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Originally Posted by Rich Kressly
Thanks so much for this thread Andy. I came across a similar situation, but even one step worse, in Atlanta this year. A Hall of Fame FIRST team (OK, it's 103) was standing and cheering for their own robot and drive team during a match. A FIRST Ambassador asked the team to sit because others couldn't see. A student politely explained that it was just during their match and that it was common for many teams to do this. The ambassador told this polite student that they weren't demonstrating gracious professionalism by standing. Sigh. Thankfully this is an isolated incident.
This is a team that, six years ago, had nearly no visible team spirit at competitions. In 2001 this team began an incredible transformation. By 2002, it became common for the group to cheer vigorously for their own and other teams. Do we really want to ask these teams to display less enthusiasm and less support for others? My answer is NO. Standing and cheering at appropriate times might be a minor and temporary inconvenience to some, but looking at the big picture, this is behavior FIRST needs to have and needs to foster. Cheering for others is different perhaps, but we are about culture change, aren't we?
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Well said. I guess my 2 cents (worth every penny you paid for them) is: every team works hard. We put every bit of blood, sweat and tears we have into making our team and this program successful. We work for six solid weeks...and I mean work (and that doesn't even include the part outside of the time between kickoff and ship).
The vast majority of FIRST members (students and mentors alike) have played a significant role in getting their teams ready for competition. They have earned the right to get excited and have some fun, and it is that fun and excitement that will be remembered for many many years.
Stand and cheer, for your team and any others. Stand tall, cheer loud. You have earned it. If you go home with a voice, you haven't tried hard enough.