[J Flex 188]

I am not sure I fully agree with this rule, mostly owing to the fact that our team has been around for quite some time now and has graduated a considerable number of alumni that have come back and helped out. In particular, our on-field coach went on to found his own company (which acutally employed me this past summer) bringing the FIRST experience full circle. In the past he has done award presentations with our team, but we always chose to have him in a supporting role, answer questions as opposed to presenting significant ideas. I think any team that submits a chairmans award understands that the emphasis should be on the development of the team and of the students that are currently on the team. Having an adult member present during the presentation does not take away from this if they understand what the nature of their presence should be in this sense.

I understand the motivation behind the rule and I do think that it is a good thing to place greater power and emphasis in the hands of the students for the chairmans award, but I believe this was the wrong way to go about it.