Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Fultz
Can you elaborate on how the IRI changed your view of FIRST?
I am interested....
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Since you asked-
1. IRI was staged on par with a regional and yet the cost was only $300 per team. I work with the local regional committee and we are talking thousands per team. I know IRI got some sponsorship funding. But the question in my mind is, where are we spending all that money for the regional and how can we be more efficient?
2. Not to offend or stir up a tempest but the local crowd at IRI was essentially cold to us. What stands out in my mind is sitting most of the day with one team we respected for years. We cheered and clapped when their machine went out and talked to the folks as we sat. When OUR machine went out the same people rooted for the other guy.
Now I know everybody has favorites but it made me feel unwelcome.
3. On the other hand a number of teams we knew from past paths crossing did reunite with us and we did have some fun. One circumstance I recall is two kids from the Huskies visited our pits and said hi. Made my day. When you spend two days in transit to attend an event it is nice to know somebody is happy to see you there.
So in essence the situation seemed to be- if they knew you somebody clapped for you and supported you, if they don't you were a threat. We went out to play the Nat. finals winners one more time and have fun- thats it. It seemed a bit too serious about winning for my taste.
So in the end the question is" would I drive 12 hrs. again to go to an event in the Midwest?". Right now the answer is probably no.
WC