[Keith Chester]

You think of Chairmans as an award.
Therein lies the mistake.
Winning Chairmans is, instead of a free ride to Nationals, a huge responsibility. What FIRST bestowed upon 103 this year was the responsibility of being a figurehead for other eastern seaboard teams, giving them the responsibility to lead teams to help FIRST grow.

103, 175, 47, and the other national chairman award winners DESERVE the right to go to nationals every year, as but a small payment to the leadership role that they have been given.
Re-read criteria about the Chairmans award, and ask if that doesn't deserve the highest recognition and award.

I'm disgusted this was ever asked. Rethink the FIRST community as you know it, for surely it's wrong because you are focussing on only the competition.