Team 1717 retires

[asid61]

I will be sad to see their engineering excellence leave FRC.

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by JDGallagher

I think 2451 has a decent shot at that title.

Heck, I thought they already had it. It's really sad to see 1717 go. They're an amazing team who I've always felt was extremely underrated, and a team I point new members to as an example of a model FRC program. They will be missed.

[cadandcookies]

I'll definitely be missing 1717. D'Penguineers inspired a lot of people, myself included.

I remember attending Champs for the first time in 2012, and waiting for the practice field. We were right behind 1717 in queue, which meant we got to watch them practice. I'm pretty sure they made somewhere around a hundred shots in a row from a variety of positions-- meanwhile, my team was struggling to stay about 75% in autonomous. Watching that robot more than anything at Champs that year opened my eyes to what an FRC robot could be.

[pmangels17]

I was privileged enough to be my team's human player at Champs in 2012, on Newton, and to play against 1717 during quals. All I can remember is the complete and utter awe at 1717's robot that year. I've had the good fortune to see a lot of great robots in person, including 254, 118, 341, 125, 359, 1114, 67, 1640, 225, and so many others that I cannot even count, and yet seeing 1717's swerve drive that year stands out as one of the most "how-are-we-ever-gonna-top-that inspiring" moments in my FIRST career. 1717, you will be missed, thank you for your many years of reminding us that more is always possible.

[waialua359]

For every great program, there is that "one" person or group that creates that vision to excel for others to emulate. That person is Amir Abo-Shaeer. We've crossed paths many times in the past and he is such a positive role model to his students and others around him.
While sad that we wont see 1717 in FRC in the near future, his program and dream lives on inspiring both current and future students. The community of Santa Barbara is so fortunate that he decided to become an educator years ago.

-Glenn

[Darkseer54]

1717 is one of the teams whom I pointed out to my teammates as one of the best in FIRST. (IMO) They have the best designed and manufactured swerve in FRC, and performed incredible tasks every year with a rookie team. They shall be severely missed. I only hope that they can come back as an extracurricular activity.

If not perhaps they can post their CAD models from over the years? One can only hope, and I'm sure many here would appreciate it...

[Rachel Lim]

Although I understand why they chose to find another capstone, I am still sad to hear of this. I've seen 1717 only once in person, at champs this year, and they were both amazing to watch on the field and really friendly when we stopped by their pit, answering many questions about their swerve drive.

When I've explained drivetrains to rookies, I always used videos of 1717, and I will continue to do so. They were amazed by "the robot that can move sideways," and I always was too, even after watching them dozens of times. We'll miss you 1717, and we won't forget you.

[Doug G]

I can understand how this can happen on a "school" based team that delivers a program that attracts more and more students each year. This upcoming year, I am transitioning my team to a purely extra-curricular team as more and more students enroll in the engineering technology pathway courses at our school. Ross is correct, FIRST doesn't scale well within a traditional school that has curricular objectives in which every student needs to meet.

But I don't understand why they can't keep their team as an extra-curricular activity? That seems quite odd and at some point someone had to decide not to pursue this alternative... why?

[MooreteP]

A video of their match in Rebound Rumble vs. the Robonauts.
They are featured briefly at 0:40, shooting into the goal.
It ended in a tie. 71-71

I rode back with them on the train to the airport when I learned that the team was all seniors and that this was their "capstone" project.

Gonna miss D'Penguineers and their unique creations.

I wish Dos Pueblos well in their new endeavors, but I agree with previous posts about the team project aspect that may be lost.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Doug G

Ross is correct, FIRST doesn't scale well within a traditional school that has curricular objectives in which every student needs to meet.

But I don't understand why they can't keep their team as an extra-curricular activity? That seems quite odd and at some point someone had to decide not to pursue this alternative... why?

Good questions.
I can only assume due to constraints (budget, focus, direction of the learning center). I would guess the fact that only seniors were doing it is a big reason to let it go.
I'm not sure I would do FRC either if I only had 1 year for each participating student.

[Tom Ore]

Maybe they're trying to preserve the legacy of 1717 as it was. Maybe a new team will form eventually with a new team #.

[page2067]

For us 1717 served as the epitome of an inspirational team.

2012, (their robot was arguably a best of all time) they were across the aisle from us on Newton. We were not very good there - they were great - we drooled over their swerve. A highlight for us was on the practice field where by chance we were with them and 118, we practiced and achieved a triple balance - who else can say they triple balanced with such great teams?
As I read the New Cool and learned about other teams, we learn that this excellence comes from great processes.

On the bus ride home we decided to develop a swerve, we have used it the past couple years and it has provided great learning opportunity for the team, and a lot of fun. Great teams provide inspiration, Thanks d'Penguineers.

[holazola]

Originally Posted by Tom Ore

Maybe they're trying to preserve the legacy of 1717 as it was. Maybe a new team will form eventually with a new team #.

Ding! I think we have a winner. I very much believe this. To grow his program, Amir has always been obsessed with DPEA's public image. I suspect he won't ever risk that legacy in other's hands.

And, unfortunately I doubt the school will support a new FRC team, even as extra-curricular. I expect every bit of FRC infrastructure and engineering support (professional and volunteer) will be re-purposed into mechatronics (which looks to be a good program - I'm not knocking IT)

We will learn more tomorrow night at a school meeting.

Who am I? An unhappy parent of a current DPEA student.

[sanddrag]

After hearing this news, I am even more glad I had the opportunity to meet so many of them at this year's competition. They are such a wonderful group of people. I fully respect their decision, and I think we've seen only the beginning of great things to come out of Dos Pueblos. I hope they continue to share their successes and progress with the FIRST community in the upcoming years.

[TDav540]

An inspirational team to the local and global community.

I truly hope they come back as an extracurricular. IMO, FRC or FTC would be a great program for the freshman-juniors in the school leading up to the new capstone.

I wish the mentors, parents, and students of 1717 all the best.