Team of the Decade

[Tom Line]

Originally Posted by IKE

My guess would be at its core the mentorship. I have noticed that a lot of teams get a WFFA or WFA before winning a RCA or Chairman's. This means that team has a mentor gifted in spreading the infection of excellence to the students and other mentors. Afterall the WFA is a communication award. That is why I think the core of every great team is a great mentor (or mentors).

This isn't just true with FIRST. Look at any non-professional team sport (and many pro also), and you will find a coach or manager ... a leader that knows how to shape and mold a group of individuals into a team where the sum is greater than the parts.
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One important thing to remember when making a list like this, is these really are teams to admire (not envy).

In addition, I think you'll find that every one of those highly successful teams have not just one, but several incredibly dedicated mentors that are experts in their field. There is simply no way a single mentor (no matter how dedicated), can provide enough expertise in every field that FIRST touches. The time requirement for a single mentor to even attempt to do that is staggering.