A List of IRI Thanks

[Kevin Kolodziej]

Like everyone before me, a HUGE thanks to all that helped organize, set up, and run the 2003 IRI. A FIRST class event yet again that will be hard to top.

Thanks to the judges for allowing me to be (I believe) the first person to ever win an award at a FIRST event without actually competing in it (and extra special thanks for the dramatic fashion it was done in...and to Erin for the hug when accepting the award).

Thanks to Paul and Dan for being a great announcing crew. Special thanks to Paul for bringing back the memories of the 2002 IRI finals...but at least you prevented a repeat Also special thanks to Dan for the Raul impression...that may very well be the standout moment in my mind.

While on the subject of Raul...and Wildstand...thanks to Team 111 for making me feel so welcome in and around your team. Keep me in mind when you do get tired of that spare robot...and Raul, let me know if you ever do want to throw me in as a human player!

Thanks to the Westside Boiler Invasion #461 for being the best friends a WildBeast could ask for. I really would have loved to drive the bot in competition...maybe another time.

To Team Hammond, for not hurting my father too badly by making him try to perform a cartwheel. Too bad you guys were doing so well in the qaulifying rounds...Sarah and I would have loved to come out of retirement.

To the Prank Monkeys #1020 for making my team look bad! J/K...glad to see your robot finally and see your hardwork pay off in the end.

And to Erin Rapacki, DJ, Jtosh, John, Amanda, Allen, Chris, Waldo, Fernando, and everyone else I have forgotten for making this one of the most memorable tournaments of all time - even without actually competing!

Kev