Ohio going to Districts?

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by Alex2614

Out of curiosity, where would those teams compete if everyone around them is in a district format? Wouldn't not including them make it even more difficult for those teams than it already is? These teams should be included in a nearby district instead of being forced into Canada or a regional 10 hours away. It only further alienates them than they already are.

I don't really have any idea about what they would do, but just as speculation it wouldn't surprise me if they gave a state or pair of states a regional (The Dakota Regional?). Either that, or they might allow the teams in that state to join part of a nearby district series that suites them.

[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by TDav540

I don't really have any idea about what they would do, but just as speculation it wouldn't surprise me if they gave a state or pair of states a regional (The Dakota Regional?). Either that, or they might allow the teams in that state to join part of a nearby district series that suites them.

Wouldn't surprise me either, albeit it would make me angry. I would hope they would be allowed to compete at a nearby district. But as I said above, using the example of here in WV, it is already hard enough on us to start teams that have enough money to travel to regionals (when other teams have much cheaper events that are much closer). If they leave WV out, there is nowhere else for us to go. This is something that I'm deeply concerned about because with only 4 teams, we can't support our own district. I don't want to be stuck only being able to travel to the Dakotas or Canada because everyone around us is in districts and we aren't allowed to compete there.

It's like a catch-22. You need a bunch of teams to start a district, but when you make it harder and harder every year for those teams to travel, and make t cheaper and easier for everybody else in FIRST, you won't see team growth in those places. We will have to tell new teams in WV "oh you have to pay 5,000 to go to one event 10 hours away, but everybody else gets two closer events for the same price."

(I hope it doesn't sound like I'm lashing out on any one particular person. This is just a subject that makes me angry sometimes and honestly quite scared).

[Travis Hoffman]

OhioFIRST and other organizations of interest are currently discussing the topic of district events internally.

No hard deadline for district conversion has been set, but we know they're coming and are planning accordingly.

I cannot share specifically what the boundaries of the proposed district would be, since none have been decided, but I can say that OhioFIRST is working together with leadership in other adjacent states along with FIRST-connected individuals in formulating a proposal.

[Jimmy Nichols]

What Travis said.

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by Alex2614

Wouldn't surprise me either, albeit it would make me angry. I would hope they would be allowed to compete at a nearby district. But as I said above, using the example of here in WV, it is already hard enough on us to start teams that have enough money to travel to regionals (when other teams have much cheaper events that are much closer). If they leave WV out, there is nowhere else for us to go. This is something that I'm deeply concerned about because with only 4 teams, we can't support our own district. I don't want to be stuck only being able to travel to the Dakotas or Canada because everyone around us is in districts and we aren't allowed to compete there.

It's like a catch-22. You need a bunch of teams to start a district, but when you make it harder and harder every year for those teams to travel, and make t cheaper and easier for everybody else in FIRST, you won't see team growth in those places. We will have to tell new teams in WV "oh you have to pay 5,000 to go to one event 10 hours away, but everybody else gets two closer events for the same price."

I have heard that VA may go to districts in 2016, so it wouldn't surprise me that if we did go to districts, there would be one in the Southwest of VA and there would be one in Northern VA. Not perfect for WV, I know, but if they allowed them in it would be at least better than Canada or the Northwest States. Ohio (if they do go district) and MAR are also options, though MAR would definitely be a stretch.

[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by TDav540

I have heard that VA may go to districts in 2016, so it wouldn't surprise me that if we did go to districts, there would be one in the Southwest of VA and there would be one in Northern VA. Not perfect for WV, I know, but if they allowed them in it would be at least better than Canada or the Northwest States. Ohio (if they do go district) and MAR are also options, though MAR would definitely be a stretch.

I mean, it's definitely do-able (I usually think of worst-case scenarios). It's just a matter of whether nearby districts would allow us. I believe we are technically under Pittsburgh region, so if Ohio includes them, I would assume we are included as well. MAR would be do-able for us, but for the other three teams, it's really far. 3492 was actually just as close to Crossroads than to Pittsburgh.

My "dream" district would be an Ohio/West Virginia/Western PA/ and possibly Western Maryland.

I will hate not being able to go back to SMR though. My favorite trip every year :/

[TDav540]

Originally Posted by Alex2614

I mean, it's definitely do-able (I usually think of worst-case scenarios). It's just a matter of whether nearby districts would allow us. I believe we are technically under Pittsburgh region, so if Ohio includes them, I would assume we are included as well. MAR would be do-able for us, but for the other three teams, it's really far. 3492 was actually just as close to Crossroads than to Pittsburgh.

My "dream" district would be an Ohio/West Virginia/Western PA/ and possibly Western Maryland.

Pittsburgh would be quite a good deal for you guys. The other groups it would be much more difficult, but maybe they get included in the VA/TN districts?

[Alan Anderson]

Indiana FIRST was trying to include Illinois and Ohio when starting the District planning process a few years ago. I would expect that option to still be on the table. And I personally would be extremely happy to be able to call an Illinois/Indiana/Ohio (and maybe Kentucky) collection the "Cardinal" region.

Originally Posted by Alex2614

I will hate not being able to go back to SMR though. My favorite trip every year :/

Nobody's going to stop you from attending as a volunteer, right?

[Michael Hill]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Indiana FIRST was trying to include Illinois and Ohio when starting the District planning process a few years ago. I would expect that option to still be on the table. And I personally would be extremely happy to be able to call an Illinois/Indiana/Ohio (and maybe Kentucky) collection the "Cardinal" region.



Nobody's going to stop you from attending as a volunteer, right?

I wouldn't mind being absorbed into Indiana. At least if we went to the Kokomo District, I wouldn't have to pay for a hotel

[Travis Hoffman]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

Indiana FIRST was trying to include Illinois and Ohio when starting the District planning process a few years ago. I would expect that option to still be on the table. And I personally would be extremely happy to be able to call an Illinois/Indiana/Ohio (and maybe Kentucky) collection the "Cardinal" region.

Go west, young man.

(Most of) Ohio FRC has a more natural connection with parts east, traditionally. I firmly believe that is the direction in which we are headed.

[smistthegreat]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Go west, young man.

(Most of) Ohio FRC has a more natural connection with parts east, traditionally. I firmly believe that is the direction in which we are headed.

Case in point: Rochester and buffalo area teams have treated Cleveland and Pittsburgh as second regionals for as long as I remember, even with the addition of tech valley. The only other close option for us is Toronto, and most teams don't go there because of the difficulty of transporting a robot and team of people across an international border.

[Dave Campbell]

Here in Cincy - we are closer to most of the Indiana events than NE Ohio or Western PA, but will be extremely happy to compete as much as possible in any district or regional events - east or west, north or south! We really enjoy spending time with all of our FIRST friends in all parts of the world!

[smistthegreat]

Originally Posted by Dave Campbell

Here in Cincy - we are closer to most of the Indiana events than NE Ohio or Western PA, but will be extremely happy to compete as much as possible in any district or regional events - east or west, north or south! We really enjoy spending time with all of our FIRST friends in all parts of the world!

Therein lies the challenge with designing districts: Cincinnati is closer to Indiana than Cleveland, just like Cleveland is closer to Pittsburgh than Cincinnati, just like buffalo is (a lot) closer to Cleveland than NYC, just like NYC is much closer to all MAR than most other cities in New York. State lines often do not line up well with team distribution, and there are always teams that will get the short end of the stick. Ideally, once everyone moves to districts, teams will be free to choose the geographically closest events.

[Jimmy Nichols]

Originally Posted by smistthegreat

Therein lies the challenge with designing districts: Cincinnati is closer to Indiana than Cleveland, just like Cleveland is closer to Pittsburgh than Cincinnati, just like buffalo is (a lot) closer to Cleveland than NYC, just like NYC is much closer to all MAR than most other cities in New York. State lines often do not line up well with team distribution, and there are always teams that will get the short end of the stick. Ideally, once everyone moves to districts, teams will be free to choose the geographically closest events.

There are also "nudges" from HQ on how they want the district boundaries to look. I'm not sure the reasoning.

Yes, once interdistrict play starts, the boundaries won't mean much anymore except for the Championship events.

Once we go to districts we will be adding events in other cities.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman

Go west, young man.

(Most of) Ohio FRC has a more natural connection with parts east, traditionally. I firmly believe that is the direction in which we are headed.

Rather than focus your preferences on traditional travel options, I think the more sustainable direction is to add closer events. For example, instead of thinking "Pittsburg is nearer to us than either Cleveland or Columbus, never mind Cincinnati," think "Dover would be a great place for a district competition."