Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Blake
AGREED, Andrew... DISTRICT MODEL _next_ year!!
Let's just get there for crying out loud... pick a date and execute it.
And let's move away from this tiered eligibility list for TRR or _anything_ FIRST competition robotics related that involves _exclusion_ of private and home school students--it's just NOT right.
--Michael Blake
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I think the real problem is that for the last 5-6 years, TRR has served as the "state championship" for Texas. Its the flagship of Texas offseason. And rather than create another event for UIL as they probably should have, they just decided to take over TRR and use its recognition and systems to serve as the "UIL state championship". They're sort of corrupting something that was special to many Texas Teams.
But they took it a step further with allowing non UIL teams into the UIL event. Now you've created tension where good non-UIL teams might not get in. It seems they want to have their cake and eat it too with not recognizing non-UIL teams, but also wanting them to come play.
I don't think either its a huge deal though. As long as TRR selects its "wait list slots"
SOLEY based on the next teams in district ranking, the teams that will be at the event are the same regardless of whether or not they are UIL. If TRR were not to follow that protocol is when people would start being justified in being upset.
I think the recognition of UIL teams that may not have won TRR as "State champs" will be the most awkward thing ever, if/when it happens.