Breaking News!

[Ken Patton]

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and kind words.

It is going to be an exciting year for us on Team 51. When we look at the experiences and strengths of the former 47ers and 65ers who are on board, it looks pretty good. Now we are going to do everything we can to realize our potential. I am sure we will learn a lot about working together.

I would like to say thank you to the 47ers and 65ers who helped make this happen, and especially to our new team leader, Mike Martus.

I would like to extend my deepest, most sincere thanks to the GDC, for bringing alliances to us in 1999.

Ken

[PaW]

Congratulations new team 51.
Certainly a situation where you've made some lemonade from lemons!

[Chris Fultz]

Congratulations and Best of Luck on a great solution to the challenge.

I love the name, cool to have a new number. Each team brings history and legacy but you will all forge a new identity as well.

Best of Luck to all.

[Amanda Morrison]

"A force to be reckoned with"... with the firepower of both of these teams combined, I shutter to think about the possibilities ahead for Team 51. I look forward to seeing them on Einstein this year!

Good luck, guys!

[Bob Steele]

A new tradition begins.... but the old tradition never fades away.
I can already see an alliance between 67 and 51

"The Hot Wings of Fire"

[Aren_Hill]

I can already see an alliance between 67 and 51 and 217

"The Hot Chicken Wings of Fire"

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by Aren_Hill

I can already see an alliance between 67 and 51 and 217

"The Hot Chicken Wings of Fire"

Yea that'll happen if any of them puts a box on wheels on the field.

[Lil' Lavery]

Obviously I'd like to extend a belated congratulations to all the folks up in Pontiac High School and on team 51, and former teams 47 and 65 for making this work.

But I do have an interesting question. What is team 51s status in regards to the Chairman's Award? Obviously 47 is a member of the Hall of Fame (and in the same fashion, what is the ongoing status of 47's HoF display?), but 65 are not. 65 has a tremendous history in that regard, as well, though, with regional Chairman's in 2003 and 2005, and as one of the National finalists in 2001. It would seem somewhat unfair to deny those who are continuing over from 65 a chance at winning a Chairman's Award.

In my estimation, I'd assume that 51 will have it's "own" Chairman's history, and would be allowed to submit for the award, though wouldn't be allowed to rest their laurels upon the work of either 47 or 65. That's just my guess, though.

[Chris is me]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Obviously I'd like to extend a belated congratulations to all the folks up in Pontiac High School and on team 51, and former teams 47 and 65 for making this work.

But I do have an interesting question. What is team 51s status in regards to the Chairman's Award? Obviously 47 is a member of the Hall of Fame (and in the same fashion, what is the ongoing status of 47's HoF display?), but 65 are not. 65 has a tremendous history in that regard, as well, though, with regional Chairman's in 2003 and 2005, and as one of the National finalists in 2001. It would seem somewhat unfair to deny those who are continuing over from 65 a chance at winning a Chairman's Award.

In my estimation, I'd assume that 51 will have it's "own" Chairman's history, and would be allowed to submit for the award, though wouldn't be allowed to rest their laurels upon the work of either 47 or 65. That's just my guess, though.

The announcement says that team 51 is preserving the Hall of Fame status of Team 47, and the team combination document states that Championship eligibility is maintained.

[Bob Steele]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

Obviously I'd like to extend a belated congratulations to all the folks up in Pontiac High School and on team 51, and former teams 47 and 65 for making this work.

But I do have an interesting question. What is team 51s status in regards to the Chairman's Award? Obviously 47 is a member of the Hall of Fame (and in the same fashion, what is the ongoing status of 47's HoF display?), but 65 are not. 65 has a tremendous history in that regard, as well, though, with regional Chairman's in 2003 and 2005, and as one of the National finalists in 2001. It would seem somewhat unfair to deny those who are continuing over from 65 a chance at winning a Chairman's Award.

In my estimation, I'd assume that 51 will have it's "own" Chairman's history, and would be allowed to submit for the award, though wouldn't be allowed to rest their laurels upon the work of either 47 or 65. That's just my guess, though.

From the guidelines as previously cited...

Case 4: Two teams combine to form one (1) new team: Teams do
not keep either original number

Team History
both team histories are combined
Retains the right to refer to both team histories,
including event, awards and grant information of each.
New team record contains statement that it is a
“Combine” comprising teams “ABC” and “XYZ”

Awards/Grants
Team cannot apply as rookie for any rookie awards or
grants. May apply for awards and grants as appropriate.

CMP Eligibility*
Team retains CMP eligibility*, which is based
on which original team last attended.

This is an interesting case.... since CMP eligibility is based on this combined team's status as HOF. I would think that the new team would NOT be eligible for Chairman's award...Unless they wanted to give up the HOF status and re-earn it.

I don't see this to be too much different than any other HOF team.
Students on HOF teams (at least those from HOF teams that won prior to 3 years ago, would all be new and their responsibility is to help other teams and to spread the word of FIRST without regard to any new Chairman's awards.
This is both the legacy and the responsibility of HOF teams...Huskie Brigade team members now just inherited this status....

They certainly could have won it for themselves eventually, they were a fine team in their own right... but now they pass on to HOF status and the responsibilities of that position by virtue of combined team status.

[Chris Hibner]

Originally Posted by Lil' Lavery

But I do have an interesting question. What is team 51s status in regards to the Chairman's Award? Obviously 47 is a member of the Hall of Fame (and in the same fashion, what is the ongoing status of 47's HoF display?), but 65 are not. 65 has a tremendous history in that regard, as well, though, with regional Chairman's in 2003 and 2005, and as one of the National finalists in 2001. It would seem somewhat unfair to deny those who are continuing over from 65 a chance at winning a Chairman's Award.

In my estimation, I'd assume that 51 will have it's "own" Chairman's history, and would be allowed to submit for the award, though wouldn't be allowed to rest their laurels upon the work of either 47 or 65. That's just my guess, though.

We retained the combined history of both teams. The HoF status is retained. Also, don't forget that 65 was World Champions in 2003, as well as National semi-finalists in 1997 and 1998, not to mention Ken Patton's WFA in 1999.

Aside from the history, I'm a VERY excited to be part of this team. Going into this year, Ken and I have talked extensively about the two teams, and really there could not be a better fit than 47 + 65. This new team has some incredible potential. I can't wait!

[Teched3]

For you history buffs out there, BuzzRobotics, Team 175, was originally competing as Team 51 in 1996, and our team name was the Falconauts. However, by 1998, our sponsor wanted all United Technology-sponsored teams to have consecutive numbers, so we were changed to 175, and re-named ourselves BuzzRobotics. Congrats to ChiefDelphi and the Husky Brigade on finding a way to continue competing. You both have been an awesome inspiration to us over the years, and we expect that to continue with Team 51 You can go to our website, buzzrobotics.com, and view pictures of our past robots on the BuzzBots link. The 1997 version clearly shows Team #51.

[Mike Martus]

I was told by FIRST that the number was never used. The team never picked up a kit and never competed? Hmmmmmmm

[Ian Curtis]

Originally Posted by Teched3

For you history buffs out there, BuzzRobotics, Team 175, was originally competing as Team 51 in 1996, and our team name was the Falconauts. However, by 1998, our sponsor wanted all United Technology-sponsored teams to have consecutive numbers, so we were changed to 175, and re-named ourselves BuzzRobotics. Congrats to ChiefDelphi and the Husky Brigade on finding a way to continue competing. You both have been an awesome inspiration to us over the years, and we expect that to continue with Team 51 You can go to our website, buzzrobotics.com, and view pictures of our past robots on the BuzzBots link. The 1997 version clearly shows Team #51.

So, you're telling me the combined forces of the Huskie Brigade and Chief Delphi are now playing under a banner that originally represented a team who has won at least one regional/field 9 out of the last 10 years?! (and the one year they didn't, they won Chairman's at nationals!)

[EricH]

You're both wrong. There WAS a team #51, in 1997. However, 1997 was a temporary year--all numbers issued that year were changed the next year. Numbers were not issued before 1997, and the numbers were all changed the next year, by sponsor name, A-Z.

So, the team we now know as team 175 competed as team 51 in 1997, but due to the en masse renumbering the next year, they got 175, and there hasn't been a team 51 since. Until, of course, the 2010 season.

Data on team 51 from Mark McLeod's spreadsheet, using the 1997 temp numbers sheet.