M.A.R.C. 2011 INVITE LIST

[Bjenks548]

Originally Posted by J_Miles

It's only a question of whether it will be with or against . Oh, and regarding your signature: how about all of them?

We're into tardec, but hopefully we can meet up at IRI and Kettering Kickoff to. Maybe get the Galileo team together again at some point?

[XaulZan11]

Any updates on rule changes?


Also, I think next year you should keep registration open until after IRI announces their invititions. I think there would be several teams that would apply to MARC if they knew they wouldn't be going to IRI.

[P.J.]

Gary Voshol (I hope I spelled that right), the head ref, has some rule changes worked out, he's just waiting to post them. And they're good, trust me.

[Steve Ketron]

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

Any updates on rule changes?


Also, I think next year you should keep registration open until after IRI announces their invititions. I think there would be several teams that would apply to MARC if they knew they wouldn't be going to IRI.

I already had to turn teams down without waiting for IRI to make their cut. Why should I wait for them? MARC is before IRI so if they want to come then they should register. If they make our cut and don't want to come then they can turn down the invite and I can pick a team from our waitlist.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Steve Ketron

Why should I wait for them?

Because many teams want to go to one and only one summer off season.

[Steve Ketron]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

Because many teams want to go to one and only one summer off season.

Again, register for both and if you get into both remove yourself from the one you chose not to attend. Both IRI and MARC have waitlist that I am sure teams on won't mind moving up.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Steve Ketron

Again, register for both and if you get into both remove yourself from the one you chose not to attend. Both IRI and MARC have waitlist that I am sure teams on won't mind moving up.

IRI has no waitlist.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Steve Ketron

I already had to turn teams down without waiting for IRI to make their cut. Why should I wait for them? MARC is before IRI so if they want to come then they should register. If they make our cut and don't want to come then they can turn down the invite and I can pick a team from our waitlist.

I just think that if you want to have the biggest, more diverse pool of teams to pick from, I would keep registration open for a couple of days after IRI announces their teams. I know one team that thought they would get into IRI, didn't and then wished they applied to MARC. Of course they could have/should have applied to MARC beforehand, but they didn't. I think you could get a couple more out of state teams apply if they get their hopes up about competeting again, don't get into IRI and thus apply to MARC.

[nikeairmancurry]

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

I just think that if you want to have the biggest, more diverse pool of teams to pick from, I would keep registration open for a couple of days after IRI announces their teams. I know one team that thought they would get into IRI, didn't and then wished they applied to MARC. Of course they could have/should have applied to MARC beforehand, but they didn't. I think you could get a couple more out of state teams apply if they get their hopes up about competeting again, don't get into IRI and thus apply to MARC.

I would agree... I can't see where holding off to the week after IRI invites teams would hurt... Yes MARC is early, but there is still a month until the event and I would say that isn't a bad time to anncounce a team list either..

espiecally since IRI doesn't have a waitlist...

[P.J.]

None of your arguments really hold water, I agree with the apply to both policy. IRI may not have a waitlist, but MARC does. So if you make it into IRI, you can turn down MARC and another team will take your place. However if you don't make it to IRI, then you have MARC to fall back on. I really don't see a problem with this system

[Koko Ed]

I don't see why MARC is obligated to serve the rejected teams of IRI when it's a whole month earlier. They have an event to run and they need to make sure everything is set by the time IRI has made their decisions. You snooze you lose plain and simple.

[Steve Ketron]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I don't see why MARC is obligated to serve the rejected teams of IRI when it's a whole month earlier.

I agree with you. My only obligation is to put on a very well planned out event and make the event as fun as possible for those who attend. I believe the crew that we put together does a very good job of accomplishing this. Besides if you all need to know, I scheduled it this way to give teams as much time as possible to prepare for MARC. This time is used for teams to schedule payment (if you go through the school system, then you need lead time) and prepare changes or repairs to their robot.

IRI is an awesome event, but I think MARC is also an awesome event in its own right. As the event planner, I would not be doing MARC or its participants any justice if I wait each year to see want IRI is doing or teams invited before I make considerations for MARC. I understand that IRI has teams from all over the land that are specially invited to compete. This invite is based on this years performance and their past commitment to IRI and cost's a whopping $650 to compete. I started MARC, because there were very few events that teams in our area could afford (cost/travel expenses). I wanted a low-cost event that gave teams that are financially struggling an opportunity to get more time for next year. That was my goal and I am sticking to it. It just so happens that MARC is very fortunate to have some extremely well organized teams that come and help run the event and help other teams out. This is another reason why Michigan FIRST is becoming really strong.

We at MARC yearly put on a very competitive event and if your team wants to have fun and compete in an excellent field of teams then apply. I believe we all know that your team had to be very special to get into IRI. If you apply to IRI on a "hopefully we make it" mentality, then you should probably apply to something else also (Just in case you don't get in). Something I always tell my team, with high risk comes high rewards but also a higher failure rate. It is a high risk to get into IRI if you are not one of those special teams, therfore it is highly likely that a good team during the season is likely not going to be invited.

I hear a lot of people talking how MARC is becoming a mini-IRI. I think this is a huge compliment for all the teams that consistantly come to MARC. If you look at that list, a lot of them (my team included) would not be invited to IRI. I believe MARC is a very competitive event without the excessive cost or hoopla of all teams that won trophies during the season.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I don't see why MARC is obligated to serve the rejected teams of IRI when it's a whole month earlier. They have an event to run and they need to make sure everything is set by the time IRI has made their decisions. You snooze you lose plain and simple.

I guess I don't view it as helping the teams that didn't plan ahead or taking IRI's rejects, but having more out of state and teams that typically wouldn't apply to MARC so more teams can experience MARC and take advantage of another chance to compete at a low cost. If you want more out of state teams to apply, I would consider doing this.

One thing I like about MARC is the ability to play with Michigan teams that we can't play with anymore due to the district system. So I don't mind having 41/48 of the teams being from Michigan. But, I can certainly see how a Michigan team would like more non-Michigan teams after a potential 3 events already with some teams. I was just offering a possible solution to help fulfill this want for more out of state teams.

[Brandi]

Is there a detailed agenda with starting and ending times for Friday and Saturday?
Will there be a pig roast again this year, and if so, what are the details for that event?

[Ed Law]

Originally Posted by Brandi

Is there a detailed agenda with starting and ending times for Friday and Saturday?
Will there be a pig roast again this year, and if so, what are the details for that event?

The agenda can be found on the FIRST in Michigan website here.
http://www.firstinmichigan.us/FRC_20.../marc_frc.html
I don't think there is a pig roast this year. I think they are planning a movie or something.