pic: 2009 FRC Medals - New Design!

[Akash Rastogi]

I know that its really just a material possession, but I was disappointed to see the small trophies at NJ. I pictured 1089 walking back up into the stands waving around a big gold topped trophy that we all know and love. Oh well though, whatever saves money in these times, I guess?

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

I know that its really just a material possession, but I was disappointed to see the small trophies at NJ. I pictured 1089 walking back up into the stands waving around a big gold topped trophy that we all know and love. Oh well though, whatever saves money in these times, I guess?

I saw that mentioned in another thread about Team Overdrive's award.
I was shocked too, but you have a point.
Saving money is good... up until a point.
(btw, in my opinion that point hasn't been reached yet - I'm sure I'll have some comments when I feel it is)
Also, speaking of saving money, did you notice the Suppliers/Sponsors were not listed under the FIRST logo banners on the curtain behind the field this year?
I don't know if that was just for the NJ regional, or all of them, or even for that reason, but it's interesting none-the-less.

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

I saw that mentioned in another thread about Team Overdrive's award.
I was shocked too, but you have a point.
Saving money is good... up until a point.
(btw, in my opinion that point hasn't been reached yet - I'm sure I'll have some comments when I feel it is)
Also, speaking of saving money, did you notice the Suppliers/Sponsors were not listed under the FIRST logo banners on the curtain behind the field this year?
I don't know if that was just for the NJ regional, or all of them, or even for that reason, but it's interesting none-the-less.

Dude yes! I was waiting for someone to point that out! I thought that those were maybe forgotten in shipping or something. I'll ask Ackley. When I was up there Don Bowers didn't answer when I asked. Neither did Bart.

edit: just confirmed with Ackley, it was cost cuts and as far as he knows its the same at most if not all regionals.

Very nice picture btw. Can I get a copy? email to lilstogi@gmail please ^_^

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

Dude yes! I was waiting for someone to point that out! I thought that those were maybe forgotten in shipping or something. I'll ask Ackley. When I was up there Don Bowers didn't answer when I asked. Neither did Bart.

edit: just confirmed with Ackley, it was cost cuts and as far as he knows its the same at most if not all regionals.

Very nice picture btw. Can I get a copy? email to lilstogi@gmail please ^_^

Sure. I'll send you a copy & I'll have more pics from NJ & The Scrimmage in Suffield before the end of build season on my Facebook page as well for you to browse. lol
About the missing banners, I just talked to a friend of mine who "live streamed every regional at one point" & he reminded me that sponsors/suppliers were on LCD screens last year (and not part of the banners at Regional events) & that every Regional event he saw webcast this year didn't have supplier/sponsor banners.
As an alternative, they were listed in the Regional program booklet of course, & on the center screen during field breaks. (Which there have been quite a few this year, so the sponsors are getting their money's worth this year!)

Originally Posted by smurfgirl

Yes, they did. I remember this survey, I participated in it last year. The main themes of the survey were about going green and about the possibility of a new tournament structure as FIRST expands. The awards we're seeing this year and the Michigan district competitions appear to be part of the results of this survey.

If we wanted to compare apples to oranges, a study could be done about & the effects they have been trying to "go green" I guess.
I agree the control system change to keep them year after year will help with this, - less repeat manufacturing (in theory) but what are the effect of holding more tournaments in lieu of less (Michigan competition Structure) which means more energy used at events, more waste from teams at the sites & more supplies for making more fields.
The alternative is that teams aren't competing miles away & may be traveling less, but I hardly see the environmental impact (in a positive way - yet at least) this may bring.
I guess we may see the results of that as time goes on, but like I said, I don't see the immediate positive impact... yet.

[Cory]

at 20,000 lbs for 40something regionals, that works out to all of 475 lbs per regional.

475 lbs is basically nothing when you need an entire semi to haul all your stuff from event to event. That's a pretty poor reason.

I guess they do need the money so they can spend $2000 per field, per weekend on Orbit balls.

[paul_v]

"475 lbs is basically nothing when you need an entire semi to haul all your stuff from event to event. That's a pretty poor reason."

The reason I am sure is to save money in general, not just the shipping cost. The blog states "to reduce this cost," meaning the cost of 20,000 lbs of trophies. That is a lot of material to pay for, and I would hope that smaller trophies cost much less than large trophies.

I have not tried to order 20,000 lbs of trophies, but I assume it is expensive, and I also assume FIRST employees have more than one reason for making decisions.

-Paul Ventimiglia

[waialua359]

After seeing the trophy size with better clarity, I didnt realize just how much smaller they are with respect to the previous years.
That's too bad.
Gotta save those old trophies now............

[Molten]

This may sound cheesy, but....Isn't the 120 pound regional winning bot a big enough of a trophy? Honestly, I'll keep a little medal for a commemorative thing, but if it gets too big it just gets in the way. Don't know, I just never cared for the ridiculously huge trophies that take two hands to carry.

[waialua359]

Trust me, I am sure teams wont mind having that problem, if they win either a CA or RC award ('08 and previous year's trophy size).
My recommendation was that events keep the boxes they came in, so teams can easily transport their awards without damaging or scratching them.

The FIRST symbol at the top of the trophies can break off easily if your not careful. We know from first hand experience........

[nlknauss]

Originally Posted by Molten

This may sound cheesy, but....Isn't the 120 pound regional winning bot a big enough of a trophy?

I agree. If you were to hand these medals or trophies to someone who has not had experience of being in FIRST, they would be worthless. Whether FIRST is trying to save money or be a little more green, we should still appreciate the experience. And not many people can say they have a 120 trailer dragging orbit ball handling trophy!

[Jetweb]

Originally Posted by Molten

This may sound cheesy, but....Isn't the 120 pound regional winning bot a big enough of a trophy? Honestly, I'll keep a little medal for a commemorative thing, but if it gets too big it just gets in the way. Don't know, I just never cared for the ridiculously huge trophies that take two hands to carry.

I have to dis-agree, getting that big award after a big win is a really cool thing.

I mean just look at there faces.

[Libby K]

I'm not a huge fan of the smaller trophies, or the solid ribbon... but I like to think about it this way:

YOU STILL WON!

I know for the veteran teams that have a lot of wins behind them, the trophies look tiny, but for teams like mine that have never won anything official before- I'll take it no matter what size it is! I know my team accomplished something, and I'm proud to display whatever FIRST will give me to commemorate that.

I agree with a lot of posters that there are definitely better ways FIRST could have cut costs, and downsizing the trophies was not one of the best-looking options to us, the teams; but then again, none of us work at FIRST, right? We don't know what goes on there.

I think our best bet to voice this concern is to send that email Bill Miller suggested here, and actually have another suggestion to back it up. An email saying "OMG! THE TROPHIES SUCK THIS YEAR!" won't accomplish anything. A well-crafted reasoning, as well as your ideas and thoughts, might have a little more impact.

[AdamHeard]

Originally Posted by Jetweb

I have to dis-agree, getting that big award after a big win is a really cool thing.

I mean just look at there faces.

Yup, I'm all for big awards, hell make them even bigger.

The guy in the pic seems to agree, "It's pretty cool winning a division, but I wish the trophy was THIIIIS tall (motions with hands"

[waialua359]

the idea of giving one trophy status quo in size vs two smaller ones now, sounds like a great idea.
Maybe FIRST could offer additional ones at a lower price compared to what they cost now. We ordered extra trophies from last season to give to student members who won awards from their division on our team, as well as mentors, and certain sponsors. They are not cheap at all!
If my memory serves me correctly, the CA last year was $500 a piece.
(I'll edit this if I'm wrong). I know that the smaller awards were about $60 and division finalists were $115.
Any links to the cost? I dished out so much last year, we forget already.

[Molten]

Originally Posted by Jetweb

I have to dis-agree, getting that big award after a big win is a really cool thing.

I mean just look at there faces.

One should be excited, not for the scrap of metal(that's all it is regardless of shape or size). Not for the victory. They should be excited about the path to the victory. Sure, a winning season is more fun then a losing one. But in the end that trophy is little more then a paper weight.

Question: How much does one of these trophies costs? How many are there at each regional? Bottom line, how much is FIRST saving? If it's anything notable, I personally say it is worth it.