I would respectfully request that people try to promote/support their views with their arguments and not use conversations with other people. Let people speak for themselves.
In Phoenix as in other events, I tried very hard to hear out every team member who wanted to speak about any issue.
Again, I told each team member who requested to speak to me that the issue of "agreements" is not one which I can speak for FIRST.
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quote:
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Originally posted by Jason Morrella, FIRST
- I DID say that if I was still coaching a team, I personally wouldn't make one of these agreements.
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- I did say that "if EVERY team and EVERY match had these agreements, it would be bad for the competition in my opinion".
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Did I say these things - yes. But each of these statements and many others are taken out of the context of the full conversations. I never said or implied anything other than if EVERY team and EVERY match was the same, it would be bad for the competition. THIS IS NOT THE CASE THIS YEAR and WILL NOT BECOME THE CASE, regardless of what "hypothetical scenarios" people can logically come up with. Just like if EVERY team built the same stacking robot, or every team built a king of the hill robot which couldn't go under that bar, the game would not be as good.
But I also said:
"there is no rule against it - so FIRST will not make any announcement or judgment on this issue, it is up to each team to decide"
"it is not fixing or cheating in my view. It may be score manipulating or maybe even collusion, but not cheating"
"While I wouldn't choose to do it, I also wouldn't get too worked up about other teams doing it. I'm not going to judge them either harshly or negatively. In my opinion teams still have to outplay other alliances and win the majority of their matches to seed in the top 8, plus 24 teams make the playoffs. FIRST teams scout, and they are smart - top performing teams typically make the playoffs regardless of where they seed"
Also, yes I said some FIRST staff monitor forums like these. I said FIRST tries hard to follow the views of the teams during the season and at the Team Forums. If that implied that any point of view would get "official" approval by FIRST just because it was supported by many teams on an Internet forum thread, then I miscommunicated and apologize. These forums are good for discussion - and these threads have shown that teams have different views on the subject.
I am flattered that some posts seem to think that referencing my opinion holds any value (there are many who would like to sit these people down and set them straight
) - but to take things out of context, or to imply I said things which I didn't, or to imply that I am speaking for FIRST on this issue is not fair to myself, FIRST, this forum, or the people exchanging their own views. My opinion about stack agreements is no more important or valuable than that of anyone else. I was asked by many to discuss it, and I did. Team leaders from Sacramento or Arizona should not refer to conversations to support their views, when I specifically said I am not the voice of FIRST on this issue other than to say "it is not against the rules and it is an issue for each team to decide" . If you want someone to give their opinion in a post, just ask them to post it - but please don't speak for people or take their thoughts out of context.
While there have been a number of reckless, irresponsible, and unproductive posts in these threads - MANY people have expressed very valid points and are having a very valid discussion. There is so much gracious professionalism in FIRST, and I was nothing but impressed by the quality of teams and people I have met at the events so far this year. Being able to speak with and get the views of very impressive people including the leaders from teams such as 60, 64, 68, 599, 624, 698, 980 and others was and is a great part of working with FIRST. I left the events with a TREMENDOUS amount of respect for each of the people I spoke with, and very much look forward to working with them and speaking with them at future events this year and for years to come. I learn a great deal from hearing the different views of different teams, and normally I learn that things are not as black & white as I may have first felt, that there is normally a middle ground with well intentioned thoughts on both sides.
"My" take in this FIRST discussion is that things will work themselves out as they usually do. Again - I don't speak for FIRST or anyone else, it's all my opinion.
Heck, even countries in the United Nations can't agree if War should be a last resort or is justified if you haven't been attacked first. Many opinions on both sides, and both sides seem convinced they are right and the other side is crazy. (sound familiar?). So if the United Nations can't come to a consensus about going to war, maybe working out little tiny issues like these "agreements" in qualifying matches can help us create future generations of better qualified and skilled leaders who understand the importance of working things out.
Good luck to everyone in week three and the rest of the season - have a great time and celebrate the great things your teams have done!!!