2017 Chairman's Hall of Fame Predictions

[snekiam]

Another vote for 503 for North Champs - I believe I'm right in saying they've won the Michigan District Chairman's award every single year that it has been a thing.

[musicgurl1329]

At this rate, I'd be pretty shocked if 2614 didn't win Chairman's in St. Louis. They are the reason FIRST is even in West Virginia. They have provided $34,000 for FLL, FTC & FRC in WV, created & mentored 100+ FIRST teams (I think, can't quite remember), ran the first FRC event in the state and are bringing FIRST to India and Zimbabwe.

That's only what they could fit into their Chairman's video from last year/some info from the website.

[MARS_James]

Originally Posted by musicgurl1329

At this rate, I'd be pretty shocked if 2614 didn't win Chairman's in St. Louis. They are the reason FIRST is even in West Virginia.

I think that Team 337 would take some issue with that since they existed for 8 years prior to 2614, not saying that 2614 isn't amazing but saying they are the reason FIRST is in their state is a little much

Originally Posted by musicgurl1329

They have provided $34,000 for FLL, FTC & FRC in WV, created & mentored 100+ FIRST teams (I think, can't quite remember), ran the first FRC event in the state and are bringing FIRST to India and Zimbabwe.

That's only what they could fit into their Chairman's video from last year/some info from the website.

I feel like the issue that will keep them out isn't something they really have control over, and it is that one of the questions that we were asked is how many FRC teams have we helped start in our state, logically the only answer that 2614 can say is 1, 3492; since they are the only team in the state younger then them. It sucks but until FRC sees a lot of growth in their state as a result of that, I feel that some of the teams going to the same champs as them (11, 503, 1241, 1511, 2056) have a leg up.

[cadandcookies]

For South Champs, I'm going to borrow some words I said about potential winners for this year's Championship Chairman's Award:

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

1311. They are a team which has made incredible progress towards developing and implementing a model to make FIRST available, sustain-ably, via educational programs in their state. This is in addition to starting 30% of the FRC teams in their state, and all the other trimmings of a traditional "Chairman's Team." If you want measurable impact on their community, 1311 has it in spades. Watching their video and reading their essay, the clarity and realism of their vision is impressive. If they don't win it now, they will once they're even further along in implementing their 21st century education model. Anyone interested in team sustainability should talk to these guys and read their essay-- they've clearly put a ton of thought into the problem and I think a lot of people (including, potentially, FIRST HQ) could learn a lot from them.

Originally Posted by cadandcookies

3132, Thunder Down Under. In terms of scale, this team beats everyone. They've worked with their sponsors, school, and FIRST to create a sustainable FIRST program that embraces under-represented groups in their country and around the world. They've built FLL, FTC, and FRC up across their nation and are helping to expand their model around the world. Reading their essay is mind boggling for how much they've accomplished. FIRST for everyone, everywhere, isn't just a phrase in their Chairman's essay, it's clearly at the core of this team.

I would definitely say that those two are the leading contenders in my mind for the South Championship Chairman's Award. I'd expect each of them to rise even further this season, and have been combing social media for more info on what they've been up to. They've both continued to impress, and I would bet on one of them winning the big one in 2017.

North Championship is a bit hairier.

I have a hard time putting any team head and shoulders above the rest compared to South Champs-- there are a lot of very good Chairman's teams (1511, 503, 1885, 525) that I could certainly see pulling out the win, but I can't honestly say I would bet on one or two over the others. I need to get a better handle on what each team has been up to in the offseason in order to have an opinion I would consider well-supported here.

[Lil' Lavery]

FRC 321, The Robolancers. Not only do they have a world class program, they do so in a school district that is chronically underfunded and short on faculty and resources. Where the Philadelphia public schooling system lacks the resources to step up, the Robolancers have become a beacon. And they have a track record of successfully demonstrating that impact, with back-to-back MAR Championship Chairman's Awards. For reference, the two other MAR teams mentioned in this thread have yet to win a single MARCMP Chairman's Award. I have little doubt that 321 will be MAR's 4th Hall of Fame team.

[Link07]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

FRC 321, The Robolancers. Not only do they have a world class program, they do so in a school district that is chronically underfunded and short on faculty and resources. Where the Philadelphia public schooling system lacks the resources to step up, the Robolancers have become a beacon. And they have a track record of successfully demonstrating that impact, with back-to-back MAR Championship Chairman's Awards. For reference, the two other MAR teams mentioned in this thread have yet to win a single MARCMP Chairman's Award. I have little doubt that 321 will be MAR's 4th Hall of Fame team.

Glad to see 321 get mentioned, really an awesome program. I think from MAR them, 1676, 1218, and 1923 are certainly contenders.

[lynca]

North
503 - Frog Force - 10 chairman's, 25 total BBs, huge impact in Michigan and recognition with Governor Snyder.
1511 - Rolling Thunder - 7 chairman's, 13 total BBs, hosts of Rah Cha Cha Ruckus, MEGA Drive.

South
1311 - Kell Robotics - 8 chairman's, 11 total BBs, public policy advocacy, impressive outreach event list.
604 - Quixilver - 9 chairman's, 15 total BBs, large impact from demonstrations
1540 - Flaming Chickens - 7 chairman's, 15 total BBs, BunnyBots