Clowns or Announcers?

Originally Posted by Steve W

I guess that it is all one perception. I am one who wears colorful shirts and hair to match. I also do the exact same thing at FLL, FTC and VEX events. I don't do it because I want to be noticed (but I do get noticed) but rather to give the kids a little fun. Mine started with team 48 wanting to do my hair at Championships and just "flourished" from there. At most FIRST events when I don't do my hair then I can go virtually unrecognized for a long time.

The benefits of coloring hair brings a lot of questions especially when I am not at the arena. It gives me the chance to promote the event. At the event people seem to know that they can ask me questions and I will find the answers. When touring the pits I can be found by anyone looking for me.

I guess there is a limit but I have worn pink ears and pig tail at the same time as some fairy wings so I am not sure were that limit is. As an EMCEE my goal is to make teams feel good about themselves and promote them as much as I can. Would I come to an event like a clown? No but a parrot on steroids, maybe.

You are correct that without the tri-colored hair you are totally unrecognizable, "some" costume and color is fun, maybe some go a bit too far and it ends up looking a bit silly although I have never seen that in Ontario.

I do hope they bring back the mascot dance this year at waterloo and GTR, they had that back in Aim high and it was great video for TV and now that we are back on carpet why not?

Hopefully the DJ plays all the right music to keep the crowd energized and on it's feet as well this year as well.