IRI Thanks

[Libby Ritchie]

Well, after a lot of sleeping today, I'm ready to write this long list of thank yous to everyone that made this such a wonderful event!

First of all, thanks to all of the teams that made the 2004 IRI such a great event. The competition level was high and made for a very exciting two days.

BAX Global
THANK YOU! You have been good to us and we appreciate you all so much. We would be in trouble without you guys!!!

Chris Fultz
Thank you for all the work you did! I know you were running around like a crazy man, but it all came together! Great job!

Andy Baker and Refs
What can I say! Although we all know you are such a positive influence to the FIRST community....I must say I have a whole new respect for you. As I watched you and your band perform at the talent show, all I could think was "WOW!" You guys were GOOD!! In addition, you and the ref crew did an awesome job out there on the field. We all help make the IRI happen, but you bring a very special thing to this event...you are loved and admired by many!

Paul Copioli
Thank you for doing another great job of keeping things rolling and making it exciting. Please tell your wife and family thank you for sharing you with us just days after the arrival of a new baby!!

Dan Green:
Thanks for bringing your excitement and experience to the IRI! You and Paul have been so good on the mics! We appreciate it so much!

Josh H. and DJ F.
Hey! The new guys did an awesome job!! I see a future for you guys. Thanks for jumping in and bringing new faces to the announcing side of the IRI. You guys did a wonderful job! Josh...it was fun to see you again. Thanks for making me laugh so much!

Comau Pico & those that worked in the machine shop
Thank you so much for providing the machine shop and the assistance to all the teams that needed help! We appreciate you doing this so much.

Nancy Hoff and the Cyber Blue Parent Crew
What a nice group of people! Thank you for all the time, effort, and worry into the dinner. It was great!!

Team 393 parents
Thank you for your help both with the event as well as with the team!

Team 217 and 447 and others
Thanks for taking care of breakfast on Saturday morning and delivering the carpet.

Marci Cochran
You make me laugh! You are a good friend and I appreciate your friendship.

Dave Scheck and Wildstang
What a great HP game!! Thank you for running this competition. It was fun!!

The Women of Team 71/Marci Cochran
It was fun to be in the talent show with you guys. We weren't THAT bad...were we? You guys are so sweet and I love you to death!! You are a fun group of people! Thanks for the shirt, too!!

Thanks to everyone who performed in the talent show

Jessica B for the fantastic National Anthem both mornings. You have a wonderful voice. Thank you as well for the information on your business classes! We will have to email you and let you know how we do with what we implement at the high school level.

Amanda Morrison
You were awesome and full of energy. Thank you for organizing the UFH, the talent show and just being there with a smile.

Tom, Ken, Brandon, David
You did a great job, as always, with the scoring and field work. Thank you!!

Ken Leung
I just love you!! You bring out the best in people and don't ever apologize for that. You give so much of yourself to others and to the FIRST community and it doesn't go unnoticed!!

Jason and Matt from 234 for the video work, and Perry Meridian for loaning us the equipment

Ryan D.
Great job with the music!!

LNHS and team 1024, Carletta and Mr. Norman
Thank you for the providing an air conditioned school and for providing the concession stand.

Team 818
Thanks for coming down to Indiana!!!

Randy Lam
Thank you for coming! You and your team were so kind. We appreciated all of your help and your kindness.

All of the FIRST people who came to see the IRI!

Collin and Jason for the work with the judges, trophies and putting together the awards slide show.


IPD and Channel 8
It was a lot of fun to have you fly in to let us see the helicopters.

Delphi and Rolls-Royce
THank you for sponsoring Scholarships for our 2004 Seniors.

Team 45 for the electrical work for the pits

All of the students who volunteered to be tour guides

The judges who gave up a bunch of time to be there Friday and Saturday

A fantastic referee crew

Students and adults from team 234, 393 and 45 who set up the field, took it down, reset it after matches and did just about anything that was asked of them.

All of the volunteers who came in from all around the USA to help. Field reset, scoring, team queing, tour guides, pit administration, and on and on

Thanks to those who donated backpacks.

WOW! What a list. There are so many people that make this thing work. Chris, Andy and I hear many compliments about how well we run the event, but really, it's everyone that we simply coordinate that make the IRI a fun, exciting event. It's not just three people...it is MANY people that make it what it is! So, thank you to all!!