Posted by Ken Patton, Engineer on team #65, The Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.
Posted on 4/6/99 7:10 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Some reasons to go to more than one regional posted by Chris on 4/6/99 11:26 AM MST:
Chris-
I really hope its not the case that 'big-time' teams will scare away other teams. I always thought it was the other way around - that 'big time' teams will help to grow new teams. If teams make a big splash in their communities, more people get excited about what FIRST is all about, and more teams get going.
I think by having a good showing at regionals or nationals, there is a bigger chance that more students (especially those NOT on the teams) will be inspired to explore their interests in things technical.
I can think of many teams that got started or helped because of the efforts of 'big time' teams. How did your team initially hear about FIRST?
As to teams being discouraged by a high level of competition, I don't buy it. It doesn't stop too many lousy high school basketball teams from trying every year. In my opinion, thats because its not about 'winning.' Its about 'trying to win' and 'preparing yourself for success.' That in itself is why people will want to compete. Heck, you have Dave working on a miracle - that doesn't sound to me like someone who is going to be discouraged by good competition.
When I look up at the great FIRST teams its not all heavily funded monsters that I see (its some relative of a creature called Beattyjuice if you want to know the truth
). I think the success of teams on the playing field has more to do with the PEOPLE and IDEAS than it does with the sponsors' wallets.
I think you are placing too much emphasis on the effect of company size on team success. I agree that multiple regionals is an advantage, and that its funding that enables teams to go to multiple regionals. I wouldn't be opposed to a one regional rule. But I don't think its in the interest of FIRST until we have a thousand or so more teams. At the rate we are going, half of them will be in Michigan!
) just joshin you other states
If you want to read some of Dean Kamen's comments on this subject, I suggest you check out the link below to our website. Its a long article, but I think he drives home some points about why it is important to have 'big-time' sponsorship.