First off I'm not on a team any more. I graduated and have no intention of working with my team in the coming year (but that's internal team politics and you don't need to worryy about it). If I go it will be as a volunteer. Even as I say that though I look at my prospective schedule and that seems very unlikely.
I greatly enjoyed going to every competition that I attended (10 competitions under my belt) and the 3 nationals will always be the greatest in my mind. I think that most people here will agree that realistically Nationals were just getting to BIG. If it were my decision I'd work it like this.
a. All former Chairman's Award winners AND finalists - I think all these teams, even the finalists, have given alot to their communities and deserve the spots.
b. All prior National winners and finalists - this is hard, it takes a truly top-notch team. I think they deserve a permanent spot.
c. Prior year National Divisional winners and finalists - they had it last year, I think they deserve a shot at the big time regardless of current year performance
d. Prior 2 year Regional Winners -same
e. Prior year Regional Finalists -same
f. Prior year Top Seed Nationals -same
g. Prior year Top Rookie Seed at any event - just because I like to support rookies that did really well
h. Current year Regional winners and finalists - duh
i. Current year Regional Chairman's Award Winner - same
j. Current year Technical Award winners at Regional Events - same
k. Current year Regional Top Seed - because I've seen some great teams not win regionals
l. Current year Regional Rookie Top Seed - give them a shot at the big time. after they did that well as a rookie are they really rookies anymore?
m. Teams with 3 or more points. 1 point for each of the following
a. current year rookie team - that's right a point just for being a rookie
b. previous 2 year judged award winner any event- this give alot of veteran's a bunch of point
c. previous 3 year regional winner or finalist -same
d. previous 3 year regional top seed -same
e. previous 4 year national top seed -same
f. current year regional top 15 seed -to fill spots and help the rookies
g. current year any other official award -same
I think that adds up to ALOT of teams. Of course I'm not in charge. That's just what I'm pulling off the top of my head. My final would probably be very different. You'll notice that I left out the original teams. I figure that if they can't qualify under these rules, that definitely favor veteran teams. Then they probably don't need to be going. More would probably have to be added to fill in the balance, because I just don't like the even/odd first come-first serve thing.
Just my opinion.