Michigan Regional System: Who is asking the hard questions around here?

[wingnut1705]

I am from a Michigan team and I must say that at first, I was very uneasy about the new system. However in the last month I have become more optimistic and I am finding great positives in the new format.
In the last few weeks, my team essentially lost funding from our biggest sponsor. With the hardships faced by the auto industry, our automotive supplier simply could not afford to give us thousands of dollars. Fortunately our registration fees were paid, and they will still pay for small purchases. If we were still under the "Regional" format we would not have been able to go to our normal two competitions. With "District" events, we will still be able to attend two competitions.
I think that overall, the most important parts of the competitions will be unchanged. My favorite memories are exciting matches, playing Ultimate Frisbee with new friends, and simply, being around honorable teams and people. Will there still be exciting matches? Yes there will. Will I still be playing Ultimate Frisbee with people I met 10 minutes ago? Of course. And will the great people that make up FIRST still be there? Yes.
With the future economy uncertain and the cost of EVERYTHING rising, these District Events sound great to me. Yes there are bugs, but I am sure than can, and will be fixed. The most important part is that the spirit of FIRST will still be there, and everybody, big budgets and not, will be able to participate.