[ahartnet]

Do Minnesota or Arizona have state champs that non-eligible teams (not just non-UIL teams in Texas' case, but teams that just didn't qualify too) can compete in? I think that logistically is what could cause the most headaches, or at least questions.

From the FAQ TRR will not exclude any teams from joining - nor would I want them to. However, if the UIL "state champs" is determined by performance at TRR, does that mean that there will be consideration to the schedule? If a team that is trying to win the state champs has multiple matches paired with various pre-rookies (or other teams that don't qualify for the state champs, or on the flip side maybe some really awesome bots/teams that aren't UIL eligible) then that seems kind of weird to me.

Also, if teams that want to be eligible for the UIL state champs need to bag their robot to compete in late July (a minimum of about 2 months after their last event) - I also see that as a negative.

I see a lot of benefits to being in the UIL pilot program for sure, and maybe there was pressure to join now since BEST is joining and we didn't want to get left behind - but it sure does seem like it would work a lot smoother to crown UIL state champs based on the highest ranked eligible team based on district points - which hopefully is right around the corner.

I guess worst case scenario is we have one or two more seasons where a UIL state champs is kind of kludgey, and then hopefully something that makes a little more sense. Or perhaps something will come out in the spring and it'll just be robot performance at regionals, and then some completely other criteria at TRR.

<s>or maybe Texas changes to districts between now and Feb 23rd</s>

Looking forward to more information as it comes out - especially because I've always been under the impression that UIL doesn't allow district wide teams. Even with all the questions I think it raises, I'm glad that I can start telling the school district that FIRST is now in a UIL pilot program - it could be a huge help for us.