Is competing at multiple regionals REALLY fair ?

[Steve Wherry]

I can admit that today our team has opportunities that other teams might not have; however I can remember the day when we were getting squashed by the competition and had to work our way up. Back in 2000, we idolized Chief Delphi, HOT, the BEAST, TechnoKats, and several other teams. We were often in their way during matches and had to learn how to be a better team. We used these teams as role models and outstanding examples of how to do it the right way.

Obviously, money helps, but it takes time and not money to inform your community about FIRST in order to raise funds. We posted our business plan on the forum and have taken much time and effort developing our program over the years...it did not happen over night, and we needed to be shown by veteran teams who "invaded the regionals" that hard work will eventually pay off.