Michigan Teams at CMP

[Craig Roys]

I believe 107 spent most of the weekend in the top 8 on Newton field, but fell out at the end with a 7-2 record. Unfortunately, they weren't picked - only 4 QP's out of the #8 seed.

[Carolyn_Grace]

What was cool for me was how all of the Michigan teams/volunteers were cheering for each other. The district system has really helped foster a lot of friendships. We were keeping each other updated via text and running back and forth between divisions to watch matches as our roles allowed us. The district system truly allows teams to embody the Spirit of FIRST and Coopertition, and I can't wait to see if/how other areas of the country embrace this as they move into districts as well.

Was there a feeling of unity among the MAR teams as well? Is that developing?

[nikeairmancurry]

Originally Posted by Carolyn_Grace

What was cool for me was how all of the Michigan teams/volunteers were cheering for each other. The district system has really helped foster a lot of friendships. We were keeping each other updated via text and running back and forth between divisions to watch matches as our roles allowed us. The district system truly allows teams to embody the Spirit of FIRST and Coopertition, and I can't wait to see if/how other areas of the country embrace this as they move into districts as well.

Was there a feeling of unity among the MAR teams as well? Is that developing?

I think that with alittle more time that may develop among the MAR teams. 4 years of FIM has brought all the Michigan teams closer, plus with all the offseason events we have (IGVIC, MARC, Kettering and the one on the west side), we have so many chances over the course of a season to see each other. But from the Webcasts chatroom, it seemed that MAR teams were rooting for each other. As the Michigan teams were.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by nikeairmancurry

I think that with alittle more time that may develop among the MAR teams. 4 years of FIM has brought all the Michigan teams closer, plus with all the offseason events we have (IGVIC, MARC, Kettering and the one on the west side), we have so many chances over the course of a season to see each other. But from the Webcasts chatroom, it seemed that MAR teams were rooting for each other. As the Michigan teams were.

MAR teams definitely have a closer relationship with each other than before. Our team was rooting for 25, 222, 341, 365, 1218, 1403, 2016, 2180, 2590 and 11 (I wonder why), as well as 75 for Chairman's and 3142 for Engineering Inspiration.

[Zebra_Fact_Man]

I REALLY like the District model for a number of reasons, team-to-team intimacy being one of them, and believe other states/areas would benefit from trying out the format. Of course, I can't be certain because every region/state has it's own quirks and problems to overcome, but it has worked twice so far.

The one problem I see coming from a total district plan is losing the interstate travel and competition (seeing new teams & new places), but an easy quick fix to that would be to continue a handful of regional events scattered across the globe run as independent events (similar to off-season events) with Championship qualifications. Those who qualify via regional would just be passed over in the state rankings similarly to how they already do for teams who buy their way to St. Louis (I think they do this already? so there wouldn't be a problem).

[Clinton Bolinger]

There is nothing saying that if FIRST goes to a full district model, that teams would not be able to still travel. If a Michigan team goes out to CA, then they get the points that earn at that event.

-Clinton-

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Clinton Bolinger

There is nothing saying that if FIRST goes to a full district model, that teams would not be able to still travel. If a Michigan team goes out to CA, then they get the points that earn at that event.

-Clinton-

Or some similar scenario. Of course, there is one minor detail--FIRST isn't full district yet. (Give it time, and hopefully not too much of that.)