Quote:
Originally posted by Joe Ross
I see three major points being argued in this thread.
1. The original 6 teams shouldn't be get a free ride.
While I personally think that those 6 teams shouldn't get a free ride, this is the same rule that has been argued about over the past 2 years. I haven't seen any new information presented on the against side, and the for side seem to have better arguments then before.
2. It's really hard to travel on such short notice
Yes, it is hard to travel on such short notice, and even harder to raise funds that quickly. However, there are LESS teams traveling on short notice then before. This year, only 6 teams will qualify from each regional. Last year, there were 8 from each regional.
3. Nationals shouldn't be limited
Very few people have argued that nationals were better when they were smaller, the issue is how big can nationals get? I think it is possible for nationals to get bigger then the current 300 team limit. But, I know they can't get big enough to encompass every high school in the country. Is it a big deal if they could have 400 teams out of 800 go to nationals, instead of 300? maybe. What about that difference of 100 when there are 10,000 teams?
Just for reference, the Championships of the Quiz bowl, had about 50 teams, the Academic decathalon had 37 and MATHCOUNTS had 25. I'd say FIRST is way ahead of the curve as far as getting teams to participate in the championships. Also, AFAIK, there is no national championships for any high school sports teams.
.
I am not a fan of those people who tell you not to argue. So I'm not telling you not to argue, but to look at the whole picture when arguing.
|
To say the nationals are a true championship is false because many of the teams will be there simply by being in the right year. The event is an invitational plain and simple. To compare it with the events you mention above is ludicrous.
The goal is to encompass ALL the high schools in the nation yet we restrict the big event to 300 teams. Thats the problem. 400 WOULD be better, 800 would be better still. What's the limit? Who knows. But if nobody ever looks it expand the event it will always be 300.
The travel on short notice IS an issue and MORE will need to make flash arrangements since in the past a number of the top teams have been prequalified from the prior year anyway. Now everybody is thrust unto the last minute trip mode. How you come up with the LESS figure is beyond me.
As for the original teams- I am betting that somewhere in the past someone promised them that they would forever be qualified to compete. I respect the ruling if that is the case. That is the only reason I can see they are permanently grandfathered. Do they deserve to be there? That's your call. But I can think of dozens of more recent teams who have done as much or more for FIRST, haven't won the Chairman's and who will be hurt by this decision.
WC