Role Model Teams

[Karthik]

When it comes to how our team runs, Team 1114 has always looked to the teams we consider role models. These teams include 254, who inspired our collaborations, 67, who we consider the role model GM team, 71 & 111. It has been our goal since the outset to achieve the same levels of consistency, success, impact and reputation as these fine teams. It is no coincidence that these 4 teams have been the most successful teams over the past 8 years. More than their trophies, these teams have inspired us.

My question to all of you is, which teams do you consider role models, and why do you look up to these teams. Use this thread as an opportunity to thank the teams who have inspired you.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Karthik

When it comes to how our team runs, Team 1114 has always looked to the teams we consider role models. These teams include 254 who inspired our collaborations, 67 who we consider the role model GM team, 71 & 111. It's been our goal since the outset to achieve the same levels of consistency, success, impact and reputation as these fine teams. No coincidence that these 4 teams have been the most successful teams over the past 8 years. More than there trophies, these teams have inspired us.

My question to all of you is, which teams do you consider role models, and why do you look up to these teams. Use this thread as an opportunity to thank the teams who have inspired you.

Well every team that exist in the FIRST HOF is a good starting point.

[Bill_Hancoc]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

Well every team that exist in the FIRST HOF is a good starting point.

I agree

[sanddrag]

I'd like to give a shout out to the teams who think that they are great but nobody else even remembers their number. The teams who can say "I know we are a great team even without everyone else saying so."

[Not2B]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

I'd like to give a shout out to the teams who think that they are great but nobody else even remembers their number. The teams who can say "I know we are a great team even without everyone else saying so."

Those are my favorite teams...
Doing their thing...
That's what I want to be like...

[JackN]

I admire several teams for many different reasons.

I like Wildstang for the way they continuly build really cool robots year after year. They always have a very interesting design that does very well. They also inspire their students to go on in the future.

I like The Thunderchickens for the way they build a great program with a ton of students. They are a large team and make some strong machines. I am glad that they won this year.

The Killer Bees and Pink are respected by me for a different reason. They are some of the most reconizable teams in the world. They build innovative machines that win and win and win. They have been partnered together several times and it makes sense. They are very similar teams.

Beatty, The Cheesy Poofs and The Las Guerillas make this list for yet another different reason. If you are looking for a recipe for success (Sorry HOT) look at these three. Not only have they built some of the best robots of all time, they are also all winners with a combined 23 regional wins and 5 national championships. They produce students ready to face the world and start other teams I.E. Beatty and the many teams from there. They all are Chairmans Award Winners in my book, 469 should be anyway.

These teams along with many others have inspired me in my many travels of FIRST.

[hoorayforpink]

personally I look up to 180 seeing them compete cheer and just overall everything they are an amazing team

[santosh]

Teams I look up to...
47: After reading your teams history on the official team site, i immediatley felt inspired to try and gain more recognition for our team and for FIRST in general and to spread FIRST in our community
71: I mean come on, is an explanation really neeeded...
180: Your ability to strategize is just plain ridiculous
341: Miss Daisy, you guys do so much to try and spread FIRST and have a strong community base, something we are trying very hard to expand upon, and you guys are constantly helping other teams.
510: Your level of spirit and sportsmanship from what I have seen is something we should all aspire to reach
538: Your 2004 robot was the first FIRST robot I had seen in action and actualyl got me hooked.
1139: From what I have heard, the 1st and only Georgia team to touch Einstein. The Gatorade bottle agitator is my hero.
1848: Your abillity to put together a robot with less than 10 meetings all year, after being spread apart all across Georgia and being put together 2 weeks into the build season is simply amazing (I promise it wont happen again this year lol)
2train: The hardships that you have faced and still face coupled with your abilities on the field and your exemplary GP, IMO, is unmatched.

[Martinez]

Its hard to pick among so many great teams, but I have to go with 1511. They were (are) the model Rookie Team that all others should inspire to be.

[artdutra04]

Originally Posted by Karthik

My question to all of you is, which teams do you consider role models, and why do you look up to these teams.

Although there are many teams in FIRST who are successful and have won a plethora of awards, they might not always be the teams that I look up to as role models. Sure, I may love their transmissions or drivetrains, but IMHO, a role model team does not have to be a winning one (although it could be).

A role model team has the "spirit of FIRST" run in not only its veins, but also those of every member. A role model team inspires its students to work hard and aim to win. This team may not win much, but that fact only compels its students, mentors, and engineers to try harder next time. A role model team contributes something back to FIRST, whether it creates FLL teams, mentors FVC teams, shares its resources with other FRC teams, or actively promotes FIRST in their community. A role model team is always the first one to offer advice and assistance to another team in need.

[OZ_341]

There are many teams we admire such as 103, 236, 357, among others.

But one team that 341 has looked up to since we were rookies is Team 272 (Lansdale Catholic HS) the Cyber Crusaders. They are one of the best programs in FIRST and they teach their kids so well. This team truly has GP in the heat of competition.

Although they have been Regional Winners, Chairmans Winners and Woody Flowers Winners, they are not "Famous", their members do not spend much time on Delphi nor do they travel very far from home. But they were the first team to offer us help, to teach us how to fight through our problems and to show us what FIRST is all about.

This team wins consistently year after year in the place where it counts. In the hearts of their student crew. GO LC!!!

[Beth Sweet]

Well, I can say pretty confidently that 1504's main role model teams are definately the ones the helped us start up.

Gail Alpert and Las Guerrillas helped us out big time, with Gail coming through with help in sponsorship terms and Las Guerrillas bringing up their practice robot for the kids at Okemos to drive around originally. They also sent along promotional DVD's for the past 2 years to help us get new students and parents involved. Between their outreach efforts and their amazing records on the field, they are definately a team that we admire.

The HOT team also helped us out wherever we needed it starting up. They brought their machine up on the same day that 469 did, and also made all of our buttons for us our rookie year, among many other things. They are a Chairman's Award winning team as well as a team with fantastic on-field performance.

Team 33 taught us a lot, especially through the work and example of mentor Jim Zondag. Both my students and myself learned a lot about what we should try to do from him when at our regional our rookie year, he stayed until they threatened to turn the lights out, helping us make our robot workable. The Killer Bees are also a "killer" team on the field that we would like to be like.

So pretty much, all of these teams we (or at least I) look up to for the same 2 reasons: performance on the field, and, more importantly, actions off the field. If we can be like one of these teams someday, I'll be a darn proud Beth

[nobrakes8]

Although they were already mentioned under the "HOF" post, but I know Buzz has done a lot of small things during 1071's first two seasons and are a team that atleast us students and alumni wanted to model the team after.. Also 228 (altho 1071 was part of 228 prior to 2003) was critical to us when we first formed the team..

But everybody has a role model team and I think the teams that continue to stay in first year after year find that it's their responsibility to help mentor and be a model to new teams.

For example 1071 just donated their newly re-built 2004 robot to a pre-rookie on Thursday.. Hopefully in 3-4 years that pre-rookie will be a regional winning team and be a role model to another team and donate their robot and equiptment to another start-up team and keep the cycle going.

[Rick TYler]

Titan Robotics -- Team 492. Gracious friends, generous helpers, and steady promoters of FIRST in Washington. Their Chairman's Award at Portland this year was richly deserved -- even in a year where their robot didn't work as well as their magically-smooth (and very successful) 2005 robot. While TRC stands out around here, the Washington teams are all mutually supportive. We have our own email list and conduct a shared kickoff in January, where we all get together and wargame the new challenge. While 492 stands out, I also consider teams like 488, 1318, 360, 949, and 3-4 I'm forgetting right now to be good friends of ours. Despite the lack of big-budget sponsors in this region (oh, to have the financial support a lot of teams in other areas get) we have a growing FIRST community that cooperates off the field and has spirited competition on it.

If we could just get the PNW regional in Bellevue or Seattle every other year...

[Donut]

I've looked up to 330, 60, 980, and 987 as elite programs around our area that build great robots every year and know how to fundraise and build an effective program. I've always looked up to 64 (now 39 and 1013) as a great example of team spirit and how to make the FIRST competition so fun, plus they did help start our team.

But when I think about it, I've been most inspired by teams 80 (no longer in existence) and 696, because they've managed to do good and have fun while not winning very many awards and not being certain what will happen year to year about actually having a club. And really I get inspired by these type of teams every year, but these ones hit me hardest as I spent a good deal of time around them at the AZ Regional in my very first year in FIRST and were part of what made FIRST so exciting for me.

I hope someday we can help bring back team 80 as they're really right in our backyard (a 15 minute drive from us or so).