[FRC Blog] Frank Answers Fridays: June 7, 2013

[ehochstein]

Originally Posted by Mr V

Yet we are pushing forward in hopes of making the district model work this year after working to that goal since last season when FIRST wanted us to go to the district model.

It would be extremely helpful if you were able to document your process for accomplishing this!

I would really like to the see the Minnesota FIRST website adopt more of a firstwa.org look. We do not have to worry about FLL, as that is run by High Tech Kids in MN and FTC is a little complicated at the moment but I really like the volunteer signups you guys have as well as the alumni portal you have.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Wiifi

I would really like to the see the Minnesota FIRST website adopt more of a firstwa.org look. We do not have to worry about FLL, as that is run by High Tech Kids in MN and FTC is a little complicated at the moment but I really like the volunteer signups you guys have as well as the alumni portal you have.

If you (or anyone!) has any specific suggestions for changes, improvements, or new features for the http://mnfirst.org/ website, please let me know! I just recently took over managing the site (last week, actually), and am open to suggestions!

[akoscielski3]

Im surprised by the little to no talk of a Canada becoming a district (wouls likely be Ontario and Quebec). I have been told that we can expect a district in 2015, likely not earlier. I'm not sure how much closer or competitive we would become as we are already extremely competitive, and are already close (bonding and social wise).

I will be very happy to see cross districts, as we are 20 minutes away from the Detroit District but arent able to go there. The closest event for us (currently) is 3 hours away (waterloo and buckeye). If we were to get a regional or district here in Windsor I think it would be REALLY cool to see half the team Americans, coming here from mostly Ohio and Michigan.

I really like the idea soneone posted of having sone districts be closed for only that district and sone open for any district teams. That would probably make the open districts more diverse and have an even ratio of dostrict to non-district teams.

Sorry for amy bad spelling I'm on my ipod right now.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by PVCpirate

I think the plan is to make sure those teams have a regional that is accessible to them as a local event. I say this because in New England, we have several teams that have almost always come to New England regionals from the Albany, NY area. From discussion in another thread, I heard that these teams were not invited to join the district, but that an Albany regional has been confirmed for 2014.

It's tough because 20 has been competing in New England for 22 years- occasionally competing with NY teams (Finger Lakes '08, etc.), but now we can't.
Yes- there's going to be an Albany-area regional, but we won't be competing with most of our good friends from NE anymore, and we have to travel (actually even further than any NE regional we went to) to the Finger Lakes or somewhere else for our second competition.

Inter-district play can't come soon enough. I think it'll be interesting to see what happens when NY goes to districts (i.e. a bunch of districts on Long Island, one in Albany, and one or two in Rochester?)

What doesn't work well for NY is that teams aren't evenly spread across the state, they're tucked into little pockets. There are a TON of teams in the city and on Long Island, a large number near Rochester, and 10 or so in the capital regional near Albany. The rest of the state is sparsely populated with FIRST teams, those teams usually being near a college (i.e 229/4124, 639, etc.)
This spread of teams doesn't lend itself well toward district events.

[Tetraman]

Originally Posted by Thunder910

Inter-district play can't come soon enough. I think it'll be interesting to see what happens when NY goes to districts (i.e. a bunch of districts on Long Island, one in Albany, and one or two in Rochester?)

What doesn't work well for NY is that teams aren't evenly spread across the state, they're tucked into little pockets. There are a TON of teams in the city and on Long Island, a large number near Rochester, and 10 or so in the capital regional near Albany. The rest of the state is sparsely populated with FIRST teams, those teams usually being near a college (i.e 229/4124, 639, etc.)
This spread of teams doesn't lend itself well toward district events.

I actually think having some districts in the CNY areas will greatly help FIRST in NY. There are toooonnnns of school just waiting for FIRST teams, but don't have the support that Rochester/NYC/Albany have.

I'm guessing: 2 in Rochester, 1 in Buffalo, 2 in/around Albany, 2 in/around NYC, 1 in Ithica, 2 in/around up north and the champs at the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. (wishful thinking at least.)

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

I actually think having some districts in the CNY areas will greatly help FIRST in NY. There are toooonnnns of school just waiting for FIRST teams, but don't have the support that Rochester/NYC/Albany have.

I'm guessing: 2 in Rochester, 1 in Buffalo, 2 in/around Albany, 2 in/around NYC, 1 in Ithica, 2 in/around up north and the champs at the Carrier Dome at Syracuse University. (wishful thinking at least.)

Syracuse IS nicely situated between Albany and Rochester. ANd for most of the state, it's rather centrally located. However, it's a hike for NYC teams. I also know that many NYC teams don't have much funding, and going to three events (2 districts and the state champs) might be a lot for them.
The same can be said as an argument FOR districts, though- reducing the cost of doing events.
As it is, Long Island has a regional, and so does NYC. Replacing 2 regionals with 2 districts doesn't really work. I'd expect 4 or 5 districts there, 1/2 in/around Albany, 2 in Rochester, then one or two elsewhere in the state (Ithaca/Oneonta maybe?)


I don't know what's best for New York FIRST, but the way it is right now doesn't seem conducive to district play. The population center of NY First is still in the city, but having teams from Rochester travel to the city for the state championship wouldn't make sense. Traveling from the city up to Syracuse wouldn't make too much sense either. I suspect (and dread) that NY will be left out of districts for a number of years, and when they finally do come, either NY will have a greater FRC population density, or we'll be split into two districts- Upstate NY and Downstate NY. Downstate would include the city, long island, and the surrounding areas, and upstate would include the rest of the state.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

[Tetraman]

Originally Posted by Thunder910

Syracuse IS nicely situated between Albany and Rochester. ANd for most of the state, it's rather centrally located. However, it's a hike for NYC teams. I also know that many NYC teams don't have much funding, and going to three events (2 districts and the state champs) might be a lot for them.

4.5 hours isn't that bad of a hike but I know what you mean. However you cant please all the people all the time. Considering that Rochester folks travel a lot out of state (cleveland, boston, DC) I would think they are more willing to make a trek to NYC or Albany for a Champs than a NYC team would be willing to make a trek to Syracuse. Then again, I assure you we can fit Pits and seating for 70-80 teams at the Dome - all comfortably, and I'm not sure where in Albany you could find a venue (though admittedly I haven't looked) I'm sure it would be sweet to put the Champs in NYC, cause it is NYC after all, and having the Champs at, say, Madison Square Garden would be the biggest FIRST venue location since EPCOT (plus it could be televised on MSG). However I'm going to assume that College Basketball will boot us out of MSG, haha.

Originally Posted by Thunder910

I suspect (and dread) that NY will be left out of districts for a number of years, and when they finally do come, either NY will have a greater FRC population density, or we'll be split into two districts- Upstate NY and Downstate NY. Downstate would include the city, long island, and the surrounding areas, and upstate would include the rest of the state.

Anyway, that's just my opinion.

I wouldn't think splitting up NY would happen, even if it was a possibility. Unlike other states like California or Texas, New York is relatively speaking a short drive, and I think having The Empire State Regional sounds a lot more powerful than The Upstate New York Regional/New York City Regional.

If we were splitting up, and this is again wishful thinking that the logistics were simple, that there was a Niagara Region, with the Western/Central NY teams sharing some Districts with lower Ontario Canada teams. And the Eastern/Northren/City NY teams would side with the New England Region.

But having all of that back and fourth across the boarder would be a pain for teams.

[PVCpirate]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

I'm sure it would be sweet to put the Champs in NYC, cause it is NYC after all, and having the Champs at, say, Madison Square Garden would be the biggest FIRST venue location since EPCOT (plus it could be televised on MSG). However I'm going to assume that College Basketball will boot us out of MSG, haha.

I think college basketball is over by week 7, but it still won't happen because the Knicks or Rangers could be in the playoffs.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

I'm not sure where in Albany you could find a venue (though admittedly I haven't looked)

Albany has the Times Union Center (where the Rangers play), but as I just said, the Rangers play there.

NYC would be cool because it's NYC, but it's a HIKE for Rochester teams, and it wouldn't help encourage FIRST up near the Canadian border very much.

Syracuse would be decent, because it is centrally located in New York.
I don't know.

Speaking of which- you guys should come to next year's Albany Regional!

[PVCpirate]

Originally Posted by Thunder910

Albany has the Times Union Center (where the Rangers play), but as I just said, the Rangers play there.

NYC would be cool because it's NYC, but it's a HIKE for Rochester teams, and it wouldn't help encourage FIRST up near the Canadian border very much.

Syracuse would be decent, because it is centrally located in New York.
I don't know.

Speaking of which- you guys should come to next year's Albany Regional!

Um, are you talking about the NHL New York Rangers? They play at Madison Square Garden.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by PVCpirate

Um, are you talking about the NHL New York Rangers? They play at Madison Square Garden.

Hm. I'm not really a "hockey guy".

[Tetraman]

Originally Posted by Thunder910

Speaking of which- you guys should come to next year's Albany Regional!

It's been added to my list for next mentor meeting.

What would really be cool, is if we had a regional in Syracuse. Then you could take the "Thruway Trifecta" of Finger Lakes, Syracuse and Albany Regional events, one week after the other.

EDIT: I mean, I'm not just saying have our future NY champs in Syracuse cause it's an actual <20 minute drive from 174's school to the Dome, but because it is the largest venue for FIRST (outside NYC venues) that could boast such an event. It's either there, or at NYC somewhere. I don't think teams are going to not go to a Champs in NYC - its NYC for goodness sake - and giving teams all the time to explore the city and its attractions makes the trip for anyone. It is something to think about for the eventual NY Region committee.

[Kevin Leonard]

Originally Posted by Tetraman

It's been added to my list for next mentor meeting.

What would really be cool, is if we had a regional in Syracuse. Then you could take the "Thruway Trifecta" of Finger Lakes, Syracuse and Albany Regional events, one week after the other.

EDIT: I mean, I'm not just saying have our future NY champs in Syracuse cause it's an actual <20 minute drive from 174's school to the Dome, but because it is the largest venue for FIRST (outside NYC venues) that could boast such an event. It's either there, or at NYC somewhere. I don't think teams are going to not go to a Champs in NYC - its NYC for goodness sake - and giving teams all the time to explore the city and its attractions makes the trip for anyone. It is something to think about for the eventual NY Region committee.

I understood what you meant. And if there was a greater FRC team population near 'cuse, you'd probably get a regional there.
That would be more convenient for us than going to Finger Lakes- that's for sure!

[KrazyCarl92]

The Times Union Center would probably be the only venue considered for a NY championship in Albany. What Kevin means is that the Albany Devils (AHL affiliate of the New Jersey Devils) play there. However, GSR has been in the Manchester Monarchs' home arena for years, so there is a precedent for working that out.

My guess is that the Carrier Dome in Syracuse, Times Union Center in Albany,and any number of venues in New York City would be the most likely places to consider.

[rachelholladay]

I can't wait to be one of those old kids who can say "Yeah, I remember the days before districts." and then watch the kid's eyes widen when I explain the days of regionals..