Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunshine
Sorry Billfred, been to IRI once and only once. For the same reason I tried stating earlier. Don't like the bleacher/cafeteria environment. It felt like a high school volleyball event (nothing wrong with that) versus a Regional like Wisconsin where it feels like a really big deal to students and parents. Different strokes for different folks. (Still have fond memories of Atlanta, loved it there, more than St. Louis)
IMHO FIRST has always been different, special and unique. The arena experience is part of this. I don't want to become just another gym experience. Nor do my sponsors I think.
Some of our sponsors give us 2-5k. I fear that we would loose some of this support if they thought it was just another high school event. When we invite them to our regional events they mention how empressed they are. I don't see any high school sports teams getting the outside sponsor support we get.
I'd like to hear from those who made the switch and had major sponsors. Did they stick with you after attending districts?
Kevin, not sure why you reference your team performance? I nor anyone else mentioned it. Gotta ask. Are you totally against Regionals now? Or if they give you 1-2 more matches and judges you'll be happy?
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I rise in opposition to this idea. I honestly could care less about the AV equipment, what type of seating is in the stands, etc. For me, robots are the thing. And IRI has robot, great ones and in higher densities than any place (even more than the FiM Distict Championships - which is saying something).
Speaking of the FiM District Championships, I honestly think that is where the money for AV, stadiums, etc. is worth the expense. Move the Districts down in cost even if it means giving up a bit of the Show Business aspect of things while moving the District Championships up that same scale. I think this is the best of both worlds. It makes FIRST more affordable and more accessible to teams (by having low cost, local venues to compete in) while it makes getting the The District Championships something teams strive for and worth remembering once they reach that goal.
I know I am sounding like a District Model Fanboy, but honestly, I don't care because I believe that the District Model is the way FIRST gets us where we want to go: FIRST Robotics = Something Every High School Just Does.
Dr. Joe J.