Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick TYler
As for the Georgia Dome, it's FRC land. I would rather be next door in a larger FTC facility, with more intimate seating and a shorter hike to the pits. I see a day when the FTC and FRC qualifying are both done on Friday, and Saturday is dedicated to the Eliminations for both programs in the Georgia Dome -- with equal billing given to FTC. I think the smart people in FIRST recognize the need for a $1,500 alternative to FRC, and that the high school students in FTC are going through the same kind of process and getting the same benefits as FRC. Giving us our own venue with four divisions or more, and having eliminations in front of the big crowd in the Dome on the same day as FRC is the best of all worlds -- and would allow FRC to continue growing too. I would rather have 400 FTC teams in Atlanta than be in the Georgia Dome.
But that's just me...
|
Unfortuantely, I am torn with this subject. While I still support 1 FRC team and volunteer at 5 FRC events, I support more than 3 FTC teams and volunteer at 12 FTC events. I absolutely love this program for its hands on engineering expereince by all the members of the team and the best part being, all for a relatively low cost. I see this program not only as a great stepping stone into FRC, but also as an excellent platform for a competition in and of itself. The program just seems a little bit more closer and personable than FRC (atleast when I announce and emcee at the events, that is). One of the things that I didnt enjoy at the Georgia Dome this year, was how separated I was from the audience ... and the lack of audience. Whenever I would ask a team where thier team was in the stands, they would always reply "oh, they are all at the FRC field right now" (this was even during the FTC elemination rounds when FRC was still in qualifications). Unfortunately, if we move it to the GWCC, I feel as though much of the presence we did have out in the stands would be gone, because people would have to walk even further to go from the beloved FRC stands to the bastardized FTC stands. I feel as though FTC would get even less exposure from not only people inside FIRST, but outsiders as well, as people would have to go a little bit further out of their way to see what the program is really about. Right now, it allows passerbyers to atleast see the program and a little of what it has to offer to the students, mentors, and volunteers.
Though I am intrigued by having the FTC split into multiple division in the GWCC, with only elimination rounds held at the dome (if a bit more prestiege was given to the alliances that made it there). By holding it in the GWCC, it may create a much closer nitch within the program, allow for the programs expansion, and give a similar feel and expereince as an FRC event. However, with that, you go into the issue of entirely setting the fields up and tearing them down for the FRC elimination, which is not something you can easily do in under an hour (combined time and definitely excluding match play, which im not sure FIRST would be willing to allocate).
Though without going into specific politics or bringing certain names in play, FIRST has so far exhibited some behavior of considering this program the ugly step child of FRC. This behavior wasnt as profound this year as it has been in the past, partly because FTC is an official intermediate program now (or due to the ... small spat between IFI and FIRST and trying to retain as much of the program as they can, away from IFI), but I still do expereince this mentality first hand.
I will also throw in my two cents on this subject as well. The Georgian Dome simply cannot handle 8 fields. It is not because of size constraints. Yes, you can
squeeze 8 fields on the floor, but you create a logistical nightmare for the event coordinators, A/V crews, and volunteer coordinators, who keep the event running, looking, and sounding as good as they do. FIRST is currently looking at other venues to hold the event for next year, partly because they look at all options on the table, but also because we've basically outgrown the GA Dome! (I cant provide any further information).
Right now though, I just hope the political split between FIRST and IFI wont damage either the FTC or FRC programs too much and create a system similar to the "no child left behind act," FIRST style... which I am starting to see signs of...
Hope to see most of you guys next year. Night.