How many teams in 2005?

[Marc P.]

Originally Posted by Ryan Foley

350 was inactive in both 2002 and 2003. We came back in 2004 as 350. I think that as long as you make sure FIRST doesnt delete you from their database, you can keep the number. A good idea is if you go inactive, let FIRST know you intend on returning.

As long as you have the email address (team ID) and password of the mentor/leader in charge of registration in TIMS, you can technically register the same number. Many of the veteran teams who had to re-register as rookies lost the person in charge of registration, or dramatically changed team structure (changed affiliation with school, sponsor, etc.), and registered a new number as a new team. I don't believe FIRST cleans out the database of old teams, so conceivably any team registered in TIMS can be re-registered, provided the correct contact information/email/password is provided. This means any veteran teams on a hiatus may and hopefully will return next year, and spend this season fund raising and practicing.

Just remember the competitions are open to the public, so even if your team is taking a year off, it doesn't mean you or your team can't come to the events anyway! Show up and become surrogate members of another team, or just check out the 'bots and cheer everyone on. There's still plenty of good times to be had, even if you don't have a robot!