Generally, I would consider a team no longer a rookie, once they have spent a whole season in FIRST: preseason, build, competition, and summer/offseason. (ie in our case, we started over the summer last year, so we are hitting the end of our rookie season now).
But to be honest, my team stopped acting like rookies as soon as we held our preship scrimmage. They all of a sudden seemed to know what FIRST was about, they wanted to help other teams, they showed wisdom and spirit beyond their rookiness
Me... Im a third time rookie, and loving it! But sad... As my third time, I know that the rookie year is always the best... it offers the most excitement, the most spirit, and there is always a point where you see that glint in the students eyes for the very first time. Rookies, enjoy it!
This team has been absolutely amazing, awards or no awards, and continues to suprise me. Our seniors are already making plans to come back next year and mentor, or to run off to college and start new teams! (Oh no, more rookies! hehe)
Sorry I digress... anyways, all the rookies this year were so amazing... and rookie class of 2005, congratulations! and you all better be back next year!