From Bill's Blog: Merits of replacing bronze participation medals

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by Madison

There have been a number of changes in the past year that point to reduced costs for FIRST, but teams have yet to see those savings passed on the them; at least, outside of Michigan, perhaps.

Couldn't the savings be no, or reduced, fee incresases year over year?

I'm as cynical and and jaded as they come with organizations and large group decision making with the deaf leading the blind et all, but I can't see how at least reducing the brozne metals they give wouldn't help. Make them optional, make it so only those who didn't win a silver or gold get them, make them smaller, whatever. Even when my team never won an award we found it hilarious FIRST would just give us bronze metals in a box, we probably have enough for a small regional in the back room.

I think the pins are a cooler idea, I'd rather show I was part of xxx Regional 20xx than a giant generic medal. But that's just me. Being jaded. And cynical. And liking pins.