[logank013]

Originally Posted by Chief Hedgehog

I love this thread. It has provided great fodder for the MNFIRST higher-ups to chew on.

Here is what I see - and this is my own opinion:

MN is an anomaly for a few reasons:
1. MN grew so large so quickly - MNFirst is not sure what is a 'trend' or what is a 'growth pang'.
2. MN has 4 incredible regionals that draw in teams from around the US and the rest of the world - it would be hard to step away from this model. The media coverage of all four events is incredible.
3. MN is not done growing. Most MPLS/StPaul area teams are now maturing into strong teams; almost all Duluth area/Arrowhead/Iron Range schools have teams; the southeast has been covered and most students have access to a team. However, the Central Minnesota area is still an untapped resource. The areas around St Cloud and Mankato have the potential to produce another 30-50 teams.
4. Because of the strong, rapid growth, it is hard to gather/train a large volunteer army - and MNFIRST is doing all that they can to help this!
5. The MSHSL adopting FRC as the State's Robotics High School program proves to be an issue. It is not the sole fact that the MSHSL adopted FRC - it is the fact that the State Tournament happens on the calendar constraints of the UofM.
6. The UofM has been a great partner with MNFIRST. If MNFIRST decides to stray from the Regional Model, we could lose the UofM as one of our oldest and best sponsors. I am not ready to accept that outcome.
7. MN needs another regional - possibly two - to gather the support from the local communities and the state's top companies to throw their support behind FRC. IF St Cloud can gain enough support (from the local companies) to bring in a FRC Regional, this could be the lynchpin for MN going to Districts.
8. ALL of MN's regionals happen on the East side (including the new IA regional) of the state. Because of this, there is no growth in volunteer numbers in the greater part of MN.

In fact, some of the larger high schools in Minnesota do not yet have an FRC team. Saint Michael-Albertville, Rogers, St Cloud Tech, St Cloud Apollo, Sartell, Princeton, and 30 other schools in Central MN do not have their own FRC team. Students from these schools have to join other teams or be apart of a conjoined team.

What most people don't realize is that St Cloud is the HUB of manufacturing in Minnesota. It is not that St Cloud has more manufacturers that other metro areas in MN - it is that the greater St Cloud area (Central MN) hosts a great many mid-level manufacturers that have not yet seen the benefits of FRC in their local communities. The CMMA (Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association) has recently started a program to help sponsor teams in the area. If the business and hospitality communities see the benefit, St Cloud has a real chance of gaining the next Regional in MN.

The next hurdle for MN is St Cloud State University. IF SCSU can come into the fold of MNFIRST - and provide MNFIRST the same ammenities that the UofM does, then Central MN can start to grow additional Volunteers. Until then, we will be relegated to bringing up Volunteer talent in the east - or from WI, IL, etc.

Before MN goes to districts, I would like to see two more Regionals. One in St Cloud, and one in Mankato. If MNFIRST finds a way for these to happen, then I see MN going to districts in short order.

And I like Regionals. It is like a poker tournament in the final round - all chips in from all participants. It also allows for great team-building events for those that have to travel great distances...

I'm curious about a few things since I've never participated in the regional model before. So what would adding two regionals add to benefit FIRST in MN? Is it just to get the community to rally behind districts? Or would that be to help MN train volunteers to the higher positions. If MN adds more regionals, more teams would join and MN would be in the same situation. MN would need more districts with more teams after adding more regionals. Either which way MN goes, MN will need more volunteers. MN had 192 teams last year. NE district had 175 teams last year. They had 10 district events and the championship. MN would probably need around 10-12 district event and the championship. The championship would be Like a regional volunteer wise so the 10-12 district events would be like the volunteers from 3 regionals. With that said, district events are smaller which requires a little less volunteers (by my guess) since each district event would be around 35-42 teams where the regionals in MN were around 62 teams at each. NE had a district championship with 60 teams so that would be the equivalent of a regional. The. You could host that event at a regional facility. My thoughts are, if MN adds more regionals or they switch to districts, the volunteer problem would still be there. The only reason to stick with regionals over districts would be due to Sponsors, lack community support, or lack of facilities. And I feel like sponsors wouldn't care as much because with districts, you'll be able to send more teams to worlds. Last year, NE had a guaranteed 35 spots not including wait list. MN only had 24 spots guaranteed last year if my math is correct. And NE is a smaller district. So I could see MN having 38 spots for worlds. That would make many robot sponsors happy, wouldn't it? Thanks for reading. I'm curious to see how close or far off I am.