New York Districts?

[Brian Maher]

Originally Posted by bdaroz

Disclaimer: Rookie Mentor / Rookie Team

One of the things I did really enjoy at the Tech Valley Regional was that we were able to have teams such as 48 (How many safety vests do you guys own?!) from Ohio, 4481 (is it a requirement that all team members be 6' 4" or taller?) from the Netherlands, 359 (Mahalo) from Hawaii, not to mention several others from outside our area.

From what I read it looks like when you go to a district format the only teams eligible to play in that district are from within the geographical area of the district.

Don't get me wrong, I think the ability to have 2 events without an egregious amount of travel (or cost) is a great thing, but being able to expand the teams we play does add a "flair" to the event. (If you were at NYTVR you'd know just how.. uh... "quiet" 4481 was. )

The Tech Valley Regional was the first regional I've ever attended. I had a great time, and it was really cool to be able to compete with the likes of 359, 48, 4481, etc.

That being said, I was a student for four years in the MAR district. My team here (2791) is paying $5000 for TVR and $4000 for FLR. My high school team is paying $5000 for TWO district events and $4000 for District Championship (if they qualify). Not only are they GUARANTEED two events, they get them for the same price as 2791's first. Additionally, the quality of play and competition at a District Championship is only rivaled by CMP and the most competitive of regionals.

Having a second event gives chances to iterate on design and strategy, allowing students to better experience the engineering process. Districts events are almost always smaller than regionals (30-40 teams vs 40-60), allowing each team more qualification matches (12 in districts vs 8-12 in regionals) and giving a greater percentage of teams a chance to compete in playoffs and win awards.

The district point system does a better job of qualifying consistently strong teams for CMP, even if those teams don't necessarily win an event. Rather than qualifying the best, second best, and 24th best team (and culture awards), it qualifies the District Championship winners (and culture awards), and the top however many teams in the district.

While the lack of travel teams is a drawback of districts, this has been improved by allowing inter-district play. It's only really an issue as long as FIRST lets it be an issue.

I enjoyed the Tech Valley Regional, but I really do believe the benefits of districts for teams are overwhelming compare to the regional model.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by BMSOTM

The Tech Valley Regional was the first regional I've ever attended. I had a great time, and it was really cool to be able to compete with the likes of 359, 48, 4481, etc.

That being said, I was a student for four years in the MAR district. My team here (2791) is paying $5000 for TVR and $4000 for FLR. My high school team is paying $5000 for TWO district events and $4000 for District Championship (if they qualify). Not only are they GUARANTEED two events, they get them for the same price as 2791's first. Additionally, the quality of play and competition at a District Championship is only rivaled by CMP and the most competitive of regionals.

Having a second event gives chances to iterate on design and strategy, allowing students to better experience the engineering process. Districts events are almost always smaller than regionals (30-40 teams vs 40-60), allowing each team more qualification matches (12 in districts vs 8-12 in regionals) and giving a greater percentage of teams a chance to compete in playoffs and win awards.

The district point system does a better job of qualifying consistently strong teams for CMP, even if those teams don't necessarily win an event. Rather than qualifying the best, second best, and 24th best team (and culture awards), it qualifies the District Championship winners (and culture awards), and the top however many teams in the district.

While the lack of travel teams is a drawback of districts, this has been improved by allowing inter-district play. It's only really an issue as long as FIRST lets it be an issue.

I enjoyed the Tech Valley Regional, but I really do believe the benefits of districts for teams are overwhelming compare to the regional model.

You've made some great points, most of which I agree with.
We came to this event for 3 main reasons: 1. Scheduling 2. NASA originally offered up to 10 veteran grants of which they gave none. 3. Because we may never ever be able to compete here again.

We have had the privilege to compete in many places around the US in the past, that we are no longer privy to. At some point, we'll have none other than the Hawaii event. When that eventually happens, based on the current rules, it would be time to retire our program and find something else. I cant see Hawaii ever following a District model because all of the teams are not on the same island. Having to fly to your own State's event presents the same challenges/expenses as if we were traveling to the U.S. mainland.
Team 1056 is an example of a Hilo team that is currently competiting in the Sacramento regional, and not even doing their own home event on another island.

[SpaceBiz]

Originally Posted by waialua359

You've made some great points, most of which I agree with.
We came to this event for 3 main reasons: 1. Scheduling 2. NASA originally offered up to 10 veteran grants of which they gave none. 3. Because we may never ever be able to compete here again.

We have had the privilege to compete in many places around the US in the past, that we are no longer privy to. At some point, we'll have none other than the Hawaii event. When that eventually happens, based on the current rules, it would be time to retire our program and find something else. I cant see Hawaii ever following a District model because all of the teams are not on the same island. Having to fly to your own State's event presents the same challenges/expenses as if we were traveling to the U.S. mainland.
Team 1056 is an example of a Hilo team that is currently competiting in the Sacramento regional, and not even doing their own home event on another island.

Not to derail the conversation, but hopefully there will always be a decent quantity of regionals so that teams can form in other countries, and like Australia, can eventually have their own regional. I think FIRST will have to make a way so that if a team can fly, they can compete nearby. (or drive, but it doesn't rhyme) You might be allowed to compete at district events outside of your district. (as a district team, I am not sure this if this is currently allowed for regional teams, but as regionals expand, I am sure it will be allowed)

[FlamingSpork]

Originally Posted by Sperkowsky

Let's try to stay off the dcmp topic that pretty much was the reason this thread derailed. Bottom line who knows who let's get this ball rolling.

Sorry. I really just wanted an excuse to make a map.

[Collin Fultz]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Stop talking on Chief Delphi, and start working with your planning committees to figure out what challenges remain.

Sean's point is key. You can't make this transition without the full support of the current leadership in the region. They have what the state needs to be successful in this endeavor: experience, volunteers, sponsors, etc.

Work along side them, not against them.

Good luck!

[kbrowncny]

Start looking at Central NY - Utica area. I know SUNY IT is there and they are heavily involved with FTC. I would be surprised if some passionate individual couldn't get a FRC team going there. There are also plenty of potential corporate sponsors: Indium, Special Metals, SUNY IT NANO Tech facility etc. I grew up in this area and its disappointing to see that no FRC teams have popped up since.

In this area hotels are very cheap, it is also a good central location 3 hrs from Rochester, 4 hrs from NYC, 4 hrs to northern NY. 5 hrs from Buffalo.

[Dominick Ferone]

Originally Posted by kbrowncny

Start looking at Central NY - Utica area. I know SUNY IT is there and they are heavily involved with FTC. I would be surprised if some passionate individual couldn't get a FRC team going there. There are also plenty of potential corporate sponsors: Indium, Special Metals, SUNY IT NANO Tech facility etc. I grew up in this area and its disappointing to see that no FRC teams have popped up since.

In this area hotels are very cheap, it is also a good central location 3 hrs from Rochester, 4 hrs from NYC, 4 hrs to northern NY. 5 hrs from Buffalo.

We have a team at SUNY.It's a regional one.

[pfreivald]

If you want this to happen, then volunteer. Go to your RPC--contact Glen Pearson and Ana Martinez, respectively--and don't tell them that you want districts, ask them, "what can I do to help make districts a reality in New York next year?"

And then do those things, and recruit others to do those things.

My impression for several years now has been that lots of people say they want districts in New York, but very few of them are putting in any time or effort to make it happen.

Want it? Go get it.