[Justin]

It is an intersting idea. I guess there has never really been an official 3rd place in FIRST at least as back as I remember. However this brings up another intersting item. The time issue, we've relegated pretty big awards (aka Woodie Flowers), cut out honorable mentions, some of the production, etc., etc. all in an attempt to cut time out of closing ceremonies. I find it interesting how teams are willing to give up 5 days, travel to Atlanta, and essentially sit indoors in the same seats for 4 days straight watching matches, but suddenly if the award ceremony runs 5 seconds too long it is the travesty of the century. Don't think this attitude prevails? Witness the stands emptying this year as Chairman's was announced. An hour or two out of 72 isn't to much to ask to make sure that people and teams the honored appropriately, after all we are there for the robots and to recognize the teams and people who have made important contributions to FIRST that is a lot of what championships are about...shouldn't the get their due without constantly having to worry about how long it is going to take, how much things will run over, etc.?

I guess that was kind of a rant, and I apologize if I stepped on any feathers but it is something that has been eating at me the last few years with the increasing production being put into championships.

-Justin