Nationals & Rookies

[Kims Robot]

This is still one of the things that irks me hugely. After the quality of the rookie teams in 2005, I would have thought FIRST would have realized that Rookies should be as eligible if not more (since they have never gone!) to go to championship.

Im not sure what was meant about the 3 spot alliances opening up space... the champs were definitely over 300 teams in 2000 when I ran inspection (trust me, after shuffling 300+ inspection sheets, you remember!!).

And last year, our team was added and removed from the championship roster WAY too many times... I say if a team has the money in November when registration hits the end of Tier1, let rookies sign up(Im all for a Tier0). Let them experience FIRST like they have never seen, let them catch the bug that is only caught at championships!!

Its silly with the quality of some of these rookie teams that are beating out our veterans in involvement, in robots, even in awards, but yet still arent "qualified" to go to championships in FIRST's eyes.

This is the exact reason 1511 did not want to be even in the running for RAS at our other regionals once we won it. We wanted as many rookie teams at champs as possible. Its just not right to deny rookie teams the right to go when there are spots open and it could potentially keep them in FIRST.

*lets the heat out of my collar*

All that said, I know there is a waiting list for champs, and I know there are ways to get on it (though unfortunately I cant say exactly how outside of calling FIRST and pleading).

PLEASE FIRST, realize what championship means to rookie teams, and realize the caliber of rookie teams that are coming out these days... dont make them jaded in their first year. Give them this chance, PLEASE!!!

Oh and P.S. Libbeh, if you want to come hang out with 1511, we <3 rookies... it was our favorite year! We might even let ya touch the robot!