[J Flex 188]

I have watched this thread for a long time now and am quite pleased by the fact that collectively, people have managed to keep their tempers, egos and attitudes in check as we debate this thorny issue. That being said, please let me make one thing clear, that has already been mentioned by other members of CD and myself on several other occasions.

1114 is a Regional Chairman's Award winning team.

They have some of the most intelligent, most respected and most committed mentors in FIRST. Not only can you confirm that with their students, but you can ask virtually any Canadian or American team that has had the opportunity to play with them or work with them. They have a Woodie Flowers Finalist, Outstanding Volunteer and numerous UFH Awards to demonstrate this as well.

You do not receive any of these accolades without doing something right.

Perhaps oversimplification of this issue is a dangerous thing, as it may stifle what appears to be a frank and open discussion about this issue, but it must be made clear and understood that the Triplets and the Triplet model are currently not doing FIRST any harm. To anyone that says so, I point to the awards that they have received, the students that have spoken out on behalf of them and the fact that a corporate sponsor cares enough to make his opinion known on a public forum.

The Triplets play the game and play the game well. They play to win, as anyone else would and should do. They have more resources than other teams and sometimes that makes them the target of petty bickering and jealousy fueled comments. But I ask any of you to switch positions with them. Would you not be following their model in competition? Would you not be choosing what appeared to be the best fit for you? If you already won one regional event with them, would you not realize that you could work effectively with them and if given the opportunity, choose them again? FIRST should and is bigger than any petty arguing that you might overhear at a competition. Emotions are high, the goal of FIRST is higher.