FiM is NOT FIRST

[Justin Montois]

I am going to have to agree. I think that FiM from what I can read, and no one from FiM is coming forward to refute this, is that FiM basically wants a robotics program that is more robot based then the CULTURE CHANGING (How can you call it that, and then award it zero points. I guess they feel changing culture is bad?) aspect of FIRST but FiM dosen't have the teams, sponsors and high schools that don't already have FRC teams, in order to have a big enough program. So the solution they came up with was to come up with this pilot program essentially forcing teams into their program. I'll also officially go on the record that I’m not ok with most of what's being done in this "Pilot"

I can live with the change in format. I'm not really happy about it because I love the regionals, I love having the option of going anywhere in the country(world?) to compete. I do like the increased number of matches played. I think that's one of the things that FiM is right about.

I know that generally people are resistant to change. And most of the people that I have talked to about this program have a very negative reaction to it. I think FIRST needs to really think long and hard about continuing this program in other states.

If it works in Michigan, then keep it there. Let them have their competition's and the rest of the FIRST community will be happy to recognize the best teams by allowing them to compete at Championships. I don't think this "pilot" should be use anywhere else until a group of teams feels it's necessary for their state.