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Re: Lesson Learned: The Negative
Once division finals were over for some reason all the lights in the dome were shut off. For the remaining 12 teams that went to Einstein we had to do all our repairs, system checks and match preparation in complete darkness. Fortunately we had a few people with headlights and flashlights but regardless it was still very unsafe and made it very difficult to fix any problems in a timely manor.
Another problem we had was by the time we got our pit cleaned up, tools packed and all the stuff back to our van our kids had about 40 min to enjoy the Finale (basically all they saw were the fireworks). This is the second time in the last two years that we have been to Championships that this has happened (both times we were on Einstein). I don't understand why we can't have the finale on Friday when all regionals have their parties. On Friday competition ends at 6pm which gives plenty of time and the students aren't exhausted from another day of competition especially the teams in finals. When people pay for something year after year and are not able to attend and enjoy it its kind of discouraging.
As for the volume of the speakers, I noticed someone from one of the teams with a dB meter going around the event recording volume levels. I don't know if anything came of this but when we asked our drive team to have the FTA turn down the volume they promptly did the next time our team was on the field. I do however agree that there needs to be something done about setting up the sound system. They need to setup the speakers so that the people in the front do not have to go deaf to so that the people in the back can hear.
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