FIRST is considering modifications to the criteria and procedures used to qualify for the FIRST Championship for 2004. This is due to a perception that the current method - based on Even/Odd Team Numbers and “points” earned during prior years - may no longer provide appropriate primary discriminators for the registration process, and will still have too many teams competing for too few open registration slots. That this is being considered probably does not come as a surprise to many folks (there is already
one thread speculating on this possibility).
As this change is being considered, FIRST and the Board are seeking input and comments on this topic from the teams. Specifically, we would like feedback on the performance of the current system, and – if a new system were to be put in place – what characteristics of a new Championship qualification system would be considered most appropriate by teams.
So, here are the ground rules:
- It is guaranteed that every response will be read and all inputs will be considered - nothing will be ignored
- No feedback – direct or indirect – will be provided until after the final decision is made and the Championship qualification criteria are announced; and even then direct feedback may not be provided
- Although all inputs will be read and considered, these input are not the only ones being sought. Thus, there is no guarantee that the final decision will be based solely on the inputs provide here.
- For any of a number of reasons, submitted suggestions may be impractical, incompatible, or unimplementable, and may not be incorporated into the final decision. There is no promise that your ideas will get used.
- We want to hear your impressions of how well the Even/Odd system has worked, or not worked
- Specific, highly detailed descriptions of alternative selection criteria are not needed – a few alternatives have already been identified and are under consideration
- We particularly DO want to hear your comments and ideas about the attributes that a fair, robust, and appropriate set of qualification criteria would have (i.e., you don’t need to tell us “here is my suggestion of an alternate points scheme for registration…” – but we really want to hear things like “a good registration process will let us know six months in advance if we are registered for the Championship, so we can start raising funds – and an excellent process will let us know a year in advance” etc.)
Note that time is short, and we need to hear from you quickly – like within the next 7-10 days. So if you have a comment, or would like to provide feedback, this is your opportunity! Let us hear from you!
If at any time during this year's competition season you thought "if I had designed the Championship Qualification Criteria, I would have done it differently..." then here is your chance! I know that if there is a single place to go for this sort of input, it will be this forum! Let's hear your thoughts.
-dave lavery
FIRST Executive Advisory Board
p.s. We are hoping to see something with a little more thought and "big picture thinking" than all the even-numbered teams really like the current system, and all the odd-numbered teams think it is horrible!
