California District Proposal

[Ed Law]

I don't think there is too much I can add here that was not already covered.

1) 40 teams in a high school gym can be as loud if not louder than in a big arena with 60 teams.

2) I like how close the bleachers in a high school gym are to the playing field. You are close to the action from most seats.

3) My experience is there are a lot of different types of sponsors. I have not run across any sponsors that support teams to write a check because they were impressed with the venue. There are sponsors who cared that your robot does reasonably well because their name is on it. There are sponsors who cared that your team is involved in the community. There are quite a few sponsors who cared that the students learned something that they wouldn't have learned if not for FIRST Robotics. When they hear that the program mimics real world engineering with opportunities to iterate and improve and ultimately succeed, that's when they open their checkbook. That is what district model gives students. 8-10 matches and out for the season is not inspiring no matter how great the venue is.

4) District championship is the same experience as regionals except the robots are more competitive in general so the matches are usually more exciting.

5) I like district events in a high school because you always feel welcome. Most of the time, the high school principal or even school district superintendent is there. They are proud of their school and they want you to have a good experience. Some schools have their cheerleading squad kick things off. Some have their band or singing group for national anthem. They go out of their way to inconvenient their students on Friday to give you the cafeteria, parking and other space. You can bring in your own food or order in food that is much better and more economical than at the regionals that I have attended. Most of what I said here is true for Kettering and other district events at college campus in Michigan also.