As a couple folks have already mentioned, some teams do seem to like using a team media badge to have an extra mentor or student on the floor. I personally spotted a few. I think it's unfortunate that teams choose to "cheat" like that, and don't even care to hide it (not carrying a camera of any variety). It's especially bad to see those with the badges with their hands inside the robot making adjustments. What does this say to the students on the team about playing fair?
Also on the topic of media: there was a lack of consistency amongst the divisions' fields and even volunteers in each division regarding where I could stand. By (I think) Friday, all FRC fields had drawn lines that the media and other spectators had to stand behind. However, there was inconsistency regarding what kind of media. I had a media badge with my name and company and was told to stay behind the line many times. Other times, a volunteer would say, "Oh no, you're national media, you can go wherever you want here." I'm still not sure which is correct, but to avoid conflict (some volunteers were less than GP about this) I stayed behind the given line, even if that meant getting less photos or having less angles to shoot. I understand that because I'm college-age I may be initially thought of as team media, but the badges are quite different in appearance.
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Originally Posted by Nawaid Ladak
1. Why not just give out a badge saying "+1" or "Extra" instead of labeling a badge "Media". These people could still be used as media, but can also be scouts, mechanics or coaches. I think this would solve the problem of people going out on to the field. Personally, i don't cre if you have a media badge on the field as long as i see a camera.
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If FIRST were to do this, no team would have media on the field.
I don't quite understand why the Dean's List ceremony took place at Centennial Olympic Park. There are a reason these deserving kids got the award, let them bask in the glory of having it being announced in front of the Championship attendees in the dome, just like having it announced in front of everyone at the regional.
With regards to open bids vs. only merit-based slots for teams: The open bids keep the divisions diverse. It also gives a team a chance to go who may not have qualified at a regional event. This can keep the students interested and excited in FIRST. If FIRST only allowed merit-based teams to register, I would have never gone to Championship in my years as a student, and I can say for sure that it was my first time stepping into the Georgia Dome that got me truly hooked. I wouldn't want to deny this to teams who are financially prepared, but can't quite win their way there.
With all that being said, it was a great event! Onward to St. Louis!
