[Andy Baker]

Mike Martus is one of those guys who has made a great impact on FIRST. The FIRST community all owes a bow and a round of applause to Mike Martus. I shudder to think what FIRST would be without Mike around. Most likely, I would not be typing on this website right now.

We all know that Mike is a great mentor and teacher for ChiefDelphi, but I want to talk about how great of an inspector he is.

I recall the first regional that we had Mike as a robot inspector. It was the 2001 West Michigan Regional. He gave us the most complete inspection our team ever had. Mike was grilling our lead electrical student about some details and the student was looking to us engineers for help. He knew the answers, but Mike was so completely thurough that the student began the wilt. We engineers just let our student ride it out as Mike continued to ask him questions, and it was a good test for this student. Later on, the lead students came to me, saying "that was not fair... who does that guy think he is? Those were tough questions! waaaa! waaaa!"

I just said "That is one of the best mentors in FIRST who just gave you the best inspection you ever had. You work so hard on this robot and you DESERVE a good inspection. You should go back to him and thank him for a good, complete inspection." The students agreed and did thank him.

From that point on, Mike Martus set the example for inspecting robots. His unwavering, detailed, thourough and caring style sets the standard for the rest of us. All inspectors should take after Mike... all FIRST teams deserve great inspections.

Good job, Mike.

Thank you,
Andy Baker