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Re: Biased Competetions
My team is currently sponsored by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Corporation. At the New Jersey Regional, BMS & Johnson&Johnson team up to pay for the regional I do believe; BMS also sponsors 7 teams at the event this year. I am one of those people who cannot say enough for what BMS has done for me, my team, and our experiences with FIRST over the past 3 years. Not once have we ever been asked to pick another BMS team as an alliance, and but we do get along with the other teams. For the kickoff they host a giant meeting between many of the teams, and at the NJ regional this year we took a picture with all of the teams. Generally all of the mentors know one another, so we are constantly meeting the coaches and students of other BMS teams. We share our parts, tools, everything. Not that we wouldn't do this with other teams at will, but you go to your friends first when you need something right?
With all this said, the number of teams sponsored by one company makes it hard statistically to not see multiple ones of them in the playoffs. Given that BMS is willing to donate enough $ for 7 teams, they are also willing to give the resources needed for excellent robots. Last year at NJ #25 was seeded #1, we were #3, and we took #1029(?) as one of our alliances. Again with so many teams, chances are that one of the 7 closest pits to you is going to be sponsored by your sponsor.
-Rc
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