Future First Championship News

[JohnFogarty]

I'm confused why they aren't implementing super regional events like FTC does. 2 WC events is going to be harmful to the overall quality of this program.

[smistthegreat]

"While FIRST appreciates teams’ enthusiasm for attending either or both Championship celebrations, our goal is to enable as many teams and students as possible to experience a FIRST Championship. Based on geographic location, teams from all four programs will be assigned to attend one of the events."

Does this mean that my team, being closer to Detroit, will no longer get an opportunity to compete with every single team that's geographically closer to Houston? I think this is a terrible idea. Part of the draw of CMP is it being a gathering of friends and competitors from around the country and the world.

These new events aren't world championships. They're glorified "super-regionals."

[Mackenzie W]

If they're going that far north, does this mean Toronto might actually get the Championships at some point? I really have no clue what to say about this, other than that this means IRI and similar offseason events will be determining actual world champions now.

[Boltman]

Can we say money grab? Its like the NFL expanding playoffs...lets have over half the teams make it and make more money.
Its sickening. People in FRC should respond to this complete farce.

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by Boltman

Can we say money grab? Its like the NFL expanding playoffs...lets have over half the teams make it and make more money.
Its sickening. People in FRC should respond to this farce.

If you can explain how hosting two events with more teams will make more money, I'm interested.

[notmattlythgoe]

I umm...I just...I don't get it...

[AdamHeard]

I'm really surprised the FIRST apologists aren't out in force on this one.

Or are even they disillusioned by this?

[ehochstein]

This change benefits FLL and FTC more than FRC. In my opinion, this will be a good change because it will allow for more FLL and FTC teams to attend. The number of FRC teams able to attend FIRST Championships is outrageous compared to the number of FLL and FTC teams combined.

[PayneTrain]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I'm really surprised the FIRST apologists aren't out in force on this one.

Or are even they disillusioned by this?

They may be at events since you know, they made this announcement on day 1 of three of the five biggest non-CMP events on the FRC Calendar.

[dodar]

Originally Posted by PayneTrain

They may be at events since you know, they made this announcement on day 1 of three of the five biggest non-CMP events on the FRC Calendar.

Its odd how and when they announced it. Kind of seems to have been tried to slide under the radar of the FIRST community.

[Steven Donow]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I'm really surprised the FIRST apologists aren't out in force on this one.

Or are even they disillusioned by this?

I would argue that I'm fairly often a FIRST-apologist (I enjoyed Aerial Assist from the beginning and don't absolutely hate Recycle Rush...and yes, Schreiber constantly reminds me of the fact), and even I think this is absolutely idiotic.

Also St. Louis/Houston are both much warmer than Detroit =(

[The_ShamWOW88]

Originally Posted by AdamHeard

I'm really surprised the FIRST apologists aren't out in force on this one.

Or are even they disillusioned by this?

I'm not an apologist by any stretch but I typically give FIRST the benefit of the doubt in most of their changes. I wasn't a fan of the change away from the W-L-T format but I gave it a chance.

This....this...however....this doesn't make any sense to me whatsoever (and everything I feel is my opinion and only mine, not of my team, etc. and so forth).

Maybe they can explain better how they think this helps teams who can't afford to go to Worlds as it sits now? My team was awarded a wild-card spot this year and we weren't going to make it based off of merit so it would have been nice to go again (haven't been since 2004, none of our students have ever been). But guess what, we couldn't come up with the funding or time last minute to find it.

How does adding a second Worlds change this? If they wanted to make a different, why didn't they put one closer to the East Coast and one closer to the West. Granted, the logistics to host one probably lowers the number of areas willing to do so but having two both in the CST zone doesn't help the problem.

All I see that it does is dilute the meaning behind winning a World Championship, Woodie Flowers award, or Chairman's Award, etc. I'm trying real hard to stay empowered and motivated to continue inspiring my students which is a HUGE part of FIRST but I don't know how many times I have to say it, its FRC (FIRST Robotics COMPETITION). They might as well change it to FRE (FIRST Robotics Event), at least that would be a more apt description.

[Munchskull]

still waiting for April fools.

[JesseK]

I seriously doubt the people making the argument for some kind of Champs logistical change get on ChiefDelphi at all. I'm talking about TIMS contacts who give the FRC Teams email an earful (eyeful?) about cost/etc. I hear stories directly from local teams trying to solve the problem of getting to champs, and I know for a fact I've never seen their team # on CD. I'm sure they're emailing FIRST directly trying to get info, resources, tips, etc.

As-is FRC Champs is a logistical nightmare. Let's say the DC region went to districts, and district champs were this coming weekend. How are the district champs winners getting to St. Louis? Certainly not flying at $600 per ticket (that doesn't get us there until 3pm...). Everyone's on a bus for 15 hours at that point.

If that makes me an apologist in some eyes, well ok then. To me, the only thing we can do is take what we see/experience and make a logical, thought-out argument for/against something like this or for other similar changes.

It seems like splitting up Champs is a logical next step for FIRST in general. Personally I think it makes more sense to split up Champs by program rather than geographic location, but that's my FRC-centric 0.02.

If we go with a sports metaphor, this announcement is more like AFC/NFC Champs, and IRI is the Super Bowl. Now if only we could get ESPN covering IFI ( :: ducks and covers :: ). Though I will really miss seeing the West Coast and MI powerhouses at the same event . Given that vacation is already scarce, I doubt I could attend both events as a volunteer at one of them and a team at the other.

[Botwoon]

lol west coast