UFH: Mike Wade

[Dorienne]

Finally someone I know of! Mr. Wade, you've been such a wonderful example of GP...I've known you for three years and I'm so proud to say I do! Thank you for your infinite contributions to FIRST...you truly are an inspiration to all of us!

--Dorienne Plait from Team 007...the girl you always tease.

[Greg Perkins]

Mike,

it was a pleasure to work with you at York this past year, being new at reffing, your feild was flawless and you did your best to inform the onlookers about the competition all day long. from all the teams you have been on im assuming you know what your doing, so keep it up!

thanks, and congratulations!!!

Greg Perkins

[Steve W]

You really deserve this honor. Mike, from the time I met you, I was glad to see a down to earth guy with the love and passion for FIRST and the students. You are one of those who lives the passion. Congrats!!!!

[Jeremy Roberts]

Congrats Mike. Thanks for the useful advise a week ago in NH. I don't know what FIRST would do without you. Keep up the great work.

[tiffany34990]

Congrats to Mr. Wade another great mentor that truly deserves this award

[Mike Schroeder]

Mike Wade is the person who The UFH was created for,

Mike is probobly one of the best people to have running a Field weather it be FIRST or NASA built, he is a great mentor and one of the people i can only hope to aspire to when it comes to mentoring FIRST teams...

I Remeber the first year we held brunswick eruption, i was the head ref, and in the finals a robot was damaged, and after mike spoke to the crowd and the teams about the rules concerning time outs in the finals, we the team decided to call their time out, when that time ran out, the opposing alliance captain called a time out to graciously give them a fighting chance, when that was up the team was still unable to complete (and their robot was in pieces on the field) and i started freaking out and asked him what i should do, and his told me that it was my discision, and in looking back that was reallly cool he left that big of a discision in the hands of a Highschool student. I of course made the wrong discision, but hey we still had a night 2 vs 2 fight in the finals instead of 2 vs 1 ( and i learned that a nice guy is ussually the one getting yelled at by the crowds )



Thank you Mike for all your hard work and dedication, and to use a phrase that is quite often over used, With out yours or Pete's help, FIRST on the East Coast could not have prospered like it has.

[Rich Kressly]

If you know Mike, you know how much he cares about FIRST, students, and the future. While other people are talking about it, Mike's usually out there somewhere making something happen for a team, a regional, the championship, an off-season competition, on-and-on. Thanks Mike, we could never repay you for all of your efforts.

[OZ_341]

Mike Wade has to be one of the most deserving UFH winners ever!

Way back in the Fall 2002 we were unable to get a FIRST field for Ramp Riot and Mike stepped in to save our event.

He drives up and down the East Coast with his plain white truck full of field parts, helping thousands of kids experience FIRST every year. He has no idea how many lives he has changed.

I am also amazed at his physical energy. This guy never takes a break. At the Maryland State Fair Competition he walked back and forth for three straight days simultaneously running the event and talking to the crowd. He is also just a nice person full of enthusiasm, patience, and a passion for FIRST.

When Mike shows up at your event the most valuable thing you get is NOT the parts in the back of the truck. The most important item is right in the driver’s seat. You get Mike Wade!!!! Our kids truly look up to him and anxiously await his arrival each year.

I am proud to know Mike and extremely THANKFUL for all of the events he supports in this region and across the nation.

On behalf of the students, parents and sponsors of Team 341, Congratulations Mike!!!

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Congratulations, Mike!
It is amazing how many people help move FIRST along and how many come from the east coast. Keep up the good work!

[Rich Wong]

Congrats to Mike Wade, you do so much for so many in FIRST.

[Koko Ed]

In honor of the memory of Mike Wade this thread deserves to be brought back.
Also as a reminder to the kids to nominate your mentors for UFH.
It's more pleasant to shower praise on them while they are still here to enjoy it than to share their memories after they are gone.

I'm glad to see Mike's entry has been placed back onto the page. A fitting tribute.

[OZ_341]

I have already commented here on what Mike has meant to so many of us.

So I just wanted to just say thanks for reviving this thread and for reposting his UFH profile.
Please say a prayer for Mike's wife and family. They did so much for us by allowing Mike to spend time with us!

Al Ostrow