Changing a team name

[Steven Donow]

In the past, 223 was called "Zaiders", a combination of two of the high schools the team was affiliated with. In 2002 I believe(or so a pamphlet from that year that I found tells me) they changed their name to Xtreme Heat, and image which has kept up through the flame pants. It's one of those image things that makes us instantly recognizable

[Chris Hibner]

If you want to keep the name and be funny, you could change the emblem to put Buddha or some guy in a yoga pose in the middle of the Ohm symbol. I would laugh pretty hard at that. It may take a while for people to catch on, but it's good when you get it.

[anyheck]

team mho ℧ (or siemens) for the disagreeable people on the team...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siemens_%28unit%29

Or maybe a recursive acronym. Those are most fun.

[Duke461]

Originally Posted by Borobo

I don't know about you, but I generally feel that the whole theme of pirates, ninjas, chickens, etc. has been entirely played out, not just in a first setting, but just in general. I like ohms, it feels more original of a use, and the resistor code thing is really cool. I would caution you not to change to something like ninjineers, because in a few years, it's just going to feel dated. if you really want to change something, keep the ohms part, but I really think you have a good name already.

Agreed. I absolutely love my team name, Westside Boiler Invasion, because its kind of hard to say what it is. You can't hold a boiler invasion, and you can't really visualize it. But it definitely sticks out more than the usual "tech-gear-guys" or the "Ninja-monkey-chicken-bots".
I like a name that has some incorporation of Ohms, OP, but if you really want to change it, nows the time. You could do something with the region you're in, ex. Westside is the "slang" name of our school west lafayette high school, and we are right next to Purdue University, the Boilermakers.
If you want some inspiration, run through the team list on the blue alliance.Try to go for something unique, like 16 (Bomb squad), 449 (The Blair Robot Project) or 51 (wings of fire). As great as teams are like 148 and 118, team names with "robo", no offense, are getting quite old. (But obviously at the time of creation of their team, "robo" wasnt too old yet.)
Good Luck,
-Duke
P.S. If i got to choose your team name, i'd go "Electromotive Force". Its got a cool ring to it.

[James Tonthat]

When we were changing our team name, we were looking at lot at how our team would grow from being recognized on a local level to a national level. Our name before the change was "Northside Roboteers" which didn't make sense once we got to Champs. "Texas Torque" is our new name and at least places us on a geographic area.

We had a lot of good and bad history with Northside Roboteers, a couple bad years, then a couple good years but we decided that our team would be a lot more recognizable with a name change. At first there was a bit of "I remember you being called something else last year" from other teams but this year, I haven't heard anything about it. Our team is actually a lot more united, a lot more team pride, alumni support is higher since they identify with it more.

A lot comes with a name and I think what made a successful name change for us was a good name, cool logo, and some good performance.

Good luck with your name change, I hope I was helpful.

[Bill_B]

Originally Posted by Chris Hibner

If you want to keep the name and be funny, you could change the emblem to put Buddha or some guy in a yoga pose in the middle of the Ohm symbol. I would laugh pretty hard at that. It may take a while for people to catch on, but it's good when you get it.

Chris, I was thinking of the Preying Mantras and their chant. O-o-o-o-o-hmmmmmmmmmmmmm! Resistance might still be futile, who knows?

[EricH]

You could always try adding something catchy to "Ohm" to make the name stand out. The list below should get you started...

--Outlaw Ohms
--Ohm's Lawyers
--Ninja Ohms

Then you come up with a catchy slogan/motto, a memorable logo, or something similar. Think of what 1902 did--unique name, very unique chant, and cool logo. Now they're known all over the place. OK, so they do have pretty darn good robots, but what people remember them for is the "Oink Oink BOOM!" chant (or their name, or logo, or orange-and-white shirts).

[Sayrah]

Jane Young asked for the Bacon story, so here goes. Now I wasn't actually present for the event, buy my son was as were several of the others who read the forum. They can correct me or fill in the details if I get them wrong, lol.

Team 1902 formed late in the registration period for the 2005-2006 season and had several members and mentors that had participated in FIRST before so they knew the importance of image and marketing. The name that was the top runner from the candidates was Organized Chaos (which by the way, would have been a very fitting name for the personality of the team, lol). During a team meeting at the Austin house, they sought the wisdom of the internet and found a team random name generating website. The first name generated was the now infamous Exploding Bacon. At the time, they laughed about it, pulled up a few more random names, but drifted back toward Organized Chaos. During the week one of the mentors that was present during the meeting, mentioned the random name generator and Exploding Bacon to her mother, an artist. Her mom drew the pig on the rocket and it was shown to the team at the next gathering. As the saying goes, it was all over but the chanting. The chant was the brainchild of Mike Walker the week of the Florida Regional.

Exploding Bacon was associated with a local high school their first year, but sought a 5013C umbrella outside of the public school system their second year. After consulting with 1501 and the 4-H agent in Indiana and Orlando, they became a 4-H club in Jan 2007 and the 4-H Exploding Bacon Robotics club was formed. The selection of the Exploding Bacon name and the pig on the rocket logo had nothing to do with being a 4-H club; must have been fate.

While a cool name, I can't imagine what a logo or a chant would be for Organized Chaos. There really is a lot to be said for putting some thought into your team's name and logo. Oink Oink...

Sarah

[Ryan Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Sayrah

While a cool name, I can't imagine what a logo or a chant would be for Organized Chaos. There really is a lot to be said for putting some thought into your team's name and logo. Oink Oink...

Sarah

Leader- 3...2...1...
Group- "Incoherent yelling"
Leader- Good!!!! Next verse
Group- "Team #"
Leader- Common get it right!!! Next Verse
Group- "Incoherent yelling"

[Chris_Elston]

Originally Posted by Sayrah

The selection of the Exploding Bacon name and the pig on the rocket logo had nothing to do with being a 4-H club; must have been fate.
Sarah

Naw...I don't view the name as "fate". I think what is MORE IMPRESSIVE, is the fact that 1902's team number is the year 4-H was founded. And you can even buy 4-H Bags with 1902's number on your bag.

http://www.4-hmall.org/Product/clubs...otes/CSGS.aspx

That's "Fate"....

[Al Skierkiewicz]

How about "Ohm's Law"?!?

[JesseK]

If you ever think a name is dumb or silly, think about this.

Back in 1976, I'm pretty sure that the 3 kids who named their company after a fruit were scoffed at, made fun of, and otherwise ignored. Now they have one of the highest market caps in the history of the stock market. The brand is so easily recognizable if someone randomly said the name you'd wonder whether they were talking about the fruit or the company. While many people disagree with their philosophy on products (I don't think they're the best products 'ever') most would agree that their recent business strategies around their brand are dead-on correct.

Honestly, you could name your team "Orange" or "Banana" (I think Apple isn't allowed at this point...); the name itself has nothing to do with the drive, motivation, and eventual success you'll have.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Sayrah

Oink Oink...

BOOM!


Thank you, Sarah. (If one were to follow 1902 for a year, the documentary that would result would be an explosion of organized chaos.)

Jane

[Ryan Himmelblau]

Actually back in 1992 our school district's team was named the MotoCats and it was based at wheeling high school. It wasn't until the team died for a year and then was picked up at rolling meadows high school that we became Wildstang. All in all I think Wildstang sounds waaaaay cooler than Motocats. If you don't like the name you have right now there's no shame in wanting to change it, just try to find a name that everyone on the team is happy with and that you can continue to use for years to come.

[Triple B]

The Pink Team was originally Space Coast Robotics.
Seems we have always been known as The Pink Team and then in 2006 when we helped start a team @ Space Coast High School and it was only logical for them to be Space Coast robotics, we officially changed our name.
In 2008, Team 1875 found their own identity and changed their name to Purple Haze.
I personally like the "Ohm" thing.
mike d