew in to the high teens. Though it was a lot of seniors (all but 3). Again the team build a solid robot that I balanced on many of bridges. This got us drafted into the elims in both regionals we competed in and qualified us for the first ever MN State Tournament. It was at State that the team seeded first! Going all the way and taking the win. No better way to end my senior year.

With all but 3 graduating for the next year the team was made up of 20 new freshmen. I came back to help mentor the team along with some of the other previous seniors. Again the team went on to build a solid robot that competed in the elims in both regionals we attended.

We now come to this season. Many returning students and a number of new ones as well. Into the high 20s of students on the team. The first regional our shooter was just not what it needed to be, but defense was why we were chosen to be on the 1st seed alliance, and qualifying for state. At the second fouls turned many matches we would have won, but the robot was making itself look really good. Fixed the shooter problem and became one of the top shooting robots. Again making it into the elims.

Now since the start 3883 the Data Bits have made it into every elim and won state, but has yet to see the world champs. Sure it would be great to go but thats just the way things have gone. The team has still reached many goals and continues to make its name known. Even with out going to the world champs this team has inspired many of its students.

Victory

From a first year student Erica

"I was gonna make this long post about how much you all mean to me and how proud I am of each and every one of you, but you all probably know that. Robotics is the most hectic, most exciting, most tense and rewarding thing I've done ever, and I'm glad to call you all my team, AND my FIRST family."

Ill take that quote over world champs this year.