Well, if it is dealing with the word
cue, it may be that there are "ringers" that a robot must get onto the up-standing cue sticks or get "cue balls" through a ring shape with a "cue stick" that the robot has to hold. which would make it kind of like hockey. WPI is home to hockey, baseball and football.
So, you end up with your "cue sticks" (hockey sticks), your "cue balls" (baseballs[though probably tennis balls will be used]), and your goal, which may be in a circular shape (like a ringer), instead of the squared u in football. However, the goal may be in the squared u shape because of the q (17th in alphabet) or e (17th in hint quote). If we are talking about an M, it is being "held" in Massachusetts.
But, those are just my thoughts.
I can't wait until we actually know!!!!