IRI Possible dates

[David Kelly]

Hey all!

We are in charge of hosting the Indiana Robotics Inviational (IRI) this year. What teams would be interrested in attending the IRI in Indianapolis on the weekend of Septemper 6 and 7? We realize that we may be competing with the FORD Sweet Repeat and the Kettering Kickoff. How many teams would be interrested in attending this event? We would like to have a strong Indiana and Michigan turnout. Please respond soon so we can get an idea if this is a good time to host this event. This will be a 2 day event in order to get in at least 7 matches. You get more bang for your buck.


This is the event that was formerly in Kokomo, IN. It most likely looks like it will be held at Perry Meridian High School in Indianapolis

[ColleenShaver]

What about a strong Massachusetts turnout?!

Sept 6-7 may be a little late for us, already back in school and all... plus that's usually the weekend RiverRage is up here.

Some of us were hoping to come again, just at least mid-august or so....

[David Kelly]

We would LOVE to see teams from Mass. They always have strong teams there. Any thoughts from anyone else?

[Clark Gilbert]

Hmm.....September=bad

I have a feeling being at such an early time in our school year that the school board wont let us out of school....

Also i'm sure there would be plenty of other teams with this problem...

[Ricky Q.]

We (Team #269) were planning on attending, but that September 6-7 date proabably wouldnt work, since it is the first week of school, and I don't think itd be that super of an idea to start missing days. Back it up a week or two and I think ya have a great date.

[Jeff Waegelin]

Some schools start in August, and lots of people go away on Labor Day, so the second-to-last week of August through about the second weekend in September are probably not good weeks. Earlier in August or later in September would probably be better.

[Katie Reynolds]

I don't think Sept. 6-7 will work very well for a lot of teams. I know that is the first week of school here and I don't think the school board will like us very much if we say "Hey, we're missing school already for a FIRST thing!" Usually school starts on a Wednesday or Thursday too... so that probably won't work. Any other dates? Maybe sometime in late July, early August?

- Katie

[David Kelly]

note: this is NOT the officail date for the IRI. we are just seeing what other teams think about it. from what it looks like now is that it's not a good time. keep posting and we'll do some work on our side.

[Chris Hibner]

I could almost guarantee that our team could not make it in September. There are too many problems working around school schedules (not just the students' schedules, but class starts for me after Labor Day as well). The only reason we can make it to the Sweet Repeat is because it is only 30 miles away.

Please make it during the summer months. I really want to go back to the IRI since I had a great time last year. Also, I would like to get a shot at defending the championship.

[David Kelly]

the way it looks now is that it will NOT take place in september. we wouldn't get the team turnout that we were expecting. looks like it will be mid july. we have a facility that we are working on right now. it should get the thumbs up!!

keep posting and checking up on us. we'll keep you posted on all happenings

[SGopwani]

I really liked the timing of it last year, i think it was the early summer. Team 469 is defintely hoping to attend a couple invitationals, and IRI was personally my favorite last year because of the competition, but a lot of the same teams i think attended Ford Sweet Repeat and Kokomo last year, so it might be a good idea to at least avoid the same weekend.
Just some thoughts,
Sumeet

[Don]

When exactly are you guys going to come up with the details? The sooner the better. Our team might be interested in attending.

[David Kelly]

Hopefully, we'll know the location and date by mid to end of this week. the facility that we are looking at is supposed to get back to us by then

[E Jones 234]

well, i think my team might be attending... whenever it is we will probably be there.

[Andy Baker]

From what I hear out of the CyberBlue camp, the plans for this year's "Indiana Robotics Invitational" are coming together.

Sure, it's being moved from the quaint villiage of Kokomo to the bustling metropolis of Indianapolis, and the play date is being moved to mid-summer (do I hear mid-July??)... but it's still the IRI!!!

This year, instead of the TechnoKats running things, team CyberBlue from Perry Meridian HS and Rolls-Royce will be leading the organizational effort... buy many other Indiana teams are involved. The TechnoKats will still be helping out with getting things set up, along with the Full Metal Jackets from 393. Also, various other teams will be working together to get a top-notch field constructed for this much-anticipated event.

Also... you gotta get this... the IRI most likely will be held at an east-side Indianapolis high school who will be a rookie NEXT YEAR! This location is sweet, air conditioned, and possibly even bigger than last year's location (Kokomo's Memorial gym).

I think that it's pretty cool that all of these Indiana teams are coming together to put this event on and it's going to be held at a future rookie's location.

I don't want to spill the beans too much here, but I KNOW that there is some heavy duty anticipation about the upcoming IRI and the buzz is beginning to be heard.

David Kelly will surely post the details soon once the location and date is verified and he can give you more specifics.

Sincerely,
Andy B.