Team Support Organizations by State

[Billfred]

Of the 41 teams in South Carolina this year:

-8 (19.5%) list multiple schools or a school district (281, 283, 343, 1102, 1293, 1553, 3489, 4083)
-2 (4.9%) list 4-H (4452, 4901)
-1 (2.4%) lists "Neighborhood Group" (4965)
-30 (73.2%) list precisely one school in their team name (everyone else)

For the early years of my involvement, the multi-school team was definitely more in vogue. Three of the four teams I've been on have been multi-school teams (1293 and, at the time, 2815 were school district teams, 4901 is 4-H; only the defunct 1618 was one school), and all of them have shown challenges in getting kids from the further-flung schools in the district. 1293 definitely skews towards one geographic end but still gives it the college try, while 2815 converted to single-school after the school behind 3976 spun off.

Why's it that way? I think a few factors are in play. First, teachers seem to prefer it this way more (district infighting can be a thing, travel between schools is a thing, scheduling is a thing, branding is a thing...). Second, I do think FRC has gotten more accessible with the rise of COTS parts; you don't need to find a big machining sponsor or as many engineering mentors to have a prayer (at least on the regional level). I know of at least two Palmetto Regional winners with no engineering degrees on the roster, so there's hope yet!