[marshall]

I'm not sure how I feel about all of this at the moment. As a mentor, I have a lot of concerns and I haven't spoken to my students about it yet, which will help me make up my mind. Their input is by far the most valuable.

I did kind of figure that FIRST was going to have to split the big event in two after going through some of the nonsense last year and this year with hotel booking in St Louis. It's just too large for a single city at this point.

I'm just not sure that FIRST have fully thought through this plan but beyond that, it seems like they have left too many questions unanswered at this point. I think what we all want is a state of the union address from Kamen and Co that explains the thought process and the long term plan for FIRST and in particular, for FRC.

There is a lot at play here. From students and safety in a severely poverty stricken city, to an entire generation of FRC students who are becoming mentors, to a non-defensive game this year, to not being able to see some great friends we've met over the years at these events for a while... It's a lot to take in. I also suspect some of the frustration is because of the timing of this announcement.

I'll reserve final judgement and letter writing until after this season is over and the dust has settled but... It's hard for me to buy into the Olympic comparisons they are making when they are talking about having two sets of winners. You can't make everyone a winner... I think it takes away from the inspiration. That being said, two events was going to happen at some point.