[Steve W]

People are going on about the cost of the events. A lot of these costs are dictated by FIRST. We must use certain suppliers and meet certain requirements. I have suggested using other A/V companies to save money but we were told no. In other words, these events will not be the same as "official FRC" qualifying events. There are a lot of ways to save money but hands are tied. I have no issue with trying something new but why not let the regional events try and lower their costs. That said this has nothing to do with registration.

If Michigan teams get their first registration for $5,000.00 then the rest of FIRST should have the same benefit of lower costs. Everyone is talking about the high cost of events yet we will be subsidizing Michigan teams for their first event. Again the down side for Michigan teams is the increase for teams that want to go to Championships. They now have to pay extra to go to the State Championship, increasing their cost to $9,000.00 from the previous $6,000.00 but there is a greater chance of getting a "ticket" to allow them to pay for their Championship experience.

If there are all of these sponsors willing to donate to these extra events, what is stopping Michigan from having 1 or 2 more "Official Qualifying" regional events? There is no doubt in my mind that politics is playing a big part in this as you would think that VEX/FTC would have made a large impact in Michigan yet were barred.

Good luck Michigan, I hope for the best. I pray that this is not the beginning of the end to a great program in such a great State as Michigan.