2008 Philadelphia Regional!

[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.

[Jared Russell]

Originally Posted by Mr MOE

I also want to say that we experienced a great FIRST moment this past weekend. Rookie team 2558 needed some significant assistance to get their bot on the playing field. Many teams, including mine, teamed up to provide resources during the whole competiiton to get 2558 running. One of the best moments of Philly for me this year was being in the stands the first time 2558 came onto the field (they had missed all of their practices and a few of their early qualification matches). Their first match out, they almost crossed a line. Just to see their bot moving and the students so excited to be operating it made me realize once again why we are all here - to inspire. Great job 2558! Use the network you made this weekend to establish a solid robotics team. We look forward to being your partner on the Philly playing field in 2009!

I had a moment like this at the Chesapeake Regional this year. Team 1894 basically had a kitbot chassis that didn't move. Over the course of three days, members from 341, 2234, and other teams got their robot working - and even added in functional pneumatics and hybrid mode! The first time their knockdown piston fired, hugs and high fives went all around.

Their robot didn't win, but that didn't phase them. One of their kids came up to me and told me how he was going to learn to program, learn pneumatics, learn about machining, and his robot was going to beat Daisy next year.

That moment made my heart rise up into my throat more than probably any other in FIRST. For experienced teams like John's and my own, we've held blue banners, trophies, and medals plenty of times.

If you asked me what awards or regionals we won in five years, I wouldn't be able to tell you. But it is moments like these that you will never, ever shake from your memory.

[KenGriffin26]

Ken here from the 304 RoboGriffins!
I want to congratulate everyone in the Philadelphia Regionals 2008! Amazing work, great alliances, and awkward moments tie up what made an amazing 3 days with all of the regional teams. Congratulations 341 on the Chairman's Award! If there is a team that can make the word "daisy" strike fear in a person's mind, it is you guys! Amazing job 365! Chuck 84 never failed to surprise me as well! Thanks for making it an amazing occasion! I hope to see all of you in the Philadelphia 2009 Regionals.

Much Appreciation,

Ken of the 304 RoboGriffins

[Barry Bonzack]

I have not yet finished my thank yous for the Florida or Oklahoma Regional, but I find myself distracted on Chiefdelphi while I should be studying for tests.

Quick thanks to 365 for all of the accommodations this week, what a fun team to hang out with.

Mainly I'm posting hoping for a reply from 1511. Can one of you please tell me about how long it takes to get "I Believe that Robots ROCK" out of your head? Its been stuck there since the regional ended. Should I consult a doctor?

[Valkyrie133]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

Can one of you please tell me about how long it takes to get "I Believe that Robots ROCK" out of your head?

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Try playing "Cotton Eye Joe" loudly and repeatedly. That should do it.

Of course, then you'll have "Cotton Eye Joe" stuck in your head...

[Cynette]

Originally Posted by Barry Bonzack

Mainly I'm posting hoping for a reply from 1511. Can one of you please tell me about how long it takes to get "I Believe that Robots ROCK" out of your head? Its been stuck there since the regional ended. Should I consult a doctor?

MWAH HA HA!!! (Evil laugh...) Never!

Between that and the resounding call "Rolling Thunder (clap clap clapclapclap)!" the sound of 1511 will be embedded forever! I got to spend a few hours with my brother after the regional and whenever the conversation would lag, he would chant "Rolling Thunder..." I'd almost admit that it was annoying, except that it was usually what I was hearing in my head too!

So, sorry, Barry, until you get back to Florida and get a dose of "Oink Oink Boom!" you are stuck with...

I...
I Believe...
I Believe that...
I Believe that Robots ROCK!
I Believe that Robots ROCK!
I Believe that Robots ROCK!

[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!

[duck1370]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

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!

that sounds good to me, things could have been alot different...

thanks to 237 and 816, you guys will remain as some of our favorite alliance partners...

[mastermind12]

I was wondering if anyone has any videos of the Philly regional? I would really like to watch them even though our team wasn't in the Philly regional.

[Danny McC]

Originally Posted by duck1370

that sounds good to me, things could have been alot different...

thanks to 237 and 816, you guys will remain as some of our favorite alliance partners...

I would love to work with you guys again. Two of the coolest teams I've worked with yet. We were truely the blue alliance. You guys were great partners too.

[thefro526]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

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!

I'm now going to talk my head mentor into letting us go to RR this year. I loved working with you guys it seemed like we just an alliance of cool people. No one really was a jerk when we lost we all were just disappointed but, whatever. Lol I didn't think that removing balls for the opposite side of the field was too impressive but thanks. My mentor/coach yelled at us we we did it in one of the matches because we tore the tennis balls right off the top. Btw, anyone from 1370 or 237 is always welcome to stop by our pit in Atlanta just ask for Dustin, I'm always close, or just look for the dude in the orange and blue with the fro.

Anyway, 816 should have some more surprises in store for Atlanta, just keep an eye out.