What do you need to start a team?

[Keith Chester]

That's a question that 25 has been asking itself for the past couple of years. So far we've succesfully started and mentored 1089 through a successful rookie season for them. Our new project RINOS aims to address this.

If you are attempting to start a new team, find a teacher willing to give up all his free time afterschool, and many hours during, to the project. Find one that's willing to wrestle with even the most bearucratic adminstration.

You need at least ONE experienced mentor, and of this, at least ONE experienced student. The student can connect to the students on the other team much easier.

You need only ONE person with any technical knowhow. Not a requirement, but it helps.

ONE super dedicated student is required ON the team, not from a mentoring team.

Sponsors COULD be a requirement, but not neccessarily so. Some teams get by with just fundraising. Just make sure the rookie team is well on their way in fundraising and badgering for sponsors.

Make sure the team gets well known early. We had 1089 make their name by doing a fundraiser at our off season, Brunswick Eruption.

The major obstacle of course is the money. It's never the same situation twice, and always a stickler, even for veterans. This is where the veterans who pull as many strings as possible and use all their contacts up come in handy.

If you're starting a rookie team though and need help along the way, let us at 25 know. Wayne C and I are the ones to contact.