2008 IRI (Indiana Robotics Invitational)

[rick.oliver]

Originally Posted by Pat Major

... Being on the winning alliance in 2007 and not playing, left me feeling our team did not contribute enough to be considered one of the champions of the 2007 IRI Competition ...

IRI wants to have the best of the best compete, I understand that, and requiring the 4th partner to play could water down the quality of the matches. All I ask is that you don’t put more teams in the uncomfortable position you put us in. If we win an award we want to earn it not have it handed to us by others ...

Another possible solution: Apply the F.I.R.S.T. model with the following wrinkle. Have each of the eight alliances "nominte" a team to the loaner pool. If a team needs a spare, they may select any team from the loaner pool. They become a 4 team alliance as defined by the F.I.R.S.T. rules.