STL Off-Season Event: Gateway Robotics Challenge

[nicholsjj]

I know we would be in a better situation if the event moved to a Saturday only event. As far as act testing goes there are a few locations less than 15 min from the event venue for concerned teams. I would guess that it might allow some of the KC teams that were on the fence to attend which would be great. How many less matches would it potentially cause teams to lose? The low registration fee combined with the free dinner would more than offset the fewer matches, but having below 5ish qualification matches would be a tough trade off though.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by nicholsjj

I know we would be in a better situation if the event moved to a Saturday only event. As far as act testing goes there are a few locations less than 15 min from the event venue for concerned teams. I would guess that it might allow some of the KC teams that were on the fence to attend which would be great. How many less matches would it potentially cause teams to lose? The low registration fee combined with the free dinner would more than offset the fewer matches, but having below 5ish qualification matches would be a tough trade off though.

If we went to a Saturday only event, we'd likely run it similar to how R2OC ran theirs - just go later in the day and try to give teams at least 8 qualification matches.

[nicholsjj]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

If we went to a Saturday only event, we'd likely run it similar to how R2OC ran theirs - just go later in the day and try to give teams at least 8 qualification matches.

That sounds really doable especially since it would let KC teams be able to drive home that night. One thing if you all decide to go this way might be to let the local teams be able to connect to the field during load in. That way the morning set up wouldn't be as long for teams to get connected.

[Alpha Beta]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

In the interest of transparency, the GRC planners are considering going from a 2 day event format to a longer 1-day event on Saturday only. We'd love to get feedback on whether this would help more teams attend or cause more teams not to attend.

A Saturday only event seems like a great choice and would make our decision much easier. If I recall correctly, CTTD (Cowtown ThrowDown) ran that way their first several years.

The R2OC schedule appears to be as follows:

• Friday night load in 5-7.
• Practice Matches Friday 7-9
• Team Social Friday night 7-10 (overlaps practice matches?)
• Saturday Load in at 7:30 for teams not arriving Friday night
• Doors open to public Saturday at 8:00
• Opening ceremonies at 8:45 am
• Matches start 9:00 am
  
  I can't find much else about the schedule now that we are post event. What time did they do alliance selection, and what time did the event end?

I noticed that 3330 wasn't signed up yet, but they are a 2015 Beta test team. Will they be making a presentation at the event?

[Tartan47]

Originally Posted by Alpha Beta

The R2OC schedule appears to be as follows:

• Friday night load in 5-7.
• Practice Matches Friday 7-9
• Team Social Friday night 7-10 (overlaps practice matches?)
• Saturday Load in at 7:30 for teams not arriving Friday night
• Doors open to public Saturday at 8:00
• Opening ceremonies at 8:45 am
• Matches start 9:00 am
  
  I can't find much else about the schedule now that we are post event. What time did they do alliance selection, and what time did the event end?

Alliance selections were scheduled for 2:45-3 and matches were scheduled to end about 5PM.

We ended up getting behind schedule so alliance selections were 3:15-3:30 and matches ended about 6:30 if I recall correctly.

Also, under the R2OC schedule each of the 32 teams in attendance played 8 qualification matches.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by Alpha Beta

A Saturday only event seems like a great choice and would make our decision much easier. If I recall correctly, CTTD (Cowtown ThrowDown) ran that way their first several years.

The R2OC schedule appears to be as follows:

• Friday night load in 5-7.
• Practice Matches Friday 7-9
• Team Social Friday night 7-10 (overlaps practice matches?)
• Saturday Load in at 7:30 for teams not arriving Friday night
• Doors open to public Saturday at 8:00
• Opening ceremonies at 8:45 am
• Matches start 9:00 am
  
  I can't find much else about the schedule now that we are post event. What time did they do alliance selection, and what time did the event end?

I noticed that 3330 wasn't signed up yet, but they are a 2015 Beta test team. Will they be making a presentation at the event?

Thanks for the feedback guys. From the other notes I've received privately, I'm pretty confident we will be making the change to a 1 day Saturday event this week officially on the website and on this thread. We'll make sure to send out a notification via e-mail as well.

I will also try to contact 3330's mentors to see if they would be interested in making a presentation with the 2015 control system. They are our area's only beta test team and I'm hoping they will have something by then.

2481 we'd love to have another Roboteers team at the event to make things confusing and awesome again like they were at Central Illinois!

[nicholsjj]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

Thanks for the feedback guys. From the other notes I've received privately, I'm pretty confident we will be making the change to a 1 day Saturday event this week officially on the website and on this thread. We'll make sure to send out a notification via e-mail as well.

I will also try to contact 3330's mentors to see if they would be interested in making a presentation with the 2015 control system. They are our area's only beta test team and I'm hoping they will have something by then.

2481 we'd love to have another Roboteers team at the event to make things confusing and awesome again like they were at Central Illinois!

Thanks for the full disclosure on the change Ryan and the rest of the GRC planning committee. I believe 1208 was an alpha testing team last year so you might be able to get them to help put in that regard. And yes it would be very inspiring to have an Einstein team attend the event. Would two boxes of Krispy Kremes from team 3885 sway your decision to attend?

[Tartan47]

Originally Posted by nicholsjj

And yes it would be very inspiring to have an Einstein team attend the event. Would two boxes of Krispy Kremes from team 3885 sway your decision to attend?

The 80+ matches through 4 separate events this season have taken their toll on our robot, I think GARE-E is officially retired from FRC competition. However, our team is definitely a fan of food so I appreciate the offer!

Even though we probably won't compete, I'm sure a contingent of us will travel down for the event given how close it is to us.

I wish you the best of luck with organizing this event! Hopefully we will be able to compete next year.

[Meredith Novak]

Looks like you will have a beta test team attending.

[Ryan Dognaux]

The website has been updated to reflect the change of making the GRC a single day Saturday-only event -



We are also up to 19 teams now with two pre-rookie teams coming - one mentored by team 16 and one mentored by 3284. Thank you for bringing these teams and setting them on the path to a successful rookie season!

Originally Posted by Meredith Novak

Looks like you will have a beta test team attending.

Awesome! Let us know if you need anything, we'll let you set up anywhere you'd like.

We just need 5 more teams to hit a field of 24, register today!

[Alpha Beta]

Originally Posted by Ryan Dognaux

We just need 5 more teams to hit a field of 24, register today!

4 more. Looking forward to it.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by Alpha Beta

4 more. Looking forward to it.

Can't wait to see Titanium play at our event! Thanks for making the trip over for our first year.

On that note, we are still hoping to see a few more teams register! Especially to the St. Louis area teams - if you are registered and know a team that isn't, get in touch with them and let me know! This is a great opportunity and no St. Louis area team should miss out.

I will be out with 4329 at the Sedalia Show-Me Robotics contest tomorrow. Any Missouri or Kansas area teams that want to get more information, feel free to swing by our pit. We will be making an announcement during the event as well. This also includes Illinois teams - all are welcome to attend to compete or volunteer! Shoot me a PM if you need more information or visit the website - www.gatewayroboticschallenge.com

[Ryan Dognaux]

We are up to 22 teams now! Just a reminder that we are still accepting registrations, make sure to sign up if you think your team may attend.

The event is still very much still in need of volunteers in key roles - referees, score keepers, queuing, A/V crew & game announcing / emcee. Shoot me a PM or register on the GRC website's volunteer section if you are interested.

Updated Team List -

16
931
1094
1208
1288
1329
1658
1706
1985
1986
2408
2978
3284
328 (Pre-Rookie)
3397
3507
3885
3937
4256
4329
4931
6001 (Pre-Rookie)

[kylelanman]

Originally Posted by nicholsjj

Would two boxes of Krispy Kremes from team 3885 sway your decision to attend?

Decision Swayed!!!

Tartan47 has been forced to walk the plank for turning down free food.

[Ryan Dognaux]

Originally Posted by kylelanman

Decision Swayed!!!

Tartan47 has been forced to walk the plank for turning down free food.

Huzzah! Good news everyone, we are at 24 teams! In addition to 2481's registration, 4143 registered and is also bringing a pre-rookie team from Illinois with them. Thank you for helping us get to a full field of 24 teams in our first year!

Registration is still open for any additional teams who want to attend.

We will be posting any rule changes by the end of the week and will be sending out an information packet to teams containing the event layout, final schedule and more information.

We still need help from volunteers - especially referees! If you are interested in being a referee let me know.