[Rosiebotboss]

Originally Posted by Pat Major

As the number of FRC teams grows FIRST has become aware that the current FIRST model may not work if we had a team in every school. In Michigan, we already have three regional events and many Michigan teams still have to travel out of state to compete because our events fill up. Scheduling of the regional events is an issue, two of the Michigan events had to be back to back this year. If we are able to use high schools as venues, it opens many possibilities, including low cost events.

Well, first off, as much as it sounds good, there are many reasons there will never be a FRC team in every high school, I don't care what state you're from. Even if money was taken out of the equation, personalities and other administrator's priorities cannot be.

I understand you want to help out the rookies by giving them an opportunity to shake out their designs. I think it is unfair they get to play with their robots before a regional and after ship date. Do the veterans from MI have a different ship date than the rest of the country? I think not.

While it is noble of you to think of the rookies, it would be better to provide a stronger mentoring program from the veteran teams, maybe something like the Ask An Engineer program being run by Team 125, Northeastern Univ in Boston. How about running a pre-ship scrimmage on the Sat before ship that everyone can go to? (There are 2 in New England)

I believe it's not the robot that we are building here. It is the student we are building. I'll get off my soapbox now.