I have been trying to write this post for the last day and a half. Everytime I think I have it ready, someone writes something better.
This entire season so far has been incredible. As an engineering mentor/scout/strategist for 67 the last 4 years, I would walk around the pits observing robots and watch matches from the upper deck looking for advatages and tips that I could give to our drive team and coach.
I would be envious of some of our other mentors that knew people on other teams and would interact with them, while I stood there listening and observing.
Now that I have been given this great opportunity to coach for the Heroes of Tomorrow, I am getting an entirely new experience at each and every competition we attend. The opportunity to meet and work with such "greats" in the FIRST community, like Ken Patton and Paul Copioli, has been a great honor to me.
The way that these guys inspire and lead not only their students, but all the students and mentors from other teams is amazing.
Thunder Chickens - 217: Your robot is amazing! The driver skill and patience displayed each and every match to wait for the perfect time to unload 20+ balls into an opponents trailer is awesome. You guys are the #1 example for how to operate a turreted shooter this season. I know our students have loved the opportunity to cheer and root with you thoughout this season. Thanks for the pit decorations.
Huskie Brigade - 65: Your robot has been on my radar since I watched the Kettering webcast in week #1. As soon as I saw it in the pits Thursday morning, I could see the potential it had to be the perfect third robot. The only question was, how far down in the seeding order would we need to be for your team to be available for our alliance. Never did I think that you would be available to the #1 alliance with the 24th pick. That combination of scoring potential and defense should have been selected way earlier.
Paul Copioli: For the third time this season I have been luck enough to coach behind the glass with you. Your ability to step up and be THE LEADER among all the other amazing people we had helping us, is awe inspiring. If we are fortunate enough to get into the same division, I will be hoping we can do it again. If not, I know 217 will be on Einstien...hopefully we will execute well enough to compete against you.
Ken Patton: You are definitely too humble. Your comment to me that we were making you feel too old to compete with us younger coaches is completely invalid. Your attention to detail and execution was exactly what we needed.
Karthik, John, and Tyler: We apprieciate all the compliments about our robot and the additional strategy assistance that you all provided. I can't wait to get to Atlanta to see all of your great robot designs.