[sanddrag]

I hope this post doesn't go unnoticed in this large thread.

My main suggestion for improving the Championship next year deals with the FIRST Finale on Saturday night.

As a member of an Einstein team, I was very disappointed that we did not get to participate in the Finale party. By the time we finished matches, awards, closing, and packed up our stuff into the robot crate and van, we only barely had enough time left to catch the fireworks. It takes some of the fun out of doing so well in the competition when you arrive at the party to find there is no more food, no more drinks, everything closing, and everyone leaving. We felt like "this looks incredibly fun. I think next time we might as well not bother trying to win, because you forfeit all this." Either the Finale needs to go until midnight (with food until then as well, at least for Einstein teams) or there needs to be a separate gathering (until midnight) for the Einstein teams.

I absolutely loved the ban and enforcement on banners and flags being brought into the dome. When people are anxiously trying to see every detail of every match, it is simply rude how many teams park a flag or banner right in front. Seriously people, have some respect for those sitting behind you.

I didn't really think the ban on bottled water entering the dome was proper. Affordable access to water is (or at least should be) a basic human right. Bottled water should not be monopolized at this type of event. It shouldn't take someone being poor, not being able to afford the dome's water, being denied their own, and passing out on the floor for dehydration to make someone realize that people need water without restriction. Let us take it in. We aren't going to buy your $3 bottle of water even if you don't let us bring in our own. It's just absurd. It doesn't do anyone any good.

Another thing, let us all remember that Dean's homework was to get media attention this year. While wearing my media pass on the Dome floor, I was repeatedly singled out and hassled (on the border line of physical harassment) by certain FIRST officials, when I was causing no trouble and they clearly had other more critical responsibilities. This is not at all proper. When teams spend as much as they do in this competition, they ought to have the right to a) see it, b) photograph it, and c) celebrate it (as mentioned above). For any official or volunteer to pull rank on the teams and spit out a "this is the way it is and you have no recourse and we'll throw you out if this happens again" is not a good thing for the future of this program. This program exists and succeeds in large because of the teams. They know what they are doing. Welcome them, listen to them, respect them, consider their complaints, suggestions, and ideas.

Finally, something needs to be done about the saving seats issue. On Friday morning, I encountered three students saving an entire two rows, aisle to aisle. I show up with only myself and my bag, take two seats total, am told to move, tell them I will if and when the rest of their team comes, and to my astonishment they moved my things moved for me and I got an the evil stare for the rest of the day. I was in disbelief. There is no reason single or a handful of individuals should not be allowed a close seat when dozens upon dozens are empty.

If you want the seats, put your people in them. Otherwise they are up for grabs. End of story.