[GaryVoshol]

When the District concept was presented, there were 16 geographical districts defined in Michigan. It was recognized that with 60-odd places at EMU - the biggest event venue in the state - that the traditional method of 6 teams qualifying to Atlanta wouldn't work for advancement to the State Championship - as soon as we got to 10 district events, there wouldn't be any "wildcard" spots open for any point structure.

With an increase in teams next year similar to what happened this year, we will have to have an 8th district event. Depending on how many teams register, there will again be somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 open spots for teams to attend a 3rd event. Of course the economy could change everything.

Teams knew going in that the third event would not count toward state qualification. If a team wanted to compete in Week 5 and have that event count, they had to go to only 2 events. Just like traditional regionals are apportioned through the season so the field equipment and volunteers can be rotated, so with districts. Somebody has to be first and somebody has to be last. Often site restrictions and availability dictate when an event can be run - either it has to be a certain week or you won't get that site.

I applaud 216 for the great strides made this season. Unfortunately it just didn't work out for them and other teams that are just below the bubble, unless now some other teams have the even greater misfortune to not be able to afford State.

I think the district concept has pretty much proven itself; the wonderful things I expect to see next weekend will just confirm that. Sure, there are tweaks that need to be made. Every team should submit a thorough and thoughtful evaluation. The organizing committees need to know how to make even better events next year. And the rest of FIRST needs to know whether and how to implement more district structures around the country.