[rspurlin]

Given that you expected the robot to perform when you placed it on the field, yet it has failed during the match, how can you or FIRST be certain that if you take your controls to the field, you can drive it off? Is this honor reserved for those who exhibit the symptoms listed above, or is it available to those robots that threw a chain, roasted a CIM, had a battery become disconnected or otherwise stopped working during the match?

I mentor a team. I know how much time, effort and emotion goes into the design, construction and operation of the robot. Is it possible that there is some team that has worked just as hard as you have and didn't get picked to play in eliminations?

If I might, let me suggest that we remind ourselves of our mission and celebrate the accomplishments of all teams, not just the competition winners or elimination participants.