Quote:
Originally Posted by Michael Corsetto
Question:
Which is more important?
1. Keeping the WFFA and WFA awards "exclusive" and "singular" in nature
OR
2. Recognizing and celebrating one accomplished mentor at every FRC event
I'll throw my hat in the ring that option #2 is FAR more important.
This decision, and the decision to only give out WFFA's at the DCMP level, gives me the impression that the WFAs are holding on to a failing architecture that cannot adequately recognize deserving mentors. I really dislike split champs, but I dislike split champs without a WFA even more.
The "prestige" of the award does not merit excluding many events from celebrating a deserving mentor.
-Mike
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Mike,
You and I are usually aligned in our beliefs about all things FRC, but you and I could not be further apart on this one my friend (at least based on your quoted post).
First, let me explain our rationale on the district champs WFFA. Quite the contrary to your claim about us holding on to a failing architecture we were trying to think way beyond the regional model. Our decision to celebrate 1 WFFA at the district championship was made when there was only 1 district championship (Michigan) and on the heels of a year that Michigan had 3 WFFA due to their three regional events. We were trying to set a precedent that once everyone has a district championship then each would have 1 winner that would represent their set of districts. Obviously, we hold true to this principle today. We thought (and still think) that one winner from each region makes sense if someone came into the program once we are all in districts. Now, the claim from you and others that we recognize less mentors today than before is just plain incorrect. The WFAs have set direction that at every district event the nominees at that event for the district champs are to be called down on the field and recognized. The ONLY difference between this process and awarding a winner at each district is the trophy. Otherwise, ALL of these nominated mentors get recognized. In the old Regional system only the selected winner gets recognized.
We realize that some districts do not call every nominated mentor down to the floor and we are working to set clearer direction on this as it is our strong belief that every nominated district mentor should be called down to the field to be recognized.
This means that once everyone is doing the district model every single mentor that was nominated will be recognized.
Holding on to a failing architecture? I don't think so.
Paul