Future First Championship News

[JohnFogarty]

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

I don't see how hosting two Championships in the middle of the country reduces travel distances or costs for the huge population of teams along the two coasts.

I'm not sure I really understand the motivation behind this decision.

This

[MechEng83]

Will we only ever get to see hall of fame teams from our half-world now?

On the plus side, this could make IRI the "true" championship.

[efoote868]

Originally Posted by Wetzel

Who is going to be the first team to be a true World Champion in the 2 championship era by winning both?

Winner of IRI of course.

[PayneTrain]

What I will say is that FIRST recognized there is a problem with Championships. It's an event every team should go to at least once because just being there is a transformative experience, and by the time we move to this format, probably around 1/6 of teams would have had a chance to go to champs at the FRC level.

That's ignoring the fact that the other programs have no room at all to invite teams to compete in such a great environment. I am not convinced this was the best solution that could be executed, but we as a program need to keep trying new things together and figuring out what works and what doesn't together.

[cadandcookies]

Well, this will be interesting.

[dodar]

FIRST, April Fool's Day was 8 days ago. This isn't funny.

I'm sorry, but this is honestly the dumbest idea FIRST has ever put forth; yes, even more so than Lunacy.

[mklinker]

Originally Posted by JVN

"One of the important things about FIRST and maybe what separates us from other sports is that we're an inclusive organization we're about not about picking a winner at the expense of others but celebrating everybody's accomplishments and success."

Amen.....Is it really about the championship or is it more about the experience?

Having just agonized over declining a wait list position for 2015 this excites me very much to know that I have a better shot of having my team attend championships in the future!

[Eugene Fang]

"Two championships reduces travel costs for teams."

So they put one north and one south instead of east/west? Go figure.

[cgmv123]

Most of my thoughts have been expressed by others, but it's interesting how FIRST didn't even see how this year's Championship with its new model went before announcing this change.

Originally Posted by dodar

FIRST, April Fool's Day was 8 days ago. This isn't funny.

Yup.

[Thad House]

Originally Posted by dodar

FIRST, April Fool's Day was 8 days ago. This isn't funny.

I'm sorry, but this is honestly the dumbest idea FIRST has ever put forth; yes, even more so than Recycle Rush.

FTFY

[Tom Bottiglieri]

So....

Inaugural Vex Pro Competition in 2017?!?

[dodar]

Originally Posted by mklinker

Amen.....Is it really about the championship or is it more about the experience?

Having just agonized over declining a wait list position for 2015 this excites me very much to know that I have a better shot of having my team attend championships in the future!

How would you feel if you went to "a" championship that didnt have 254, 1114, 148, 987, 118, 624? I would feel cheated on the experience.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

So....

Inaugural Vex Pro Competition in 2017?!?

We're in.

[Sparky3D]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

So....

Inaugural Vex Pro Competition in 2017?!?

I'm listening...

[James1902]

My favorite part of the Championship event is the chance to see robots and teams from around the world. This move, to my eye, seems to dilute and degrade the Championship experience instead of opening it up to more teams. I'm not sure that splitting the FIRST community in two is a good idea.

And ditto all the mentions of two world champion alliances, it was difficult enough trying to explain splitting a title three ways.