I'll say it, even though I said it probably six times at Monty. I am SORRY that 1676 did not get to turn on their robot, and I'm also sorry that team 11 wasn't done in time. I was TOLD that time-outs were being cut down to five minutes, so that decision didn't even come from the refs. The biggest problem was 1403 had a deadline they needed to be out of the gym by, and were cutting it dangerously close.
Even as the five minute time out dwindled down, 1676 was asked numerous times, by numerous refs and volunteers to turn on their robot so we could start the match. George even announced it over the audio system. It is unfortunate that they had not turned on their robot, I wanted to see that match as much as anyone, but the fact of the matter is, there was a time to do it, and they didn't. I hated to sit there and say "sorry, no rematch." It really ate my heart out, but EVERYONE was being pushed yesterday, including the referees.
We tried to make as many breaks as we could. We were EXTREMELY lenient on penalties, and even after ramming penalties were discussed, we did our best to just WARN teams rather than punish them. In all fairness, Monty Madness is an off-season. It is about having FUN, not about who is right and who is wrong. But if there is anything I have learned from being on a field, it is that the referees decisions are FINAL. SEVERAL refs told me about 1676 and from there we were forced to start the match. Somehow the drive team heard the "get to your controls" announcement I made, so I don't know how they missed the five before it. Still, I'm sorry for what happened.
I'm really proud of the GP at this competition, A LOT of teams gave up timeouts to help out other teams. Wicked. Also, I really appreciate Libby, Conor, Joe, and Elgin's remarks. I had a great time at Monty Madness, and I was pretty sure that's what it was all about.
Oh, and Kev Shaw, stop looking so emo!