[jmu465]

Woodie always says "FIRST is NOT about the ROBOT..."

I agree with previous comments: there is plenty of opportunity in the other areas of the program--Chairman's, Woodie Flowers, animation, SWAG, Sprit, Imagery and community outreach. Two team schools always seem too focused on just the robot and forget about the core mission of FIRST.

In many ways a second team in one school is a terrible idea. Sponsor funding is limited. When incremental funding is available is it better spent on starting another team in a school that is already served? or a NEW team in a NEW school to introduce NEW students to FIRST and serve more students? To inspire more students to be science and technology leaders, I strongly feel serving more schools is better aligned with the Mission of FIRST.

Besides, are multiple teams allowed in any other competations? Band? Basketball? Football? Cheerleading? Dance Squad, Volleyball? No No No No No No. True, Male and Female leagues are common in sports, but I can see nothing about FIRST that would require parallel leagues.

JV teams are common to keep underclassmen interested in other activites. After a few years, plenty of spare hardware exists in the team to allow for JV builds. These JV builds can provide the hands on time needed to keep everybody interested has they prepare for their own Varisty years.

Finially, my experience leads me to believe that the best FIRST teams generally have a large diverse population with strong mentoring and solid community support. Pool your mentors, pool your community support and WELCOME every member of your student body to your ONE school team.

"FIRST is NOT about the ROBOT..."