How do you recognize teams?

[rachelholladay]

I can generally recognize people by team number better, although that can probably be mainly attributed to lots of research of team websites. I only know a team's location by what regional they compete in (if that). For example, I know the HOT Team 67 and Killer Bees 33 are from Michigan because they compete in the districts. However I have little idea where in Michigan.

Originally Posted by rsisk

I have trouble remembering team numbers above 2000 or so. Heck I even mix up my team number sometimes and have to stop and think about it, usually transposing the last two digits.

I too must confess that I have trouble with teams over 2000 (and over 3000 is worse for my memory.

I suppose a follow-up question to this one would be in what order to people identify themselves? Team (number) (name) or Team (name) (number). I normally say Team 1912 Combustion but my friends down the way say Team Fusion 364. Is one style more common / preferred that the other?

[JosephC]

I always introduce myself as a member for FIRST Team 68, Truck Town Thunder. During alliance selections, 68 generally says we would like to invite "Team XXXX, [Team Name]".

[LeelandS]

I usually bounce between number and name/nickname, depending on context and who I'm talking to. Sometimes it's just a preference.

For example, if I'm talking with someone who will recognize the team either way, I stick with preference.

Examples:
-Did you see Code Red triple at FLR?!
-1507 is a shooting machine!
-Stang' (Wildstang) is on fire
-Congratulations to Simbotics for winning the Chairman's Award

If I'm talking with someone who is less in tune with FIRST teams, I use strictly team numbers. Occasionally, I will use the school or location if the person is even less in tune with the teams (i.e. The Ithaca Team, McQuaid (for 3173), Nazareth (for 2340 before the Academy closed)).

I know too many teams, so I can't keep a set way of referring to them.

[JonathanZur1836]

Team name, number, colors, and logo are really important. The number is the first thing that people see, but after that, the team name, colors, and logo help create a memorable image.

[KelliV]

Numbers all the way.

When I first started I remembered team names, I hated numbers, I remember coming home to my mom and telling her "thank god my team number is 111, it's so much easier to remember than 217". I spent the first year I was on 'Stang learning team names, and then the next year everyone changed their names on me and I had no idea which team was which. Now I just remember the team numbers, followed by their locations.

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Most teams are numbers to me- mostly because when I'm in school and spewing random numbers, I feel like I'm talking in some secret code

[Jay O'Donnell]

Originally Posted by Flak-Bait

Most teams are numbers to me- mostly because when I'm in school and spewing random numbers, I feel like I'm talking in some secret code

And we wonder why the football team thinks we're weird...

[Brandon Zalinsky]

Originally Posted by Jay Money 1058

And we wonder why the football team thinks we're weird...

well then, I guess they're just another set...



of tools.

YYYYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH

[EllaElectrical]

For me, I normally use the numbers. It depends though because lately I've been looking at team websites so I know them by that. At competitions I remember them sometimes by mascot, and uniform or their chant.

[kiasam111]

When it comes to Australian teams, its much easier to memories their location, compared to their team location, or (for most of them) their non existent team number (nearly all the teams only attended our off-season event, the Duel Down Under and didn't register with FIRST). So we know them as "Team Melbourne" or "Team Tasmania" or "The St Mary's Team" or "The Adelaide Team."

When it comes to regionals that our team attends in the US, it's usually team colours that stand out for me. As for teams recognising us, we're usually just "the Aussies" =P

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by rachelholladay

I only know a team's location by what regional they compete in (if that). For example, I know the HOT Team 67 and Killer Bees 33 are from Michigan because they compete in the districts. However I have little idea where in Michigan.

I can one-up you on that. Milford and Auburn Hills respectively. Now if only I knew where in Michigan these places were

[Rangel]

I typically associate the team number with the team name. Makes it easier for me to recall them. Now that I'm finally getting the hang of remembering teams that are over 2000, I have 3000 and not to mention the rising 4000.

[Karibou]

I usually recognize teams either by their name or number, but I often have issues putting the two together unless it's a team I hear of/see regularly (i.e. HOT/67, Killer Bees/33, Juggernauts/1). If I don't know both, I can usually at least remember the general location. 343 is from NY, Los Pollos Locos is from SC and sponsored by USC and their number is some combination of 2, 8, 5, and 1.

Then there's the occasional team whose sponsors I can remember, but not many (Finney Highlanders, Motorola/Wildstang, GM/Simbots/a variety of others).

For most teams above 3000, I usually recognize the logo first before I can remember their name and actual number.

I usually introduce myself by former team number, then I give the team name. I don't know why I do that, since people usually remember my former team's name before the number, but that's how it goes.


TL;DR, it varies greatly and there are a lot of exceptions.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Karibou

If I don't know both, I can usually at least remember the general location. 343 is from NY, Los Pollos Locos is from SC and sponsored by USC and their number is some combination of 2, 8, 5, and 1.

Not quite--343 (Metal In Motion) is from Seneca, South Carolina.

Though it's funny you put our digits that way--this year, we (2815, Los Pollos Locos from Columbia, SC) shared Archimedes with 2851 (Crevolution, from Sterling Heights, MI). Never has an alliance selection been more painful for us than hearing "Teams 2590 and 1218 would like to invite team twenty-eight-fif-tee....one".

(And note how Kara refers to the University of South Carolina as USC. We'll get the world straightened out someday! )

[Karibou]

Originally Posted by Billfred

Not quite--343 (Metal In Motion) is from Seneca, South Carolina.

#!@%$, at least I was on the right side of the country! Clearly, I'm not as good at this location thing as I like to think I am.