[Joe Johnson]

l believe that FIRST has done a pretty good job striking the right balance between the logistical realities and the idea that getting to the Nationals should be an honor.


As to particular objections, my main one is that the even/odd business is not particularly clever in that it is sure to be changed in 2 or at most 3 years given the growth rate that FIRST has historically had.

As to normalizing points for the number of regionals, I think this is making much about a little. I think that FIRST more or less set the 5pt line based on the number of teams that that allowed to qualify, not on some number handed down from on high.

If FIRST were to normalize the points for number of regionals, this would not really change matters much, except in a handful cases I suppose that the same teams would qualify after FIRST re-normalized the qualification point total to give them the same number of teams.

As to normalizing for number of teams at a regional, again, this is a lot of bother for a little benefit.

As to not giving the Founding Teams a lifetime ticket, again, this is much about little. There were only 10 such teams left in 2001 -- I can live with them having a lifetime slot.

As to Chairman's Award Winners, for me this is FIRST finally beginning to put their money where their mouth is. If the Chairman's Award is the most important award they offer, as they often say, then this is a good start toward making it a reality.


As to not counting the Nationals in 2002 because it gives the Even Teams too big a break, I think this falls under the Tough Rocks category. Yes, the even teams will be slightly more likely to qualify for the Nationals in 2003 but this is not going to be a big deal.

If you are going to get your undies in a bunch about something thing about this: In 2002 there will be say 150 slots at the Nationals to be filled by the approximately 300 Even Teams that did not meet the qualifying criteria. In 2003 there will be 150 slots for the Odd Teams (assuming that FIRST rejiggers the qualifying point totals so that this many slots are left unfilled), BUT there will be over 400 Odd teams that will not meet the critera. The numbers get even grimmer in 2003 but this time it is the Even Teams that will feel like their ox is being gored.

There are other particulars here and there, but again, I want to say that I think FIRST did a pretty good job with a difficult task.

Joe J.


P.S. If any doubt that FIRST will change the criteria in 2002 for making the Nationals, look at the wording of the message from Bob Hammond:

"The following qualification process will be used for teams attending 2002 FIRST Robotics Competition Championship:"

Think about it...