Frank Answers Fridays: Expanded Championship Qualification

[Aren Siekmeier]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

FIRST doesn't have to have proportional representation at champs... The problem comes in when some areas are proportional while others aren't. Teams from Michigan don't have to compete for spots with teams from Hawaii, Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, etc... But Minnesota teams do. I'm completely willing to back a non-proportional system, so long as it provides equal opportunity for everyone, not two radically different sets of rules that potentially benefit one group but not another. Giving proportional representation to one group but not another simply doesn't present a level playing field.

Putting aside the dubious allegations concerning proportional representation in Minnesota... I strongly disagree with the sentiment that we need to lock out teams from outside the state, just because Michigan, MAR, etc. are getting that same "advantage." For one, these teams are a lot of fun to have around. Second, it's something Minnesota really really needs while its team are where they are right now. A lot of MN teams still have difficulty getting something together that can reliably connect to the field and the driver station. More have trouble performing the basic tasks of each years game. The chance for us in MN to compete with and learn from strong, successful, experienced teams from out of state is invaluable. I can't imagine MN events without the likes of 27, 359, 525, 967, 171, 2826, 1714, 3928, 1986, etc. etc. etc. etc.

And besides, where do you want them to go?

Originally Posted by Katie_UPS

Us Iowa teams have no where else to go but out of state

I (along with those in the current districts) wish FIRST didn't require districts to be exclusive. I think this is bad. But we shouldn't keep doing something bad just to make things fair.

I'll echo what I've said over here. If MN wants to reap the benefits of a district system (a competition structure that's better for its teams growth and success, or a competition structure that's more exclusive, whatever you perceive them to be), MN needs to work for it. It's not fair to point fingers at our good friends in Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan, Hawaii, and everywhere else for having an unfair advantage when in fact we are probably benefiting a lot more from them than they are from us.