Qualifying For the 2005 Nationals

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Wayne C.

To Revive an Old Thread-
Now that FIRST has announced a new price increase they must be thinking about the 2005 season-
I repeat- does anybody have any definitive information from FIRST as to the method for qualification for the National Championships for 2005?
Is FIRST planning to announce this anytime soon?
WC

Ok, Wayne and everyone else. Nothing has been released as of a "new" system for 2005. But, in last years release on this issue, FIRST said:

For 2004 and beyond, a select number of Championship spots each year will be available for open registration. These slots will be based on the number of years since a team last attended the Championship. All teams will be classified in a Tier (ie. Tier 6 equals six years since attending a Championship or last attended in 1998; Tier 2 equals two years since attending or attended in 2002). If the number of teams in a tier is greater than the number of available slots, FIRST will use a lottery system for teams within each tier to determine eligibility for the remaining open slots. The final determination will be first come/first serve until all available openings are filled. A wait list will be maintained for any openings that become available after the close of registration. Typically 10 to 15 openings occur during the Competition season.
Teams can access the year they last attended the Championship in the Team Information and Management System used for registration. Teams that are qualified to register will have access to Championship registration starting noon Eastern time on October 22, 2003. Please note that only teams that Prequalify and teams in Tiers 3 - 6 will be able to register as of the 22nd. FIRST will open registration to teams in Tier 2 on November 5, 2003. Information on Tier 1 and Rookie Tier registration will be made available at a future date. The year each team last attended the Championship is part of TIMS and your team should verify that information prior to the opening of Championship registration.

So, I am assuming nothing, only guessing that a new tier system will be the only system that is set into place going by that quote which by the way, can be found on THIS PAGE on FIRST's website.