Quote:
Originally Posted by Adam Y.
I don't know about you but unless things really changed in five years you can count 95% of the people who participate in first as "informal and unprofessional".
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Here's an interesting thought:
I've sat in on different judges' panels during the off-season, in different parts of the US, in different years, and judges who are not members of FRC teams but rather, guests, often representing sponsors of the competition, start talking about a participating team, FRC 1902, Exploding Bacon. The name, the cheer - could be perceived as informal and unprofessional. Not a chance. The name is always seen as fresh, exciting, eye-catching. The cheer - fun, enthusiastic, infectious. The team - professional.
I've sat in the stands at many events and talked with VIPs - potential sponsors, politicians, school board members. Their eyes are focused on the competition and the attitudes of the partnerships between the students/mentors, the alliances, the teams working with/listening to the refs. For the most part, the teams represent themselves and the FRC program well at the event they are competing it - having a great time and showing respect for the game. The respect shown is the key towards reflecting professionalism.
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I'm not so sure that this game makes everyone a rookie. It poses a challenge and it is different in many ways but it does not detract from the experience of the veteran teams. As for the rookie teams in 2009 - unless the same materials are used in 2010, does this mean they will be repeat rookies? Or does it mean that in 2010, they will have had a year's worth of experience in FRC and that will help them adjust/adapt to the 2010 game challenge?