[Ryan Dognaux]

Just a few things here -

For some people, it's easier to put time into their team if they have an attainable goal in mind. Winning an award is not a bad thing, but doing things just to win the award is. Getting a medal in recognition of the hard work and effort you've put into your team, even if it only is a participation medal, is not a bad thing. I have my medals from my four years in FIRST hanging on my wall. I love mementos like these. I didn't do sports in high school, the only other thing I could really get a 'medal' in was orchestra contest. I'm extremely proud of the medals I have; they represent everything myself and all of my other team members have done.

I say keep the medals. Keep the large number of awards. People deserve to be recognized. When a team wins its first award, it is an amazing feeling. I would think you would want more teams to feel this than less teams every season.