"The 24" - Off-season Idea

[ghostmachine360]

I'm in to referee, or emcee; whatever is needed.

[EricDrost]

I'd be there in a heartbeat.

[EricH]

A couple considerations:

Batteries. I would suggest that any team hosting such an event clean out the local supplies of FRC-legal batteries long enough in advance to charge them. Then all the attendees bring all their batteries and chargers. Any batteries the hosts don't want can be distributed to teams who need more after the event.

Quiet/Sleeping rooms or other arrangements. Some folks will want to sleep, at some point, and probably want someplace somewhat comfy to do it in. I'd suggest some rooms off to one side, out of the way, probably at least 4 (2 for adults, 2 for students, and separate male/female rooms for both age groups). This will also simplify some of the logistics for teams running rotations.

Would I personally be up for doing it? Possibly. But I do run out of awakeness after a couple dozen hours or less.

[sanddrag]

As a 12-year participant and now lead teacher of our team, I'd pass on this. 5 years ago, I'd probably be there, but now, I like at least a few hours separation between my days.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by sanddrag

As a 12-year participant and now lead teacher of our team, I'd pass on this. 5 years ago, I'd probably be there, but now, I like at least a few hours separation between my days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qh2sWSVRrmo

[Sam_Mills]

This sounds like it could be one of the most fun offseasons possible, I would definitely be in.

Only concern, people who haven't slept in days should not be using power tools or anything like that. There would have to be a prep day or two, to minimize issues with doing things last second.

[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by EricH

A couple considerations:

Quiet/Sleeping rooms or other arrangements. Some folks will want to sleep, at some point, and probably want someplace somewhat comfy to do it in. I'd suggest some rooms off to one side, out of the way, probably at least 4 (2 for adults, 2 for students, and separate male/female rooms for both age groups). This will also simplify some of the logistics for teams running rotations

There are a number of places in the Morgantown area in which we could host such an event that have hotels nearby or even in the venue itself. Other venues have rooms in which we could set up cots or mattresses. If use a hotel, my idea would be to block out a couple rooms as a part of the registration fee. If we go the high school route, there are areas in which to sleep, including two separate gymnasiums, a cafeteria, and a lobby, as well as a hotel a couple blocks away. The university stadium has a number of places like this as well, with a couple hotels in walking distance. And this is a really safe city (especially the areas we are considering hosting) so there would be no need to stress over walking a couple blocks in the middle of the night. There would definitely be some kind of sleeping arrangement made. The idea would be to require teams to think out their sleep rotations on the fly around their match schedule.

Those of us more hardcore competitors will just have lots of coffee and mountain dew and tough the entire thing out

[JediMasterSaaga]

This sounds like a great idea.

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by ghostmachine360

I'm in to referee, or emcee; whatever is needed.

Can you do queuing and field reset too, all at the same time?

Cause I don't think you're going to get too many other volunteers. Working 8-10 hours is brutal enough.

[Chris is me]

I'd try something like this but if this actually existed in my area I'd have no idea how to sell it to parents, other mentors, etc.

I hope no one would try / need to operate power tools while sleep deprived.

[Gregor]

Originally Posted by Chris is me

I hope no one would try / need to operate power tools while sleep deprived.

You mean like a robot?

[A_Reed]

As a referee, I would have to say no! Only because by the end of the day on Friday at a normal event I am already beat. The judgement, comprehension and patience of the referee crew would be paper thin by morning matches the next day.

[Tom Ore]

Originally Posted by A_Reed

The judgement, comprehension and patience of the referee crew would be paper thin by morning matches the next day.

Could make for some funny video to watch later - everyone involved would be getting pretty loopy.

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by A_Reed

As a referee, I would have to say no! Only because by the end of the day on Friday at a normal event I am already beat. The judgement, comprehension and patience of the referee crew would be paper thin by morning matches the next day.

Suspend all rules requiring refs (no penalties). Honor system.

Also, no bumpers, just because.

[ken3255]

I'd be all for it. Where can I sign up?