Go to Post Think Tolerant. - petek [more]
Home
Go Back   Chief Delphi > FIRST > General Forum
CD-Media   CD-Spy  
portal register members calendar search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read FAQ rules

 
Reply
Thread Tools Rating: Thread Rating: 15 votes, 5.00 average. Display Modes
  #1   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 13:28
JB987 JB987 is offline
Registered User
AKA: Joe Barry
FRC #0987 (HIGH ROLLERS)
Team Role: Coach
 
Join Date: May 2006
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: LAS VEGAS
Posts: 1,175
JB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond repute
LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Just a notice to all of you out there. FIRST is set to make a decision about pulling the plug on the LVR. A recommendation to terminate our regional from FRC Regional Operations staff is going to be made to the Board on Wednesday, due to difficulty retaining teams and some sponsorship shortfalls the last few years. This has resulted in FIRST having to lend some financial support to help us balance our budget. We are fighting hard to convince the board that with our economic recovery locally we should be able to balance the books on our own now but right now things look bleak without new and additional sponsorship support assured.

The result of this regional's termination will be devastating to our local FRC programs and greatly impact FTC growth efforts. I expect no more than 3-4 local teams will have the financial resources to attend out of state regionals and the rest of the teams will not return. To all of you outside teams that joined us over the years, thank you for your support...and to all of my fellow local teams that won't survive FIRST pulling the rug out from under us...I am sorry if FIRST decides we just aren't worth supporting any more.
__________________
"A genius is just a talented person who does his homework" T. Edison
Reply With Quote
  #2   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 13:39
Tom Bottiglieri Tom Bottiglieri is offline
Registered User
FRC #0254 (The Cheesy Poofs)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,185
Tom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond reputeTom Bottiglieri has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Wow, that's really sad news to hear. We always love going out to compete in LV when it doesn't align with SVR. Best wishes on being able to keep it.
Reply With Quote
  #3   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 14:41
Mk.32's Avatar
Mk.32 Mk.32 is online now
Registered User
AKA: Mark
FRC #2485 (W.A.R. Lords)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: San Diego
Posts: 770
Mk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud ofMk.32 has much to be proud of
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Hm I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact FIRST is pushing for districts in CA....
__________________
Engineering mentor: Team 2485: WARLords 2013-

Team President: Team 3647 2010-2013
Reply With Quote
  #4   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 14:49
Andrew Lawrence
 
Posts: n/a
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mk.32 View Post
Hm I wonder if this has anything to do with the fact FIRST is pushing for districts in CA....
I don't think it's related, since part of CA is pushing to not have districts (I think they can't come here soon enough).
Reply With Quote
  #5   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 14:53
SenorZ's Avatar
SenorZ SenorZ is offline
Physics Teacher
AKA: Tom Zook
FRC #4276 (Surf City Vikings)
Team Role: Teacher
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: Huntington Beach, California
Posts: 910
SenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond reputeSenorZ has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

This is unfortunate. Team 4276 has enjoyed attending the LVR for the last two years. We were planning on attending again in 2015!

The CA districts are probably a couple of years away, and I understand there is a distance factor for going to LV for most teams (overwhelmingly out-of-state team attended), but that would mean Nevada has NO regional, and one of the best teams (tip o' the hat to 987).

Very unfortunate.
__________________
2013-present: FRC Team 4276, Surf City Vikings
2011-2012: FRC Team 3677, The Don Bots
Reply With Quote
  #6   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:01
AdamHeard's Avatar
AdamHeard AdamHeard is offline
Lead Mentor
FRC #0973 (Greybots)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Rookie Year: 2004
Location: Atascadero
Posts: 5,497
AdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond reputeAdamHeard has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to AdamHeard
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Losing this event would also really hurt CA.

Is there anything teams can do to help Joe?
Reply With Quote
  #7   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:01
themccannman's Avatar
themccannman themccannman is offline
registered lurker
AKA: Jake McCann
FRC #3501
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Rookie Year: 2011
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 432
themccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond reputethemccannman has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence View Post
I don't think it's related, since part of CA is pushing to not have districts (I think they can't come here soon enough).
Who's pushing to not have districts? So far I've only heard supportive comments about the new district system. Either way we'll be on districts by 2016 at the latest.
__________________
All posts here are purely my own opinion.
2011-2015: 1678
2016: 846
2017 - current: 3501
Reply With Quote
  #8   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:03
MrTechCenter's Avatar
MrTechCenter MrTechCenter is offline
INTENSITY
AKA: Harsharan "Harsh" Dhaliwal
FRC #2073 (Eagleforce)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Rookie Year: 2010
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 559
MrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant futureMrTechCenter has a brilliant future
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Actually, CA is planning to go district in 2016. For 2015, there will be seven regionals in the state, including a new one in Santa Barbara. I think the new regional might have been added to make room for some Las Vegas teams to come over, but I can't really say. It's unfortunate to have to lose your home regional, but I'm sure that some California teams would be more than happy to help accommodate some Nevada teams for the 2015 regional season.
__________________
2011 Sacramento Regional Finalists; 2011 MadTown Throwdown VIP Excellence in Engineering Award; 2012 Sacramento Regional Innovation in Control Award; 2012 Silicon Valley Regional Judges' Award; 2012 CalGames Autonomous Challenge Award; 2012 MadTown Throwdown Finalists; 2013 P0W3RH0U53 PWNAGE Gracios Professionalism Award; 2014 Central Valley Regional Innovation in Control; 2014 Sacramento Regional Innovation in Control; 2014 Curie Division Gracious Professionalism Award; 2015 Sacramento Regional Innovation in Control
Reply With Quote
  #9   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:12
waialua359's Avatar
waialua359 waialua359 is offline
Mentor
AKA: Glenn
FRC #0359 (Hawaiian Kids)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Waialua, HI
Posts: 3,296
waialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Joe,
after speaking a lot with Stephen at CMP, I didnt really think that FIRST would really pull the plug.
I'm sure everyone was hopeful that it would continue, creative avenues would be explored, and the LVR would be sure to continue.

The fact that this is happening at an event where many veteran and well known teams compete year after year, sends a strong message to everyone about sustainability issues of FRC/FTC programs due to the enormous costs to field teams and host an event.
Hawaii has to cough up a whole lot more just to put on our event. If and when our sponsorship runs out, you can pretty much shut the door on Hawaii ever having the same no. of FRC/FTC teams.
For us personally, I can see us shutting our program down once we are unable to compete in as many events as district teams are getting at a fraction of the cost.
Teams in specific regions are getting more play opportunities per $. If we are unable to play at the same level as these heavy FRC regions, I would rather fold.
This is a serious issue that will only get worse.
I am all for districts! The cost disparity between district and non-district reg fees need to be at a level playing field. This will only help to sustain teams, promote growth, and allow regional planning committees to focus more of their efforts in raising the necessary funds to keep regionals going. Its not like LVR was a regional that nobody wanted to attend.

Today is a sad day.
Hope it all works out.
__________________

2016 Hawaii Regional #1 seed, IDesign, Safety Award
2016 NY Tech Valley Regional Champions, #1 seed, Innovation in Controls Award
2016 Lake Superior Regional Champions, #1 seed, Quality Award, Dean's List
2015 FRC Worlds-Carver Division Champions
2015 Hawaii Regional Champions, #1 seed.
2015 Australia Regional Champions, #2 seed, Engineering Excellence Award
2015 Inland Empire Regional Champions, #1 seed, Industrial Design Award
2014 OZARK Mountain Brawl Champions, #1 seed.
2014 Hawaii Regional Champions, #1 seed, UL Safety Award
2014 Dallas Regional Champions, #1 seed, Engineering Excellence Award
2014 Northern Lights Regional Champions, #1 seed, Entrepreneurship Award
2013 Championship Dean's List Winner
2013 Utah Regional Champion, #1 seed, KP&B Award, Deans List
2013 Boilermaker Regional Champion, #1 seed, Motorola Quality Award
2012 Lone Star Regional Champion, #1 seed, Motorola Quality Award
2012 Hawaii Regional Champions #1 seed, Motorola Quality Award

Last edited by waialua359 : 06-06-2014 at 15:16.
Reply With Quote
  #10   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:15
Lil' Lavery Lil' Lavery is offline
TSIMFD
AKA: Sean Lavery
FRC #1712 (DAWGMA)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Rookie Year: 2003
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 6,592
Lil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond reputeLil' Lavery has a reputation beyond repute
Send a message via AIM to Lil' Lavery
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Quote:
Originally Posted by waialua359 View Post
Teams in specific regions are getting more play opportunities per $. If we are unable to play at the same level as these heavy FRC regions, I would rather fold.
This is an incredibly troubling statement to read. Would you elaborate on why you feel it would be necessary to shutter a Hall of Fame program that impacted so many students over not getting as good a value as other teams?
Reply With Quote
  #11   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:23
waialua359's Avatar
waialua359 waialua359 is offline
Mentor
AKA: Glenn
FRC #0359 (Hawaiian Kids)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Rookie Year: 2000
Location: Waialua, HI
Posts: 3,296
waialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond reputewaialua359 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery View Post
This is an incredibly troubling statement to read. Would you elaborate on why you feel it would be necessary to shutter a Hall of Fame program that impacted so many students over not getting as good a value as other teams?
Fair question.
Our program has grown leaps and bounds ever since we went to a 7-12 program vs. just a high school one.
We impact up to 250 kids in a 620+ enrollment small little rural school (7-12 high and intermediate).
Why do FIRST if we are only able to do 1 event?
FIRST isnt the only STEM program around.
I want the best bang for our buck which impacts the most kids in helping them be as successful as the program can help with.

Our STEM Learning Center produced a student who earned a full ride 4 year scholarship to a film school in NYC last year, a Miss Hawaii USA pageant winner in 2012, 3 Bill Gates Scholarship winners since 2007, and 7 valedictorians in a row, most of which didnt build robots.

If you look at our FRC History, we started doing multiple events in 2007 going as far as the East Coast on several occasions. There is a direct correlation between our most recent successes and participating in many more Robotics events, including seeing folks like you and Dave at the 2008 VCU regional.

Every year, we have several students who have never been on a plane, go on their first ever trip to an FRC event. Priceless..
__________________

2016 Hawaii Regional #1 seed, IDesign, Safety Award
2016 NY Tech Valley Regional Champions, #1 seed, Innovation in Controls Award
2016 Lake Superior Regional Champions, #1 seed, Quality Award, Dean's List
2015 FRC Worlds-Carver Division Champions
2015 Hawaii Regional Champions, #1 seed.
2015 Australia Regional Champions, #2 seed, Engineering Excellence Award
2015 Inland Empire Regional Champions, #1 seed, Industrial Design Award
2014 OZARK Mountain Brawl Champions, #1 seed.
2014 Hawaii Regional Champions, #1 seed, UL Safety Award
2014 Dallas Regional Champions, #1 seed, Engineering Excellence Award
2014 Northern Lights Regional Champions, #1 seed, Entrepreneurship Award
2013 Championship Dean's List Winner
2013 Utah Regional Champion, #1 seed, KP&B Award, Deans List
2013 Boilermaker Regional Champion, #1 seed, Motorola Quality Award
2012 Lone Star Regional Champion, #1 seed, Motorola Quality Award
2012 Hawaii Regional Champions #1 seed, Motorola Quality Award

Last edited by waialua359 : 06-06-2014 at 15:34.
Reply With Quote
  #12   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:39
Mr. B.'s Avatar
Mr. B. Mr. B. is offline
Lead Project Manager/Mentor
AKA: David Bodmer
FRC #0011 (MORT)
Team Role: Mentor
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Rookie Year: 2007
Location: Flanders, NJ
Posts: 35
Mr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond reputeMr. B. has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Joe,

The news you shared today is very disappointing to hear. While I wish you all the best, these decisions that are being made have a wide ripple out effect for FRC as a whole as outlined in Glenn's reply. I personally hope that things can be worked out to maintain the regionals but more importantly for your local teams, state and region. If there is anything we can do to help at this point, please let me know.

Dave
Reply With Quote
  #13   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:53
apples000's Avatar
apples000 apples000 is offline
Registered User
no team
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Rookie Year: 2012
Location: United States
Posts: 222
apples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant futureapples000 has a brilliant future
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

That's unfortunate.

I really love the extra playing time given to teams in districts, but don't you guys think it's important to help out the teams that are located where there aren't a million district events nearby? In my opinion, FIRST should be about providing awesome and powerful inspiration to every team that's in FIRST rather than exploiting more crowded district regions to get tons and tons of new teams started. FRC doesn't really feel like the "varsity" program it used to sell itself as in moments like these. Slowly, we're removing different pieces of the FIRST experience like team travel (once we have districts, how often will 254 be leaving california?), large exciting venues, and instead focusing on expansion. These growing pains really are inevitable, especially for a unique organization like FIRST, but shouldn't we worry about getting our current teams and events all set before we go expanding and district crazy? Nobody will want to join a program that can't support its own teams.

Sorry for the rant, sometimes I just feel like the focus is too much on expansion.
Reply With Quote
  #14   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 15:54
JB987 JB987 is offline
Registered User
AKA: Joe Barry
FRC #0987 (HIGH ROLLERS)
Team Role: Coach
 
Join Date: May 2006
Rookie Year: 2002
Location: LAS VEGAS
Posts: 1,175
JB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond reputeJB987 has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Adam,
The best thing other teams can do to help us keep our regional is to send us some of your sponsors $$
Hey, if 2500 teams each sent $20 to Nevada FIRST we would be all set...kidding...sorta.

Seriously, our committee is working hard to get this possibly bad news out to our community and see if we can't shake some more financial support out of them. We haven't given up the fight yet...FIRST has been patient but reached a point where the loss of our regional and it's helpful role in offering additional capacity to CA and AZ teams (you would be amazed at the total number of teams left on the wait lists at so many of the area regionals including 10 left on ours). This is apparently no longer a mitigating concern to them since we have been told that there will be new regionals next year in CA (Ventura) and AZ (Phoenix).
__________________
"A genius is just a talented person who does his homework" T. Edison

Last edited by JB987 : 06-06-2014 at 15:59.
Reply With Quote
  #15   Spotlight this post!  
Unread 06-06-2014, 16:01
Steven Donow Steven Donow is offline
Registered User
AKA: Scooby
no team
Team Role: College Student
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Rookie Year: 2009
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 1,335
Steven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond reputeSteven Donow has a reputation beyond repute
Re: LAS VEGAS REGIONAL... terminated?

Quote:
Originally Posted by apples000 View Post
That's unfortunate.

I really love the extra playing time given to teams in districts, but don't you guys think it's important to help out the teams that are located where there aren't a million district events nearby? In my opinion, FIRST should be about providing awesome and powerful inspiration to every team that's in FIRST rather than exploiting more crowded district regions to get tons and tons of new teams started. FRC doesn't really feel like the "varsity" program it used to sell itself as in moments like these. Slowly, we're removing different pieces of the FIRST experience like team travel (once we have districts, how often will 254 be leaving california?), large exciting venues, and instead focusing on expansion. These growing pains really are inevitable, especially for a unique organization like FIRST, but shouldn't we worry about getting our current teams and events all set before we go expanding and district crazy? Nobody will want to join a program that can't support its own teams.

Sorry for the rant, sometimes I just feel like the focus is too much on expansion.
emph. mine


The thing is though, those are just a few pieces of the overall FIRST experience and, arguably, ones that many teams do not see as-is in the regional system. I'm sure someone can get actual numbers and facts on this, but most teams do not 'travel' extensively (extensively being defined as 254 going to Waterloo; not a NYC team traveling to Philadelphia). Also, some districts are in venues just as large as some regionals, even sometimes bigger (I for one hate 'convention center bleacher'-style events).

In the end, 'going district crazy' is not happening in areas it doesn't need to happen, and the 'pieces of FIRST' that it's influencing are things that, in many people's eyes, are bigger issues than the ones you stated, ie. more play for less pay/cheaper events overall.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 00:28.

The Chief Delphi Forums are sponsored by Innovation First International, Inc.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.6.4
Copyright ©2000 - 2017, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © Chief Delphi