Future First Championship News

[Citrus Dad]

I will make a set of more neutral observations. I haven't come to a conclusion one way or another about this change.

I think that FIRST is facing an almost existential decision in the face of its success. The expansion of the FRC championship and moving FTC and FLL out of the Dome are a first step in that process. I expect that FIRST is asking what happens as participation rises and the championship expands. Last year, FIRST already noted that the number of teams qualifying would surpass 600 in short order. They probably believe that more than 600 is simply too large for any one venue. On the other hand, they want teams to have the same probability/opportunity to qualify for a "championship." To accomplish that goal, they decided to split the championship rather than squeeze the qualification criteria. I'm currently agnostic on whether that's the best option but I also understand the importance of maintaining the same incentives for a growing pool of teams. (Interesting work on that economics right now related to growing income equality.)

Not sure if this perspective helps, but maybe we can start a discussion about what should be the goals of FIRST and FRC, and what options are available to meet those. The district/super regional/champs was one, but that tends to narrow the final qualifying pool.

On a side note, I'm not sure shifting from St. Louis to Houston and Detroit really effectively changes many teams travel time. The impact is surely confined entirely to the middle of the U.S. and has no effects on teams on the coasts. Moving to San Jose and Virginia would have been a more distinct shift with real effects.