Student lettering in FRC

[Hallry]

I know numerous teams out have tried, but how many teams have successfully gotten varsity letter recognition from their school(s)? If you're one of the ones that has, how did you do it/what process did you have to go through?

[Tommy F.]

Our team hands them out after 2 years of being a dedicated member and keeping your grades up to par.

I'm not too sure what my mentors did to get to the point of handing out varsity letters, but I know that we do get awarded with them.

[Taylor]

I hate to be :that guy: but please search (although it won't let me link to it here, typing "robotics letters" into the search feature brought up dozens of fantastic threads about the subject thanks Jason). There are lots of threads discussing this and white papers available explaining the processes used by various teams.
Good luck and see you in St. Louis!

[Jon Stratis]

Yes, our team hands out letters. We have a fairly involved set of requirements in our team handbook outlining what it takes to letter. Essentially, it comes down to one item: Be actively involved in the team. You have to be on the team for two years, meet attendance requirements during the build season, attend competition events (not all, but a reasonable mix of regional, champs, and off-season that allows for other circumstances like family plans or trips with other school groups), attend our summer/fall off-season program, and take on some sort of leadership role on the team (with leadership being loosely defined - we've found leadership spots for everyone that's wanted one so far).

Make up a list of requirements that shows your school you're serious about it, and serious about making lettering at least as challenging as in other school activities. Build your case with the number of hours put in and the reward to both the student and the school from the program.

[davidthefat]

The criteria for our team is to be Junior or Senior and not a rookie. One must have had a significant impact on the team that it is noticeable to the others around them.

I got my letter, I cherish it more than my football ones.

[Chexposito]

We've had them since we started, if i remember right, so 6 years so far.

[Red2486]

Does any one know the actual process of how their team got a Letter? Or who they had to go through (i.e. Principal, School Board, etc.)? My team has previously worked on getting one, but have not followed through. I was hoping to start the project back up again this year. Any help would be appreciated.

[Hallry]

Originally Posted by Red2486

Does any one know the actual process of how their team got a Letter? Or who they had to go through (i.e. Principal, School Board, etc.)? My team has previously worked on getting one, but have not followed through. I was hoping to start the project back up again this year. Any help would be appreciated.

That's what I was really asking, how did you get the school to approve giving out varsity letters to robotic kids?

[fuzzy1718]

My old team got robotics recognized a year ago. It took a lot of convincing, a school board member, who is also quite involved with the team, at bat for us and a hooked on FIRST superintendent.

[billbo911]

This might answer the OP's question.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/21626

[staplemonx]

We think Robotics should be a full blown sport.
http://www.atomicrobotics.com/2011/08/considered-sport/

Do you think a varsity football player is going to solve climate change or cure cancer? I bet a varsity robot design might.

[BX HANNAH]

Originally Posted by Hallry

That's what I was really asking, how did you get the school to approve giving out varsity letters to robotic kids?

I know this response is a little late. However, hopefully it's still relevant! Or hopefully you already are getting varsity letters at your school!

I worked to get Bedford Express (1023 from MI) varsity letters during my sophomore year (2008). I actually started in my Honors English class because we were asked to write a persuasion essay on a topic we were very passionate about. Most people chose abortion, gay marriage, lowering drinking age, etc but I chose something I was really passionate about-how FIRST students deserved just as much recognition as the athletes in our school. I gathered as much information as I could (Other teams requirements, how the letter impacted the students, how the principal initially felt, impact on FIRST on students/communities etc). I even worked with my coach on designing the letter. We also had to present to the class which I was nervous about because I figured the students in my class wouldn't support me. After my presentation, the students in my class were APPALLED that the FIRST team didn't receive sport recognition. My teacher and my coach encouraged me to try for varsity letter recognition and for the first time I actually felt like we could get it.

After that, it was just a series of presentations. I proofread my paper a million times and presented it along with what I thought the requirements should be in addition to my presentation. I started gathering other teachers who supported me, and then I presented to the principal. He was supportive of the program, but not sure it warranted a varsity letter. My coach and I just kept talking to people... the athletic director, teachers, other coaches, school board members. And I kept talking to my principal. We also made this video and used it to present to administrators: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8-CVg0QAyg

Eventually, we got through to them and Bedford Express has been giving varsity letters to students who fulfill our varsity requirements for two years.

PM me if you need anymore help!

Biggest piece of advice, get to know your administrators and make sure they know what FIRST is!

[Debbie]

Originally Posted by BX HANNAH

I know this response is a little late. However, hopefully it's still relevant! Or hopefully you already are getting varsity letters at your school!

I worked to get Bedford Express (1023 from MI) varsity letters during my sophomore year (2008).

PM me if you need anymore help!

Biggest piece of advice, get to know your administrators and make sure they know what FIRST is!

Additionally, we have a page on our website dedicated to helping teams get varsity letters. Much of what Hannah said is there. We also are collecting teams that award Varsity letters on the website so that you have a collection of resources. Also, some of the CD threads are linked there. http://www.bedfordexpress.org/varsity

Any teams that give letters are asked to please add your website to our database so that we have a solid resource. We are working at publishing team requirements there as well, but have not finished that part yet.

Good Luck!

[cmrnpizzo14]

Team 3173, the IgKnighters, currently hands out varsity letters to all members from McQuaid Jesuit high school on the robotics team. We unfortunately cannot get letters for any of the members from other schools yet. I can give you a team contact if you want to know more about our process for getting them.

[Ravage457]

Hello Chief Delphi Community

I know thier is a thread about how some teams were able to get their respected schools to allow the robotics team to get varsity letterman jackets and if anyone has a link to them please post them here.

I was also wondering how do some teams set thier requirements for thier students to recieve the letterman jackets. Do some teams do a point system, or a certain requirements like attend a number of regional events

So my question is, what requirements do teams use to determine who gets a letterman?