Seems like this happens every year (just like in
2002 Chokehold and
2003 Collusion ). I thought the new win-loss qualifications system would end these ungracious qualification strategies, but alas I was too optimistic. Game theory and the less savory parts of human nature prevail over Gracious Professionalism too frequently. I think so highly of the FIRST community because of the great sportsmanship among most of the teams, but the actions of a few teams just don't live up to that.
Why do we compete in FIRST Competitions?
It is obviously not money like professional athletes. We volunteer our valuable time in an attempt to win cheap trophies and medallions. We play for pride, pride in our team and in our work.
Nothing can bring you more pride than going to a competition and doing your best every match (no matter how well you do). That robot is a product of your hard work and its mere existence is a tribute to your greatness. Throwing a match for any reason is self-defeating. It damages pride beyond what trophies can repair. I would rather be the first pick of the 8th Alliance than the second pick of the 1st Alliance. If you do your best and purposly lose maybe you will end up picking or as the 1st pick. As for letting "friend" teams win: this is a "riendly competition", so be friends and compete already.
Let’s have a fair competition free of qualification ranking trickery for once. May the best teams win. If we are all have pride in our teams, we are all winners!