[Doug G]

FIRST's target goal this year was 1100 teams (growth of 18%), I hear this is not going to be reached but 1000 teams seems very possible (growth of ~8%). At this current rate of 8% growth it will take 9-10 more years to get to 2000 teams.

I keep hearing talk about FIRST in almost every high school - and honestly I don't see it happening anytime soon. When athletic programs started in high schools ~100+ years ago, not all schools had them, at least not like what they are today. I takes a lot of time for that culture to grow. I hope 50 years from know, Robot competitions will be commonplace in school, and when they are they will be funded locally like athletic programs, because parents will have a fit if they are not, after all, mom or dad were on a team when they were in high school and college and expect it from the schools.