Quote:
Originally Posted by Sunshine
And there is just something special for our students to be compete on/in a professional sports facility.
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This is exactly my argument for districts. If FIRST is trying to be a varsity sport for the mind, why not emulate successful varsity sports? Every varsity sport that I know of competes in high schools. Makes sense. The good teams earn their way to the regional and state championships. Those championship events are hosted in big arenas. As a little kid it was my dream to play varsity football on the floor of the Metrodome. If I automatically qualified to play at the Metrodome, it wouldn't have been special, or something to aspire to. Same goes for Regionals/Districts. If I automatically qualify to play on a grand stage it's not that special (Regionals). If I earn my way there through perseverance and hard work, it's truly special and something that I'll remember as a great achievement (Districts).
Hosting events in high school gyms also makes FRC more accessible for the public. Do you think Joe Shmoe from my hometown is more likely to drive 60-100 miles to watch my team in a glorious stadium, or drive 3-5 miles to my high school gym? If Joe Shmoe sees what's going in his hometown, and realizes how special FRC is, maybe he'll decide to get involved. Maybe he owns Company XYZ and decides to sponsor FRC teams in the future. Maybe Joe wants to mentor next year, or show his friends. Certainly none of this happens if we don't play in a high school gym. It definitely doesn't happen if we're going to some far away stadium and Joe has no idea we even exist.