QotW 09-07-03: Watershed.

[Madison]

In its short history, the growth of FIRST has been extraordinary. With that growth, we've all seen new teams, new ideas, and new methods of dealing with each of them.

Question of the Week 09-07-03: What do you consider to be some of FIRST's watershed moments? What's happened that really shook things up and made you take a second glance at something or think twice?

[sanddrag]

The snow-storm at the end of the build of 2003. The time extension was a monument in FIRST history. Here in California, we never think about the weather but when something like this happens, you realize there are things you take for granted that others struggle for.

[EddieMcD]

Originally posted by M. Krass
In its short history, the growth of FIRST has been extraordinary. With that growth, we've all seen new teams, new ideas, and new methods of dealing with each of them.

Question of the Week 09-07-03: What do you consider to be some of FIRST's watershed moments? What's happened that really shook things up and made you take a second glance at something or think twice?

Let's see, nationals at Epcot, alliances, the entire 2001 game, a game that was actually simple to score (2002), nationals in Houston, and now a three year reign in Atlanta. And that's just from the competition point of view. We've had teams come, teams go, and we're at 800, with an estimated 1500 by kickoff. Regionals are going to be packed. We have more off season events then ever (despite no more Rumble ) The rulebooks are getting quite big too. It used to be FIRST would put out a couple of updates a season. We had 18 this year. And there are still some rules that are unclear (i.e., what counts as intentional flipping). FIRST is growing. FIRST has been growing. We've accumulated some problems, but we've also accumulated a hell of a lot of solutions (lousy teeter-totter).

So to answer your question, prettymuch anything that happens in FIRST makes me take a second glance at something. I wouldn't have it any other way.