IRI Thanks

[Rob27]

Wow... another great IRI. A huge thanks needs to go to all of the host teams for running the event flawlessly. Thanks to the champions and finalists for some of the best matches I've seen all year. Finally, Team 27 would like to thank 47 and 33 for being amazing partners and awesome people.

[Chris Fultz]

Thanks to all of the teams who made the 2004 IRI such a great event. The finals was one of the best I have seen in a long time - right down to the wire!

AB thanked most everyone during the closing, but I want to add my special thanks to a bunch of people who made it a great event.

Libby and Andy - my co-coordinators. Each of us has strengths and contacts to make the IRI come together. This was a fun planning team.

Paul and Dan and Josh and DJ - what a great announcing team!

Comau Pico for the machine shop

Scott, Nancy Hoff and the Cyber Blue Parent Crew - the parent crew took care of Friday night dinner (did you know they cooked about 1100 sandwiches!!) and the hospitality rooms for the volunteers and judges, plus helped with field reset, T-shirt sales, check in, and lots of other jobs.

Team 393 parents - helped with check-in, shirt sales, field reset and lots of other jobs.

Team 217 and 447 and others - for taking care of breakfast on Saturday morning and delivering the carpet.

Wildstang for the awesome Human Player game

Everyone who performed in the talent show

Jessica B for the fantastic National Anthem both mornings

Amanda M for UFH, organizing the talent show and lots of other small stuff.

Tom, Ken, Brandon, David and several others for the scoring and field work.

Jason and Matt from 234 for the video work, and Perry Meridian for loaning us the equipment

Ryan the DJ

LNHS and team 1024 for the school, sound system, power, and concession stand.

All of the FIRST people who came to see the IRI and talk with us about how we do it, and how it works!

Collin and Jason for the work with the judges, trophies and putting together the awards slide show.

Jon, the photographer.

IPD and Channel 8 for flying in to let us climb around their helicopters.

Delphi and Rolls-Royce for sponsoring Scholarships for our 2004 Seniors.

Team 45 for the electrical work for the pits

All of the students who volunteered to be tour guides

The judges who gave up a bunch of time to be there Friday and Saturday

A fantastic referee crew

Students and adults from team 234, 393 and 45 who set up the field, took it down, reset it after matches and did just about anything that was asked of them.

All of the volunteers who came in from all around the USA to help. Field reset, scoring, team queing, tour guides, pit administration, and on and on

And, all of the teams and businesses who donated backpacks. We will get a final count and get them to the school. You guys are awesome - there are about 60 backpacks for 2nd graders!

I probably forgot someone - apologies now if I did - but just to cover it -

Thanks to everyone else, too!

Chris Fultz
IRI Lead Coordinator, 2004.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Wow, I could just quote Chris and be done with it

But seriously, thanks to everyone who made this IRI the best IRI yet. A big thanks to all the people who filled in on my job, especially Saturday - Clark Gilbert did a lot of the music you guys heard on Saturday, so a big thanks to him for filling in for me and letting me drive / hang out / scout for my team.

Congrats teams 71, 980, and 269. You guys were unstoppable.

Thanks to 45 and 447 for being some great alliance partners.

Another thanks to 45, 393, and 1024. Obviously none of this would've happened w/out you guys.

All the volunteers who flew in and gave up their weekend to be on the IRI Crew, or Judge, or Ref, or whatever - Thank you.

Again, thanks to everyone who made this possible.

edit: I'd also like to thank whoever changed my winamp 5 skin color, because I like this one even more.

[Sean Schuff]

Opportunities abound at the IRI!!

Opportunities to meet new people and make new friends.

Opportunities to see robots you may have missed in the regular season - some of the best out there for sure!

Opportunities to show others what FIRST is all about and how fun robotics can be!

Thanks to IRI for giving us these opportunities - and for trusting me to ref my first competition. I will not soon forget it!

Sean

[Paul H]

Most of my thank yous have already been said, so I don't need to type them again, but I just want to repeat the thank you to Comau Pico for the machine shop. We broke a main drive shaft in our first match. If it wasn't for the machine shope, we would be done for the weekend before it really even started. Instead, we were able to go in, weld it, and we only missed one match. I really can't thank Comau Pico enough.

Also, thanks to our partners, team 980, and our opponents, 47 and 111 for what has to be the best FIRST match that I've ever been a part of (our last match of qualifying).

And thanks to team 47 for picking us, and 27 for being great alliance partners and great pit neighbors all weekend. It's too bad the Oakland County alliance was ousted before we really even got started. Also, thanks to team 45 and 234 for that third match of the first round. That was so close...one ball! Great match!

Thanks to everyone who made this event what it is...the best event of the year. The talent show was a lot of fun, the dinner and breakfast were very good, and, as usual, the competition was fierce.

[Amanda Morrison]

My list of thanks.

Chris Fultz - For helping me with everything I needed, giving me leeway where it was appreciated, and being the guiding light of the weekend.

Libby Ritchie - For being open, honest, appreciative, and most of all, a pillar of strength for everyone. IRI is always a blast with you around.

Andy Baker - The star of the Kamens. Thanks for the effort you've put in.

JVN, Jess Boucher, Ken Leung, Jeremy Roberts, Jtosh Hambright, Ben 'Bean' Lauer, and Chris Noble - Thanks for giving me somebody to hang out with all weekend. Always a pleasure with you folks. I had a great time and an excellent birthday, and all of you made it possible.

Ricky Quininininininnininininnnininones from Oconomo-what?! - You are amazing and wonderful, and an inspiring FIRSTer. Thanks for your dedication, your knack at making things seem better with a hug, and moreover for letting me say that the GMD of FIRST is one of my friends.

Jason Morrella - Thank you for wearing a tie.

David Kelly - If I had a right-hand man, you'd be it. You have helped me with every endeavor, every venture, every committee and project I have ever needed help with, and still stand on the sidelines to support whatever I do. You're amazing, kid.

Brandon Martus - You are an amazing Slash, but an even better friend.

The group from Thursday night's Formal Dinner - Thanks to everyone who came for going along with Jess and my crazy ideas and planning. I hope everyone had a great time and had a little fun being silly and playing dress-up. Everyone looked rather spiffy... maybe it was all the ironing Jess and I had to do?

Dan Green - Your job is hard. Much respect for the play-by-play announcers... it's more difficult than you think. I'm glad I got the chance, I hope I did okay!

Tom Schindler - You took over the field operations without flaw. You even saved the day (and the Talent Show with the Kamens' act) when the scoring table set fire. You made me a promise - that the field would be ready to go at 9 pm - and you were done hours before that. Thank you for everything.

Big Mike - Thanks for being my goon bodyguard and taking care of some fools! And P.S. ladies - Big Mike knows how to DANCE!

Travis Hoffman, Goose, Maverick, and Team 48 - One of the sweetest birthday presents I received. It's good to know I'm still alive, too (I was worried! I still had a whole other day of competition left!). Karthik was there in spirit. I was crying, I was laughing so hard. Thank you so much.

Joe and Amy Johnson - Thanks for being good sports and putting on a great show. I'll be your Vanna White again any day.

To all the acts in the Talent Show - Thank you to the ridiculously hysterical judges: Jason Morella, JVN, Paul Copioli, Ken Patton, and Dave Lavery. Thank you to David Kelly, Tom Schindler, Meli Wheeler, and Cory McBride for helping get the field and music ready. Thank you to Linnea from 716 for doing an EXCELLENT job covering when we had a field malfunction. Thank you to the 1458 kids for swallowing other people's spit. A huge thanks to Andy, Ernie, Chris, Dave, and Brandon - you guys put 100% into this, and I hope you got 150% out. Everyone remember this: we signed the Kamens first!

Dave Lavery - The birthday present. It even SMELLS authentic!

Josh Hambright and DJ Fluck - For the birthday song on Friday. Now I have to come up with ways to get even!

All those who submitted for the IRI UFH Award - Thank you for contributing to something great.

Someone asked me on Friday 'why I was spending my birthday with a bunch of geeks' (jokingly, of course). I wouldn't have had it any other way. Surrounded by friends and respected mentors, your presence has made this the best birthday present ever.

[David Kelly]

This has been my absolutely best season ever in FIRST. This year, I have made so many new friends and I have had so much fun this year than I ever have had in the past in FIRST.

This is going to be a combo of IRI thanks and general FIRST thanks.

IRI coordinators: Libby, Scott, Chris, Andy. IRI has become the best competition in FIRST. The family type of atmosphere makes it that much mroe special.

Teams: IRI wouldn't be what it was if it wasn't for the teams that attend this event. The competition at this even is so much better than any other event in FIRST.

Team 234: This has been one of the best year's for the team and you guys defentally got some well deserved luck. I am proud to say I will always be a part of team 234.


Tom Schindler: I am so glad you were able to attend IRI. I dont know if we would have been able to pull through this event if it wasn't for you. We were able to update the TacOps and you got the system back up and running after the small fire we had during the talant show.

Ben Lauer and Jason Kixmiller: Congratulations on winning the IRI scholarships. You will both have excellent futures.

Jess B, JVN, Tom Schindler, Karthik, Jeremey Roberts, and many many many more people but I cant think straigit right now: This year is my first time to meet most of you. You all are awesome people and have been great friends. You are the future 'stars' of FIRST. You will be the ones to shape the next generation of FIRST.

Ken Leung: You're an awesome guy and a super friend. You are a very intelligent guy and always wear your heart on your sleeve. I would like to wish you luck on your future and whatever you wish to do in life.

Dave Lavery, Jason Morella, Michael Robbins: We are so glad you guys were able to make it to IRI. We appreciate your kind words about the event and it is always a pleasure to work with you guys. I hope and look forward to working with you all again in the future.

Brandon Martus: Thank you for all you have done this past year teaching me a lot about web design and all that. It has helped me a lot. It has been fun to work with you on several projects and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Amanda Morrison: With all the stuff you have to put up with, you are a strong willed and special girl. If your short time in FIRST you have done so much for your team and for FIRST. You deserve mad props for making the IRI talant show a HUGE success. Your work with UFH has been so impressive and means a lot to many many people. You are a great friend and an awesome girl-friend (hahaha, just a joke )




I have caught THE FIRST bug. Not the one you get in High School, the one that only a few special people get thanks to Andy Baker, Paul Copi-Oil, Dave Lavery, Jason Morella, Scott Ritchie, Dan Green, Joe Johnson, and many many more people.


I know I have missed many people but with 10 hours of sleep since Thursday, I am a little bit exhausted.

Thank you so much to all.

[David Kelly]

Also, i forgot to add Chris Noble. If he wouldnt have been able to get the UPS from work for the scoring system after it caught fire, Saturday would have not happened/ been tremendously hampered or delayed. Thank you Chris Noble!

[Cory]

I know I wont remember everyone to thank, but there are a few that really stood out to me that I wanted to thank.

DJ Fluck- Dude, you are awesome. You put up with me and Meli all week (Or shall I say we put up with her!). You drove us everywhere, you let us invade your house. Thanks for all the fun times.

Andy Baker- Thanks for letting two total strangers come hang out with you at your house. Playing tennis and riding segways and just hanging out was tons of fun. Hitting DJ on the segway with a serve should definitely be a professional sport! Im glad I finally got to meet you.

Everybody else who I met for the first time, or saw again: you people are awesome, and the reason why competitions like IRI are so great. I can't wait until next year, because I'm sure I'll be back!

Thanks for one of the greatest experiences ever,

Cory

Heres my list

Cory & Mel, thanks for coming and invading my "pad" I had fun even though there is nothing to do in this town as you learned other then go to walmart and play baseball....

Scott & Libby Ritchie, Chris Fultz, and Andy Baker- These people deserve a lot of credit for organizing this quality event and givng myself and Josh a shot.

Josh Hambright - Thanks for being an awesome MC along side. Amanda can't kill us now for her birthday embarassment Hopefully we can partner for a regional next year.

Paul "Copioil" Copioli and Dan Green - Thanks for the chance to work along side two pros such as yourself, hopefully this isn't the last time that I get to work with you guys.

Ben Lauer - Thanks for breaking my ribs when I tried to bearhug you after winning that scholarship. Oh congrats on that too

The Technokats - These guys have been great to me over the my last half decade with them. Its going to be odd next year not being in the shop.


Tom Schindler - Thanks for the fun again and you running the IRI field (no punches this time ) maybe I'll work my way up to BAE next year.


Amanda Morrison for organizing the dinner and talent show

Dean Simmons & The Kamens - Thanks for allowing me to show up for your sound test/jam session the night before

Im sure there are more, so ill add later

[IMDWalrus]

Because I'm not nearly as eloquent as some of the others who have posted here, and to avoid sounding like a broken record, I've only got two things to mention...

• Thanks to everyone who was at the event - the teams, the volunteers, the spectators...everyone. I know that I had a lot of fun while I was down there, and I'd love to come next year if I'm able to. As always, the event was made by the people at it...and just like in all other aspects of FIRST, the people involved were stellar.
• A special thanks to 393 and Libby Ritchie for giving us such a warm welcome. It was nice to see you all again, and it's great knowing that we've got friends down in Indy. I didn't spend as much time with you as other members of 818 did (I ended up sleeping instead of working on Saturday afternoon), but I enjoyed the times when we were together. Here's hoping that we'll be able to see each other again next year.

A bit more brief and blunt than I would have liked...but as I said before, I'm not a great writer. IRI was a great competition, and I'd love to be back next year, whether as a member of 818 or as a volunteer.

[MarciCochran447]

Silly me...I forgot a few more really important thank yous...

Randy Lam and his #1458 crew:
Dave, Chris, Eric, Paul, Dom, and Derek (the toothpaste people!)

Thanks for coming all the way to Indiana to experience this awesome event! I am sure it was worth your time!
Thanks for being gracious guests in my home and for making my team feel so appreciated. ...you guys are awesome!
We hope to see you at CalGames in September!

Another thanks to Carter Kizer for helping me with the "Media Tour Guide" group.

Thanks to all of the students who helped with the tours and gave up a two hour block of their time to be gracious hosts to visitors.

Another huge thank you to Libby, Scott, Andy, Chris, etc. for continuing to make this our favorite FIRST event every year!

...and Josh H. you are my favorite mowhawked person! Next time, bring enough of that stuff for all of us to do our hair!

IRI...holy cow!

[Brandon Martus]

Andy Baker, Libby Ritchie, Chris Fultz: Another great year. It's hard to believe that was an off-season competition put on by a few FIRST teams. FIRST is lucky to have people like you who coordinate events like the IRI. Mentors matches? Talent show? Backpacks for 2nd graders? You've just raised the bar.

Andy, Chris, Ernie, Dave: On top of being amazing people, you are amazing musicians. I'm lucky to have been able to play with you guys, the whole experience was a blast. Thank you.

Ricky Q and Team 269: Thanks for letting me be your human player in the mentor match. It was fun, exciting, and slightly terrifying .. I loved it.

David Kelly: Thanks for everything. Your advice on & help testing websites, your encouragement and advice about FIRST 'stuff', and most importantly your friendship.

Tom Schindler: Awesome job with the field. I was impressed. I don't think there could've been a problem that you couldn't get fixed.

Ken Leung: It's always a pleasure to see you, Ken. I'm still laughing about seeing you wearing Andy's Ozzy wig, dancing around at the scoring table.

Jess Boucher: It's been 4 years(?) that we've known each other, and this was the first time we've met face-to-face? You're a great friend, I'm glad you're back in this FIRST thing. [strongmad]HOORAY FOR BOX.[/strongmad] (hooray for cookies, too)

Amanda Morrison: The talent show was smokin'! The first annual IRI UFH award was a success. Keep up the great work. And, as always, thanks for being an awesome friend.

Jeremy Roberts: I'm glad that you made it up to the IRI. You're doing great things for FIRST down in Georgia, and it's always a pleasure hearing about it from you.

Big Mike: I had never seen the White Boy Dance before, just read about it. It was very entertaining. Almost as entertaining as watching Paul Copi-oil and Andy Baker run from your bear hugs.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a bunch of people. I'm sorry ..

[KyleGilbert45]

Wow....This years IRI was the best yet.

Thanks to all of those mentioned above and many many more that helped make this competition the competition it is today. After witnessing all five IRI's and being there to help with the past four, it sure was nice to just sit back and enjoy the show this year as a spectator.

It really seems like only yesterday when we were moving the 2000 field into the Kokomo High School gym to start the very first 2000 IRI.

Thanks again to those past and present that have helped make this one of the best competitions in FIRST robotics.

[Melissa Nute]

Thanks to everyone for this whole weekend - those that planned it, set it up, worked it, and everything. I would list people but at the risk of leaving someone out, I'm not.

This was my first time coming out to IRI, I'm sure it isn't going to be my last.