Future First Championship News

[efoote868]

Originally Posted by Carl C

FIRST has already made it clear that teams will be assigned based on geography:

Right, but assigning all 1st place teams to the premier event will not get to 400 teams, so the supplemental teams can be assigned based on geography.

Point is that details are not set in stone, and I trust Frank to do right by us.

[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by audietron

This year's game was the start of something different and in many peoples opinion, "aweful". I think the system of average qualification points is simply taking away from the excitement and competition. This is another level of everyone is a winner. Essentially this is saturating the competition with large amounts of qualifying teams and making it less inspiring and motivating to go to worlds. Several people have pointed out that teams that have been to worlds through winning an award or winning a regional makes them work that much harder next year to do better. After seeing the Poofs at worlds in 2013, it became a passion to go to worlds again and be able to make it farther yet. With more ability to make it to Einstein or simply get picked at worlds, just reduces the inspiration. Not being able to see half of the qualified teams that you may never see in person are now not around to be inspiring.
For some teams this is OK but for what seems to be the majority this is unacceptable.

I've often wondered over the years if the current competition and championship model can be sustained. Most other high school sports don't really have such a championship model.

My solution: Everyone is in districts. Restrict access to champs to the "traditional" 6 teams (maybe even top 10 or 15). Build up district/region championships as a big important "championship" event. Maybe even expand the districts to beyond the geographic extent that they have now. Have a 200-300 team world championship. Move it to Atlanta or Indianapolis. Problem solved.

[Rangel]

Since the venues are already booked, what if we had FRC in one venue and FLL/FTC in the other. As I understand, FLL and FTC already don't have enough teams at champs. I know here in Arizona, we are only able to send a team to championships bi yearly for FLL(Not sure if this has changed). If FTC and FLL had their own venue, they could have more teams that go to their championship event so that it isn't so much of a problem. FLL and FTC have more representation and FRC keeps its world championships. What does everyone else think about this?

[efoote868]

Originally Posted by KeeganP

they won't get the full "championship experience" because they won't get to see the best of the best teams compete.

Nothing prevents teams or individuals from showing up to the championship event as spectators.

edit: I hope you all realize I mean FIRST rules - championship is free and open to the public.

[jman4747]

Originally Posted by Rangel(kf7fdb)

Since the venues are already booked, what if we had FRC in one venue and FLL/FTC in the other. As I understand, FLL and FTC already don't have enough teams at champs. I know here in Arizona, we are only able to send a team to championships bi yearly(Not sure if this has changed). If FTC and FLL had their own venue, they could have more teams that go to their championship event so that it isn't so much of a problem. FLL and FTC have more representation and FRC keeps its world championships. What does everyone else think about this?

This I feel would be better to an extent. I think it should be combined with having districts everywhere as well.

[Matt_Boehm_329]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Nothing prevents teams or individuals from showing up to the championship event as spectators.

Except money, vacation time, and convincing a school district to allow a team to go to just watch

[connor.worley]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Nothing prevents teams or individuals from showing up to the championship event as spectators.

Except, you know, cost.

[mwmac]

Originally Posted by Carl C

FIRST has already made it clear that teams will be assigned based on geography:



This is probably preferable over sending the 3rd picks from Michigan to the Houston Champtionship.

Now I am waiting to see how the 2017 Championship assignments will work in our favor monetarily. Will the trailer get dragged to Houston (1939 miles) or Detroit (1963 miles) vs. St. Louis (1626 miles)? Already counting the money Tators will save with this change...

Seems like a coin flip is in our future...

[madhav]

Originally Posted by Andrew Lawrence

While we're talking venues, the new Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is awefuly nice...

Do I get a free pair of pants?

[Alyssa]

"We are excited about the prospect of two Championship events, but understand it comes with its share of challenges and concerns from our Community. We value your feedback, and it will be helpful to us as we delve into the planning process in the coming months and years. Stay tuned for updates, and please continue to share your constructive thoughts with us as we move forward. Thank you!"

FIRST just posted this as a comment to the video on their FaceBook page...

[KeeganP]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Nothing prevents teams or individuals from showing up to the championship event as spectators.

Totally in agreement there in respect to the idea. The event is free and open to anyone to attend.

Sadly, for most teams getting to the venue is expensive, especially those coming from outside the US, or even the East/West Coasts. I don't doubt that some teams currently do attend champs even though they don't qualify, but I highly doubt that those paying to travel to the "weak" champs event will then turn around and travel back out to the "strong" champs event.

It's a great idea, and in theory it works well, but in reality there is a cost to going to championships, even if you aren't competing.*

*unless you live in St. Louis, or the immediately surrounding area

[Landonh12]

Originally Posted by Rangel(kf7fdb)

Since the venues are already booked, what if we had FRC in one venue and FLL/FTC in the other. As I understand, FLL and FTC already don't have enough teams at champs. I know here in Arizona, we are only able to send a team to championships bi yearly for FLL(Not sure if this has changed). If FTC and FLL had their own venue, they could have more teams that go to their championship event so that it isn't so much of a problem. FLL and FTC have more representation and FRC keeps its world championships. What does everyone else think about this?

This is what I was imagining when I first heard about this. I assumed that since FIRST was spreading to more venues in St. Louis (Union Station), this was a way to seperate FRC/FTC/FLL Championships.

[madhav]

Originally Posted by Eugene Fang

No worries. It won't rain in California.

I think we need it though

[Carl C]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Nothing prevents teams or individuals from showing up to the championship event as spectators.

I have traveled to championships both as a participant (in 2011) and as a spectator (in 2014). Personally, I found the experience to be quite different and I am very happy to be coming as a participant again this year.

[Matt_Boehm_329]

I do have a question about how this will effect international teams. It would seem easier to sell attending THE World Championship than attending A Championship event to sponsors and administrators.