[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

2. If you are against adult coaches, but agree with the mentoring mission of FIRST, then I feel that you don't understand what all Ken is saying above.

And I think Ken is robbing student coaches of the chance to meet and work with students on other teams. In eight years of Scouting and four in FIRST I've really enjoyed watching young people develop maturity, character, confidence and communications skills. Allowing students to coach gives them a unique chance to internalize these things rather than just being inspired by sitting in the stands watching an adult do them.

I thought this horse had been beaten and put away. I'm still in favor of of a big-tent approach to the role of adults in FIRST, and I don't feel like I fail to understand any of this. Disagreeing with Ken on the use of adult coaches does NOT mean that I don't understand, it just means that I disagree.