Future First Championship News

[MissDaisyGirl]

I'm going to leave a few things here that basically encompass just part of the feelings I'm having:

Philadelphia to St. Louis: 2 hr, 25 min
Philadelphia to Houston: 3 hr, 30 min
Philadelphia to Detroit: 1 hr, 35 min

Detroit is a winner, right? No. Is everyone overlooking the fact that Detroit is the most dangerous city in America? Its clear that the people making these decisions have never once in their life chaperoned 50 high school students through a large metropolitan environment.

"Violent crime rate: 2,137 per 100,000 residents
The Motor City tops the list of America's Most Dangerous Cities for the fourth straight year thanks to a stubborn problem mostly with gang-related violence. Violent crimes fell 10% last year but are still running five times the national average."
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlj45jggj/1-detroit/

[nrgy_blast]

This is fantastic news! The students I've seen seem to be questioning the 'everyone is a winner' mentality lately, and this is the perfect opportunity to reinflate the theme for at least a generation (4 years) to come! When the next group of students catches on, we can do as another poster suggested and just stop the event with 'super regionals'. In all, I think we can perpetuate this for another 6-8 years before everyone gives up on FIRST all together!

[Brandon_L]

Originally Posted by nrgy_blast

This is fantastic news! The students I've seen seem to be questioning the 'everyone is a winner' mentality lately, and this is the perfect opportunity to reinflate the theme for at least a generation (4 years) to come! When the next group of students catches on, we can do as another poster suggested and just stop the event with 'super regionals'. In all, I think we can perpetuate this for another 6-8 years before everyone gives up on FIRST all together!

This years game has been jokingly referred to as Sr. Jr. FLL, but with this change, it seems like that's exactly where FIRST wants to move FRC.

[MikLast]

Originally Posted by nrgy_blast

This is fantastic news! The students I've seen seem to be questioning the 'everyone is a winner' mentality lately, and this is the perfect opportunity to reinflate the theme for at least a generation (4 years) to come! When the next group of students catches on, we can do as another poster suggested and just stop the event with 'super regionals'. In all, I think we can perpetuate this for another 6-8 years before everyone gives up on FIRST all together!

i cant tell if this is sarcasm or something meant to be positive...

[Carolyn_Grace]

Originally Posted by MissDaisyGirl

I'm going to leave a few things here that basically encompass just part of the feelings I'm having:

Philadelphia to St. Louis: 2 hr, 25 min
Philadelphia to Houston: 3 hr, 30 min
Philadelphia to Detroit: 1 hr, 35 min

Detroit is a winner, right? No. Is everyone overlooking the fact that Detroit is the most dangerous city in America? Its clear that the people making these decisions have never once in their life chaperoned 50 high school students through a large metropolitan environment.

"Violent crime rate: 2,137 per 100,000 residents
The Motor City tops the list of America's Most Dangerous Cities for the fourth straight year thanks to a stubborn problem mostly with gang-related violence. Violent crimes fell 10% last year but are still running five times the national average."
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlj45jggj/1-detroit/

While I'd rather it be another location instead of putting out scare statistics, I'd like to publicly ask the FIRST Detroiters what they think of this development? What does Detroit have to offer teams from around the world and out of state? I'm sure they have a unique perspective.

[MissDaisyGirl]

Originally Posted by Carolyn_Grace

While I'd rather it be another location instead of putting out scare statistics, I'd like to publicly ask the FIRST Detroiters what they think of this development? What does Detroit have to offer teams from around the world and out of state? I'm sure they have a unique perspective.

You are right to put it out to the group and I would not hesitate to visit Detroit on my own in an instant. I'm just pointing out that surely safety has to be a concern. Towards the end there in Atlanta I had a few altercations of my own with our team walking the streets mid-evening. I wouldn't want any recurrence of those types of situations.

[mwmac]

Originally Posted by MissDaisyGirl

I'm going to leave a few things here that basically encompass just part of the feelings I'm having:

Philadelphia to St. Louis: 2 hr, 25 min
Philadelphia to Houston: 3 hr, 30 min
Philadelphia to Detroit: 1 hr, 35 min

Detroit is a winner, right? No. Is everyone overlooking the fact that Detroit is the most dangerous city in America? Its clear that the people making these decisions have never once in their life chaperoned 50 high school students through a large metropolitan environment.

"Violent crime rate: 2,137 per 100,000 residents
The Motor City tops the list of America's Most Dangerous Cities for the fourth straight year thanks to a stubborn problem mostly with gang-related violence. Violent crimes fell 10% last year but are still running five times the national average."
http://www.forbes.com/pictures/mlj45jggj/1-detroit/

But you are missing the obvious attractions: "Each city has been chosen with our visitors in mind and each location – St. Louis, Houston, and Detroit has many opportunities for outdoor and recreational activities, as well as arts and cultural experiences, and simply sightseeing."

Your point is well-stated and I can only surmise that facilities outweighed student safety in the calculus.

Still waiting for FIRST HQ to chime in...come on Frank, we know you are out there...

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by mwmac

Still waiting for FIRST HQ to chime in...come on Frank, we know you are out there...

Not sure exactly who wrote this, but this is the post on the official FRC Blog.

We’ve got big news! Hear from FIRST President Don Bossi about how we plan to deliver the FIRST Championship experience to thousands more young people worldwide – starting in 2017.

That's it.

[mwmac]

Originally Posted by cgmv123

Not sure exactly who wrote this, but this is the post on the official FRC Blog.

I am aware that Mr. Bossi is the lead on the communique. However, Frank seems to be the man taking the measure of the FRC community and responding to its concerns....

[cgmv123]

Originally Posted by mwmac

I am aware that Mr. Bossi is the lead on the communique. However, Frank seems to be the man taking the measure of the First community and responding to its concerns....

That was Frank's blog. Given how short and non-informative the post is, I'm not sure it was written by Frank.

[bduddy]

I think it's pretty obvious that the same people behind the concept of this year's FR_ game are behind this "championship" idea.

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by mwmac

I am aware that Mr. Bossi is the lead on the communique. However, Frank seems to be the man taking the measure of the First community and responding to its concerns....

Frank is the director of FRC, not the greater FIRST community which includes FLL and FTC.

[marshall]

I'm not sure how I feel about all of this at the moment. As a mentor, I have a lot of concerns and I haven't spoken to my students about it yet, which will help me make up my mind. Their input is by far the most valuable.

I did kind of figure that FIRST was going to have to split the big event in two after going through some of the nonsense last year and this year with hotel booking in St Louis. It's just too large for a single city at this point.

I'm just not sure that FIRST have fully thought through this plan but beyond that, it seems like they have left too many questions unanswered at this point. I think what we all want is a state of the union address from Kamen and Co that explains the thought process and the long term plan for FIRST and in particular, for FRC.

There is a lot at play here. From students and safety in a severely poverty stricken city, to an entire generation of FRC students who are becoming mentors, to a non-defensive game this year, to not being able to see some great friends we've met over the years at these events for a while... It's a lot to take in. I also suspect some of the frustration is because of the timing of this announcement.

I'll reserve final judgement and letter writing until after this season is over and the dust has settled but... It's hard for me to buy into the Olympic comparisons they are making when they are talking about having two sets of winners. You can't make everyone a winner... I think it takes away from the inspiration. That being said, two events was going to happen at some point.

[LeelandS]

So I've sat here and read every post on the 16 pages of content in this thread. And it has made me very depressed. Not because of the decision by FIRST. But because of the response by the community. I've seen a lot of downward spiral on Chief in the last few years, so I don't know why I'm surprised anymore.

There are very few people in the CD community who I look to for inspiring words and knowledge on subjects. And here now I see that most of them are saying they are going to leave unless FIRST changes their decision. True, that is their right. If they don't like it, they are obviously not obligated to continue to stay. But these people were my role models. Not any more.

I've never had the luxury of being on a team with the competitiveness or finances to attend worlds every year. \So if the structure changes, what do I know about it? I love FIRST and I will always continue to be a part of it, as long as I am able.

I guess the most disappointing part to me about this whole thread is most of us have spent the last several years since Frank stepped into his position showering social media with phrases like "Good Guy Frank!" or "Frank for President!". A relatively overwhelming positive response. He has shown us consistently that he cares about what we have to say; he shows us that he reads what people post on CD and most often will respond to it in his blog. Frank cares. Frank tries to give us everything we need to have a positive experience. It looks to me like everyone has disregarded this fact and just hopped onto an angry mob mindset. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe Frank will be addressing the concerns of the community in the future.

Yes, it's an interesting change. Yes, I respect it devalues the experience of a world championship event. Yes, I understand that a lot of people are upset they won't get to see friends at world.

Weird, it's almost like we are part of a program that allows us to have an active off-season period that can be just as exciting and enriching as the official season. People have already echoed that IRI will be the "true world championship." That has been said for years now. There are events all over the country where teams come from all over the world to compete. Not just IRI. Chezy champs, Rah Cha Cha Ruckus, Battlycry, MARC. And others. There are options.

[Steven Smith]

Originally Posted by LeelandS

So I've sat here and read every post on the 16 pages of content in this thread. And it has made me very depressed. Not because of the decision by FIRST. But because of the response by the community. I've seen a lot of downward spiral on Chief in the last few years, so I don't know why I'm surprised anymore.

<snip>

People are hurt... it's a big change, and it is scary. Deep down, I'm guessing many of us know that there will be a compromise, a longer term plan, appropriate discussions that get us closer to where we want to be. However in the near term, having the "World Champs" experience we know and love dramatically changed by literally splitting the community into two events... sucks?

And I don't see it to be any more contradictory to be vocal and frustrated at this announcement despite heaping praise onto FIRST/Frank in the last couple years... than to claim that people you have looked to as role models for years are no longer your role models because they are venting their frustration.

Frankly, this just caught a huge number of us by surprise today... and people are reacting. It doesn't mean people are immature, it doesn't mean they "value championship titles over students", or any other over-simplification. The details we were provided were not sufficient to ensure the championship experience we have today will either be maintained, or there is a path to it... so a number of folks are venting their frustration.