[Andy Baker]

The Kokomo, Indiana kickoff is doing this:

We are having a playing field. All of the on-field components will be built per FIRST's specs, but by a third party who is not a FIRST team. This third party will build these components without divulging any information to any FIRST teams in the Kokomo area. This third party will deliver these field components to the Technokats team shop on the day of the kickoff in Kokomo, right after we are finished viewing the satellite broadcast.

Not all remote kickoffs are necessarily going to be the same. Each remote kickoff has different facilities and capabilities with different people running the show. We are receiving direction from FIRST, but none of us are getting any money for our efforts. So, if there are differences between remote kickoffs, that is just the way it is going to be.

The advantage here is obvious... many teams will save money by not having to travel out to NH for the kickoff. Also, more people on your teams will be able to see the fields or field components if their respective remote kickoff will have them. Keep in mind that FIRST is still allowing teams to send 2 representatives to NH, so each team still has good opportunity to see the field.

Andy B.