[N7UJJ]

When a team is at a competition, we are not just spectators, but participants. If it wasn't for the teams and their robots, there would be no event. We are not there for entertainment, but because we made a commitment. (Could you see an NBA player bolting from the bench to the snack bar for a drink of water?) We are also there for 6-10 hours each day. Unlike spectators, we can't leave for a few hours for lunch. Many members of the team do not have their own transportation. We're trapped.

I can understand the business considerations that a venue has to make. I also think most of the food sold at such venues is pure junk. Kind of hard to buy fruit or low-fat or anything healthy. Anyone with dietary restrictions would have an especially hard time.

Just as Intel, Microchip and the thousands of companies have supported us in FIRST, wouldn't it be wonderful if we were allowed to eat in their parking lot? Why can't we bring in our own water? Gracious Professionalism could be demonstrated by the venue/food providers.

I sympathize with the moral dilemma of smuggling in water to a venue, but I think I empathies with the smugglers. It may not be right, but …