[Kims Robot]

Its an interesting day in FIRST when we have TIME to complain about the Announcers/MC's...

I'll agree there is more than one catch phrase that I cringe at when the volume is turned up way too loud at champs... but then again I can't stand Emeril's BAM!! either.

I didnt get a chance to watch a lot of webcasts this year, so I guess I missed the bizzare outfits, but I happen to know several announcers & MC's and my husband fills both roles at the Clarkson FLL/FTC tournament.

For all of you suggesting "go complain to the regional committee" I would say go a step further. Get to know one of these crazy announcers or MC's. Find them at a competition and introduce yourself... JOIN THEM FOR DINNER... I am constantly shocked at with all the fanfare they get, they often head off to dinner alone, eat at the hotels/whatever. Go get to know them. I've known Steve as long as I have been in Rochester, and he helped us get the Ruckus off the ground! We still joke that our friend's bathroom is still covered in hairpaint from the hours he spent doing his hair in the morning. And I wish half the guys I knew had his sense of style - he matches his HAIR to his shirt!! Most guys I know cant match their pants to their shirt! JonDarr has done FLR for the last several years, and is a phenomenal announcer, did anyone know he also works for NASA and has put together some amazing educational programs??

I'm amazed that we have such dedicated, excited role models all over FIRST that help Announce & MC our events. Sometimes they get a bit theatrical... Dave riding in on a motocycle, Blair rollerblading across the field... Woodie repelled from the ceiling... That these crazy engineers and scientists can grab a microphone and help us understand the game as well as be inspirational role models to our students is awesome. They dont have to go hire some washed up ex-football player to announce our games, we have REAL engineers running our show!!

Again, I haven't watched every event or webcast, so maybe I'm fortunate enough to have missed all the condescension, because in my 15 years I have never seen it.

More of a novel than I intended to write, and I will agree that we don't need to make this a show for 3 year olds all the time, but we do need to make it fun and exciting for all ages, not just those of us who are already entrenched and hooked. If loud music annoys you, bring earplugs, if bright hairspray annoys you, bring sunglasses, if enthusiasm for engineering annoys you, ask yourself why you are here.