I definitely agree that FIRST isn't meant to invade colleges with the idea of the college students competing. I think the whole point is to spark interest in the younger generations. Hopefully, by the time you are in college, you have had the opportunity (or many opportunities) to be involved and inspired through FIRST.
At this point you enter the mentor stage. We need college mentors: people who have (or have not) been through the program and can still bring ideas to the table, but instead of doing all the work themselves, get the chance to teach younger ones the skills you have acquired.
I don't know if it is true for all, but for me anyway, I learn and understand something better after I'm put in a position where I have to teach it to others. I think that this is what FIRST wanted. A succession of students, to mentors, to coaches, that will inevitably keep FIRST running at its best.
