[BB] Bills Blog 07/08/11

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

Exactly. Whats the point of competing if you get nothing to bring home lauding your success? I thought the kids came first? Just being there isnt enough. Schools recognize coming home with a trophy.
When they shrunk the trophies a few years ago it was a mistake. I cant believe that for all the registration money collected this is the best way they can find to cut costs.

Maybe FIRST should look into better trophy suppliers than taking this direction.

Originally Posted by XaulZan11

If we are talking about efficiencies, giving out two trophies is NOT efficient as some (most?) teams won't 'use' both trophies. Perhaps FIRST should give out 1 trophy at the event but allow teams to order the second one at a discounted price or free. This way teams that want the second trophy (to give to sponsors) can still get it while FIRST doesn't have to pay for the second trophy if its just going to sit in a box.

FIRST does already allow teams to purchase additional medals, trophies and banners here: http://www.usfirst.org/uploadedFiles...order_Form.pdf

I am completely up for FIRST trying to watch its money, and I do recognize that the number of teams that don't maximize use of the second trophy for whatever reason is non-zero. If it absolutely had to be an either/or situation, I'd say cut the second trophy.

That said, and I'm commenting to this effect on Bill's Blog directly, why not re-examine the design of the trophy from top to bottom? The current design is definitely not the original, and I imagine we as a community can come up with a set of trophies that improves upon the current in cost, weight, and/or durability without making them less visually appealing. (How many freshmen have not held it by the base?)