2008 Philadelphia Regional!

[Dillon Compton]

Thanks to all the mentors, volunteers, teams, etc that made Philly possible.

As always, Philly was my favorite event that I attended this year. The energy in that arena is always intense, and the volunteers and staff are consistently of the highest caliber - from the security guards at the venue to the FIRST volunteers, the staffing at this event makes it easy to have fun while the event maintains a priority on safety, organization, and seamless operation. I also want to give a special thanks to our IFI rep this year (I forget his name...); he had a FANTASTIC energy, and was visibly present and accessible both on and off the field.

To 1712 and 381 - thanks for an AWESOME alliance. Even if we did get eliminated in the quarterfinals, we all put on an excellent showing. My only regret is that we didn't pull through a little more for you guys!

To my team, thanks for the season and congrats on the Innovation in Control Award!

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Dillon Compton

I also want to give a special thanks to our IFI rep this year (I forget his name...); he had a FANTASTIC energy, and was visibly present and accessible both on and off the field.

Tall, fun/funny, fast, looked sort of like Alfalfa with purple hair (thanks to the Roboducks) - coming from the awesome inaugural OKC Regional? Lee, maybe?

He was pretty FANTASTIC!

[Danny McC]

I dont remember who it was. But everytime I have run into an IFI rep they have been really cool people. And the Philly rep would make a great MC, me and Dustin think.

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by Dillon Compton

I also want to give a special thanks to our IFI rep this year (I forget his name...); he had a FANTASTIC energy, and was visibly present and accessible both on and off the field.

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Tall, fun/funny, fast, looked sort of like Alfalfa with purple hair (thanks to the Roboducks) - coming from the awesome inaugural OKC Regional? Lee, maybe?

He was pretty FANTASTIC!

As the Duct Tape Bandits let it be heard all through the arena..."LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE!"

Philly was fantastic! The energy was amazing! I know we had the best time cheering with the Duct Tape Bandits! And eating faux sushi by the Quantum Samurai! And seeing the bright splashes of colors around the arena since we all packed in on Saturday! And getting pumped up by Shaniqua and George and Barry! And all the awesome teams and robots! So many memories in three days! And it was especially fun for me because I came to my brother's home regional and we got to play with his team! 1640 - you were real troopers and we appreciate that!

Congrats to Miss Daisy, Moe and Chuck 84! I was especially thrilled for Chuck, not just because they were next to us in the stands, but because it seemed like the cards were stacked against them in virtually every qualification match. They are proof that perseverance pays off!

And congrats Miss Daisy on the Chairman's! Your team is an wonderful role model!

And a huge thank you to my team for their effort the whole three days! You worked hard on the robot, on spirit, on scouting, and on SAFETY!!!!

[Nfreris]

The Philly Regional was amazing. From the Vets to the Rookies, everyone was just awesome. As you know, my team, 2668 North Montco Vortex did win the Rookie All-Star award and it felt great. We showed that rookies can be amazing. We had judges, ref's, and other teams routing for us all the way. We qualified for Atlanta, and now we need money to get there. All-in-all it was an awesome feeling to be there. The finals were absolutly outstanding. Congrats to Moe, Daisy, and Chuck on winning. And congrats to Daisy for the chairmans award. Hope to see you in atlanta.

[angelc24]

As the Duct Tape Bandits let it be heard all through the arena..."LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE! LEE!"

We made sure to get a team picture with him on Saturday... we're still not sure if he liked the attention or if he thought we were insane.

This was my last year as a student on a team and Philadelphia was a great way to end those 8 years (FLL and FRC). Everyone had amazing energy. Our rookie year, team 467 came down to Philly, and all the coaches were wicked excited about coming back.

Congrats to everyone who competed, expecially Miss Daisy, Moe and Chuck 84, you guys were amazing.
Thanks to 1511 who cheered with us and was a huge help getting our team to cheer for something other than the ball randomizer.

[Tsom467]

Originally Posted by angelc24

We made sure to get a team picture with him on Saturday... we're still not sure if he liked the attention or if he thought we were insane.

I'm leaning more towards insane

He was really cool - fun to chat with waiting for our matches to start.

Duct Tape Bandits with LEE!!!

[Josh Goodman]

Originally Posted by angelc24

Thanks to 1511 who cheered with us and was a huge help getting our team to cheer for something other than the ball randomizer.

Possibly the best part of the regional.

RANDOMIZER! *clap clap clap clap clap*

You guys are insane!!

[Kims Robot]

Originally Posted by angelc24

Thanks to 1511 who cheered with us and was a huge help getting our team to cheer for something other than the ball randomizer.

I have to say one of my absolute favorite GP moments was when we had to go up against you guys, whom we had been cheering with all weekend, and we all started chanting things like "purple alliance" and "way to go teams" as opposed to red or blue or our team numbers. That to me was the epitome of GP & team friendship!! I think the funniest thing was when I first started hearing our teams chant purple alliance, I was confused... there were no purple robots on the field!! lol. Then I got it.. and realized we all got it...

[petek]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

I have to say one of my absolute favorite GP moments was when we had to go up against you guys, whom we had been cheering with all weekend, and we all started chanting things like "purple alliance" and "way to go teams" as opposed to red or blue or our team numbers. That to me was the epitome of GP & team friendship!! I think the funniest thing was when I first started hearing our teams chant purple alliance, I was confused... there were no purple robots on the field!! lol. Then I got it.. and realized we all got it...

Since I was shackled to the field, I was right in front of "The Purple Alliance" all through the event and all I can say is: All of You Rock! I think this year's Philly regional set a new standard for spirit, fun and graciously professional competition. Thanks for coming and I hope to see you again in Atlanta or next year.

[1t5h1e1o]

I have to say that Philly greatly exceeded any of my expectations. Everyone there was so spirited and practically bleeding GP. A special thanks to 467 Duct Tape Bandits again for their ongoing friendship and spirit with our team. When I was down on the field as a driver during quarterfinals, half of the people in the stands on the opposite side from your team and ours were cheering for their alliance, and the other half were chanting "Random-izer" By far the most random and yet awesome display of energy. To our partners 316, 484, and then 1640, those were awesome matches. If only those ending ball placements in the first match had counted. (they never called it before that you couldn't be touching them, only not supporting them! oh well.) Special thanks to 484 who wanted the best for the alliance even if it meant stepping down. It's a shame you had those problems with your drive because you have an amazing robot!! Best of luck to you in the future, you guys were awesome to work with!! Thanks to 1640 for being ready and willing to fill in, that was a great win in match 2! Congratulations to 84, 365, and 341 on the win, that was an amazing final!!! Congrats on the Chairmans as well!! Being my FIRST year and second regional as a driver, if this gets any more exciting and fun than it was at Philly, I don't know how I can describe it!!! Overall, this was an amazing regional, even if it left me really sick and without a voice!

[BandChick]

Originally Posted by 1t5h1e1o

If only those ending ball placements in the first match had counted. (they never called it before that you couldn't be touching them, only not supporting them! oh well.)

It's clearly stated in the manual:

<G14>When the MATCH ends, each TRACKBALL that is at least partially supported by the OVERPASS and not in contact with any ROBOT of the same ALLIANCE will earn a 12-point bonus. If a TRACKBALL is in unrestrained motion (i.e. not in contact with another ROBOT) when the clock reaches zero, its contribution to the score will be based on when it comes to rest.

[1t5h1e1o]

Originally Posted by BandChick

It's clearly stated in the manual:

Yeah I went and checked after the match, it just seemed that they hadn't been calling it like that on friday or earlier that day, maybe I just didn't notice. Anyways, I made sure to roll the wrist back in the second match after we placed Thanks for the clarification.

[thefro526]

I'd Like to thank 237 for picking us and 1370 for being an awesome third alliance member. Philly like always was awesome and I was amazed by the team spirit there. It seemed as if everyone was cheering for everyone else. We would've liked to have gone farther but, oh well.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by thefro526

I'd Like to thank 237 for picking us and 1370 for being an awesome third alliance member. Philly like always was awesome and I was amazed by the team spirit there. It seemed as if everyone was cheering for everyone else. We would've liked to have gone farther but, oh well.

I would love to get together with both 816 & 1370 and head to Ramp Riot & get a rematch of our last matches with the teams we played if they go there as well.
I think we deserve a second shot at those matches.

Maybe it'll happen.
Maybe not.

Whatever the case, Thanks 816 for being a great alliance partner, and especially for the AMAZING removal of our alliances ball off the overpass on the OPPOSITE side of the field!!
I'm still amazed at that.

See you in Atlanta!