[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Mike Schreiber

Well for what it's worth I am from a district system (IMO is kinda the key here) where we DO present for the award like Chairman's.

I also tend to see a pattern. In the time I have been involved in FIRST 1/2 of the Championship EI winners have gone on to win Chairman's in the next few years.

2005 - 842 wins EI, 2008 - they win CA
2006 - 365 wins EI, 2007 - they win CA
2008 - 359 wins EI, 2011 - they win CA
2009 - 341 wins EI, 2010 - they win CA

One is about inspiring others, the other is about being a role model team, but the teams that inspire their community on level impactful enough to win EI at champs ARE role model teams.

I'm from a district system too... Still don't like the presenting-for-EI thing. To me, it perpetuates the idea that it's a runner-up to CA, which is just untrue. In most cases across the community, teams still don't present for EI. Districts are the exception there.

That's an interesting pattern - didn't realize that. However, I still think it's pretty great to have four potential future-hall-of-famers than just one each year. I think I like the idea of sharing the honors across the divisions, but we'll see how it pans out when we all get there, I suppose.