How do you think FIRST should select divisions?

[Natchez]

Do you have a different way that you would divide the teams amongst Newton, Archimedes, Curie, & Galileo that FIRST might prefer to the methods used in the past?

I would like for FIRST to pursue a method that would

1) Consciously divide the current year's talent amongst the divisions
2) Allow for "number-neighbors" to be in the same division

After a lengthy discussion with my brother and nephew about the past system that allows for divisions to be lopsided strength-wise and does not allow "number-neighbors" (ex. 65, 66, & 67 or 179 & 180) to be in the same division, we decide to tackle the problem mathematically.

We developed a spreadsheet (attached ... must right click, Save Target As & then open locally) that would put each team into one of many "hats" based on their Championship "R" Value that is derived from a team's current year seeding at regionals. Furthermore, the formula for calculating "R" places more weight on the later regionals. After all of the teams are placed into "hats", the teams would be randomly and equally pulled from each hat to fill the divisions. Therefore, an equal number of "hat 1" teams would be in each division; likewise with "hat 2" teams and so on. Picking from a "hat" would allow number-neighbors to be in the same division but would definitely not guarantee it.

In summary, the calculation of the "R" value satisfies objective #1 and selection from the hats satisfies objective #2.

Admittedly, there are other features that could be included such as a strength-of-regional factor. If FIRST wants to pursue a system that someone proposes, I'm sure my BROTHER would be more than happy to implement it.

What do you think?,
Lucien