Are you a MAVERICK?

[Sam Lipscomb]

FIRST started in New England...fact. Best regionals in Mid-Atlantic states...opinion.

Connecticut is definitely part of New England more so than any Mid-Atlantic section. And even though I'm from Virginia...I'm a NERD to the max!

Pretty websites don't prove a thing.

[Rick TYler]

Originally Posted by Corey Balint

Eh, Rhode Island is on a parallel to NY.
CT is part of the Tri-State area, therefore since two-thirds of the tristate area is already in, and is also commonly called a Mid-Atlantic state, included they are.

I don't know from your elitist group, but Connecticut is definitely part of New England. Connecticut is not, and never has been "mid-Atlantic." You don't get to redefine geographical areas to suit your whim.

Of course, everything east of Denver is all pretty much the same...

[Dillon Compton]

See, since CT is so close to Mid-Atlantic, it would have been mean to not include them...I mean, NERD is just...not as good.

Proud PA Maverick, signing on.


EDIT: The above comments were entirely jesting, guys. I apologize if I offended anyone, but come on, I was born and raised in CT, if anything I've got more pride for that region than for PA, even if all my FIRST experience has been in the mid-atlantic and nats. I got some negative rep for this post, and I guess I didnt communicate the sarcasm well enough... but seriously! the majority of this thread is good-natured heckling! Learn to enjoy life, and not take every little post so gosh-darned seriously! I'm sure MAVERICK and NERD can work together happily!

[Jessica Boucher]

Please realize that by banding together in this fashion you have now anointed this...gathering as the voice for the entire mid-atlantic region. Do all the teams in your region feel the same way you do? I hope so, because like it or not your attitude, words, and objectives are painting quite a picture of a region that I cared about. Is this what your teams are teaching you? Is this what your sponsors are paying for?

This sour attitude is disheartening. There is a fine line between self-pride and attempting to feel good about ones self by hurting others. Is that gracious? professional? Isn't that why we moved towards alliances in the first place?

You all have been in the program too long to miss that message.

[Jaine Perotti]

Originally Posted by Corey Balint

Eh, Rhode Island is on a parallel to NY.
CT is part of the Tri-State area, therefore since two-thirds of the tristate area is already in, and is also commonly called a Mid-Atlantic state, included they are.

Does this mean that I can be both a NERD and a MAVERICK?

I agree with what Andy has already said here. I also believe that both NERD and MAVERICK have a lot of potential to form an alliance that would end up strengthening the whole East Coast. Just like the East Coast Drivers Union exists to unite East Coast drive teams, an East Coast Alliance between organizations such as NERD and MAVERICK could help strengthen the presence of Eastern teams at their respective regionals and the Championship.

I think it would be very beneficial if, at the least, both of these groups agreed to communicate about their goals, and share how they would like to achieve them. All of our ideas can come together in order to form a more united East Coast presence. If more east coast regions decide to form organizations such as NERD and MAVERICK, they should be welcomed into the East Coast Alliance, instead of making them feel as if they have to "beat" the other organizations. If we can share our ideas on how to strengthen our respective regions, the effect we can have as an organization will be greatly amplified.

There are a few posts here that, as Jessica said, sound like there are some bad feelings surrounding NERD vs. MAVERICK.

...I mean, NERD is just...not as good.

I don't think statements like this are really helping NERD or MAVERICK do their job. I think that both organizations need to respect and help each other. Think of these organizations as something that will strengthen East Coast FIRST teams, not as seperate entities meant to "outdo" each other. I think we NERDs should work with MAVERICKS so that we can both help east coast teams perform better. Please stay positive... slight competition is ok, but it is important for us to remain unified so that we can help raise the bar for each other, and make everyone benefit.

NERD already is planning on having AIM chats to communicate our ideas about how to run the group. Perhaps we can schedule some online chats for both NERD and MAVERICK to talk, so that we can discuss our goals, and how we can help each other achieve them.

-- Jaine

[Bill Moore]

Originally Posted by Andrew Blair

From the site:

"One Day a Maverick will kick some Nerd's $@#$@#$@#"

I think I like this... Like I like brutally offensive defense!

I think I don't like this. It makes this group sound like a bunch of drunk sailors, just out looking for a fight. It is disrespectful to fellow FIRSTers, and it should not be on a site that is promoting regional pride. Building up your group by disrespecting another probably isn't one of FIRST's ideals.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

Originally Posted by Corey Balint

NERDS will always be FIRST, not gonna deny that, but so will MAVERICKS.
But the real question is where are the best regionals? Down here in good ol' MAVERICK territory.

NE teams have been going down to the NJ regional for years. So, the way I see it, you guys have always had the homefield advantage! Why don't you come up to the UTC NE Regional next year for a real game.

[Dillon Compton]

In response: I would have thought y'all would know better! I was actually entirely joking- I'm glad that MAVERICK exists because I'm mad jealous of NERD. If NERD opened it's arms to me, i'd be in 100%

I think alot of this "sourness", as it has been called, is good natured heckling- Honestly, if we were seriously going to egotistically, rudely, and generally sillily tout our region as the best one around, I'd hope we'd do it a little more effectively, and with a little more class.

Organizations such as these do inspire regional pride, and they are fun, methinks, and I agree that together they hold the chance to strengthen the east coast, and FIRST, as a cohesive unit, but I do think y'all are taking these comments a bit too seriously.

As I've said before, many a time; It is not the time, the place, the robot, or the sponsors that matter. It is not what fancy equipment you have access to, nor the size of your budget; FIRST is about people - students and mentors - working together to change themselves, and through that, the world.

I hope that MAVERICK and NERD are both entities that will help enact a positive change in the community, the members of the relevant organizations, and the world at large. I also hope that everyone on this thread learns to take a good-natured joke.

And, I know I will get castrated for this, but Chief Delphi is not life; just because we tease on here does not mean that we are individuals or teams lacking in GP in a more...tangible sense.

Good luck to all this season, and remember, laughing (and jokes!!!) are a good thing!

-Dillon Compton
Team 1394

[Andy Grady]

Originally Posted by Dillon Compton

In response: I would have thought y'all would know better! I was actually entirely joking- I'm glad that MAVERICK exists because I'm mad jealous of NERD. If NERD opened it's arms to me, i'd be in 100%

I think alot of this "sourness", as it has been called, is good natured heckling- Honestly, if we were seriously going to egotistically, rudely, and generally sillily tout our region as the best one around, I'd hope we'd do it a little more effectively, and with a little more class.

Organizations such as these do inspire regional pride, and they are fun, methinks, and I agree that together they hold the chance to strengthen the east coast, and FIRST, as a cohesive unit, but I do think y'all are taking these comments a bit too seriously.

As I've said before, many a time; It is not the time, the place, the robot, or the sponsors that matter. It is not what fancy equipment you have access to, nor the size of your budget; FIRST is about people - students and mentors - working together to change themselves, and through that, the world.

I hope that MAVERICK and NERD are both entities that will help enact a positive change in the community, the members of the relevant organizations, and the world at large. I also hope that everyone on this thread learns to take a good-natured joke.

And, I know I will get castrated for this, but Chief Delphi is not life; just because we tease on here does not mean that we are individuals or teams lacking in GP in a more...tangible sense.

Good luck to all this season, and remember, laughing (and jokes!!!) are a good thing!

-Dillon Compton
Team 1394

Dillon,

I agree with you that sometimes people take things too seriously on these boards and that there are many times when people do have to learn to take a joke. However, you also must understand that everything that you type out on here, or put on a website isn't always understood as a joke...there is no sarcasm/joke button on the Chief Delphi Forums. When someone creates a website with the phrase "One day a MAVERICK is going to kick a NERD's @#$%" that can raise a few eyebrows the wrong way...especially when what we are trying to do is create some enthusiasm in an area that frankly could use some. Believe me...I love the idea that the mid-atlantic region would want to make a similar faction to NERD...I really do hope that it works out for you guys, because up in New England, we have been having a blast with this. All I am saying is that what you guys right now are seeing as a joke, we are taking pretty seriously up here because those who are involved at the moment, really do care about what is going on with New England and NERD.

I hope that we can all just calm down and relax and just have fun with this. That was the initial intent of NERD, and I hope MAVERICK as well...and like Jaine said in a previous post...maybe we can all join up some day, share ideas, and focus our energy on the true enemy....the midwest!

disclaimer: the last statement was a joke

-Andy Grady

[looneylin]

Yay Maverick! I'm in.

Ooooo! Can I design buttons for it!?!

[The Lucas]

Originally Posted by Andy Grady

and focus our energy on the true enemy....the midwest!

disclaimer: the last statement was a joke

-Andy Grady

You just know there are some Midwest CDers trying to think of a good acronym that starts with M.W.
If they ever think of one we will have a real regional battle at hand.

[Corey Balint]

I can only make a quick post right now, but for all of you thinking this was a post to mock or make a mean rivalry with anyone is not the true point, as Andy said, we made this to have fun, and to teach. Alot of the work that we will do, like NERD is behind the scenes, not on Delphi.

I dont see why i should be apologizing, but for anyone that took offense, Sorry then...right now, if you are looking at this negatively, calm down...jeez. It is only for fun.

[Elgin Clock]

I am from CT, so I live in N.E.R.D. territory.

I compete with my team in both CT, NJ, and new for this year; MD, so I compete in both N.E.R.D. and M.A.V.E.R.I.C.K. territory.

Although the N.E.R.Ds are not M.A.V.E.R.I.C.Ks by name, there is no such reason we can't come together as one and share ideas.

-Elgin
(NERD #? & MAVERICK #7).

[Corey Balint]

Exactly Elgin.

Nerds and Mavericks should and definitely will join together in the future.
Nothing I have posted was meant to start a mean rivalry, if anything just a fun little joking thing.

[Andrew Blair]

Eh-hem..Just me back on my soapbox...

This is quite obviously simply a play on N.E.R.D., prolly a little left-outedness, and most importantly, a fun little, probably short lived group in our ever evolving community. Most of the maverick stuff is simply a play on the acronym! You can't tell me that mid-Atlantic FIRSTer's are going to beat the crap out of a Nerd because he's got a black t-shirt. There's been nerds in FIRST for a long, long time (me included), and they've stayed safe.

The East Coast Drivers Union exists, but it really didn't do anything(EDIT-outwardly, but it did connect many team members, and create friendships. Again, all good!) . If rivalry could make it in FIRST, then there would be teams showing lots of animosity towards better and bigger teams already. It just can't go anywhere.

(Besides, there's probably more N.E.R.D.s who can ride horses in New England than the Mid Atlantic. Equestrians you know. )