pic: 2009 FRC Medals - New Design!

[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.