[Mike Copioli]

Art this is an excellent post. I wish all teams had this perspective. Most teams have been in this situation at least once in their existence. This is true for our team. I remember my first year in FRC, 2001. I remember being that team that was "talking" with the number one seed in hopes that we would be picked in the second (and in 2001, third) rounds. That year two teams became the inspiration for us to excel. The first team was one that "did it all" their robot was able to reset the ramp, drive over it and balance both goals at the same time. They were simply amazing.

The second team was equally impressive. Their robot was called "Ramp Bot" and as the name suggests it was a mobile ramp that other robots could drive onto. It was so impressive I cheered for this robot even when we were losing to them. I think the KOP had about 13 motors in it that year and I believe they used them all. The design consisted of rivets and sheet metal in an aircraft like structure. It was an inspiration and is one of the reasons we use rivets today.

While the focus of this post may seem to be about two robots it is really about two teams and how their performance on the field is a result of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. Instead of making us jealous, the success of these teams inspired us to achieve greatness both on and off of the field. Instead of asking, "Why do they have all of this success?" We asked, "How do we get that good?". These teams continued to be an inspiration to both myself and our future teams. Year after year they were seen helping other teams to become successful in the pits and elsewhere. Without teams like these FIRST would die.

Success is not a bad thing. It is not something that should be dished out in equal parts to everyone in the eyes of fairness. It is something that is earned through hard work and achievement, dedication and perseverance. These teams elevate the Game and FIRST as a whole and their students reap the benefits. I hope some day that our team reaches the level that these two inspiring teams have reached.

Oh BTW, the two teams are Team 71 and Team 111 respectively