Frank Answers Fridays: Expanded Championship Qualification

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Alex2614

I think going all districts is the way to go. Having some districts some not only provides cost and competitive benefits to those within districts. Those of us out of districts are still paying the same amount for less than half of the playing time (not to mention the higher travel cost due to distance and number of nights). Plus they are given more playing time and thus more opportunities for advancement.

A permanent "some district some not" only benefits those teams in more populated areas and alienates those in more rural areas. We need an all district system eventually or we will see rural teams diminish.

As trivial as this is to everyone who has done FIRST, especially teams like us in "rural" areas, I dont see any immediate changes happening anytime soon. I'm hoping that with Frank at the helm, he'll allow ANY team to participate in an existing district model after all teams from their own respective areas sign up first?
I found that over the years, I have changed and grown accustomed to playing more and more tournaments/matches every season. The thrill of a season with doing just 1 Regional and Championship is no longer enough. In the past, doing more than 1 event was a luxury. Now its the standard and I've grown accustomed to raising X amount of funds and playing X amount of matches.
Most district teams are used to paying only X amount of $$ to participate, and we want to be able to have the same pricing structure as well.
I'd give up the auto-qualifying HOF status and qualify via the State Championship route, if given the choice to participate in a District system with its associated costs.
Whether its in a HS gym or in a large stadium, I'm fine as long as there is Pizza at the concession stand.