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Responding to above-
If this is truly going to be a National Championship it should not have any accommodation for any team other than those who have proven themselves to be viable this season. No team should know they are going to Florida until they win this year. That way all can face the nightmare of trying to transport 30-40 people across country on 3-4 weeks notice. It sure seems like "the old favorites" have all the bases covered and an unfair advantage.
This whole change seems to be simple "downsizing" of FIRST, much like big business lays off thousands when they downsize. Ask the American workforce how that feels.
After years of wholehearted support of FIRST and busting a gut to faise funds for the Nationals trip this year to be told that we may not be going on the week of registration is a hard pill to swallow. Yes, they did proclaim a need to do something about the Disney size problem. But on the same token Dean has publicly stated that his goal is to get every Fortune 500 country as a sponsor. How do you promote growth while downsizing the program?
The Orlando experience is a main reason kids get interested in FIRST. Sorry but the prospect of taking a team to a second regional in some northern city in March where there is nothing to do during leisure time is not a happy prospect. What do I tell my seniors who have been working hard for their Fla trip and now may not go because we are an odd number team?
The solution is finding a larger venue, not settling for a smaller competition.
My still angry 2 cents
WC
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