[Josh Hambright]

As someone who is guilty of all of the above mentioned activities (standing, cheering, clapping, dancing, waving signs, other forms of spirit) I must say that it is one of my favorite parts of FIRST. There is nothing like the feeling of seeing people cheer for your team or for you or for someone else. Its that spirit of comradery and that commond RECOGNITION of our acomplishments that really makes going to competitions amazing.

I dont know how many times i have heard from people who attend their first competition that one of the first things that they notice is that everyone is cheering and screaming and dancing and its all for robots!

I dont see how stiffleing anyones enthusiasm and excitement over the performance of their robot, or their encouragement of another team is anything but detrimental to the program and to the mission of FIRST.

Who wants to goto a competition and just sit there and golf clap for 8 hours? Not me.


With that said, there are issues of being polite and graciously professional that must be dealt with. If someone asks you to sit because they cannot see. Do not be rude to them. Move to another spot or try and talk to them and work out an agreement. Or take some of the suggestions abo like not taking up a whole row so that everyone behidn you is required to stand.

And as far as the comments about going to a concert and sitting politely. I guesse i just must be going to different shows then you guys, because most of the shows i go see, dont even have seats in the venue.