Clowns or Announcers?

[Matt Howard]

Originally Posted by Doc Wu

Our teams are made up of High School aged kids, young adults, not children. They are world-wise and sophisticated in 2010 and I doubt that they are impressed by such theatrics.

I sure was.

I started as a student in FIRST in 2005. I graduated in 2007, and have since gone on to mentor since 2008. I've also volunteered at more than one FIRST event. I've never once thought the MC's dressed up in costumes, wearing beads and sporting colored hair were out of place.

Like others have said they are the face of the regional. To make a Regional event successful the event has to appeal not just to the teams, but to families and spectators as well.

[MarcD79]

OK, I get it, some people just don't have an extended sense of humor. I'm 49 and love all the commotion. When I'm not volunteering, I am painted up, just like the students. The MC has to entertain in between rounds. That is his job. During rounds you just hear him.
To Edoc'sil; lighten up it sounds like you are getting too tense. Enjoy what life gives you. These drivers need some entertainment to help keep them calm. Besides, the Competition is for the students, not the adults.

[JaneYoung]

This discussion may touch on some of the reasons an FRC event is unique and does not easily fit into any mold already created by athletic or sports events. It also doesn't fit into a competition such as a chess competition. It definitely doesn't fit into the beauty pageant mold, although some of the robots are beautiful sleek machines.

Pairing the energy, enthusiasm, and curiosity of students with the energy, enthusiasm, curiosity, knowledge, and experience of mentors - creates a mold that continues to change shape through seasons and competitions. Many of the emcees have been and are valued mentors on teams and in their communities. They, themselves, are steeped in wisdom, experience, and knowledge - about many teams and many regions. They are also still very curious and want to learn more and know more and share more with each year of growth and development in FRC.

Students on FRC teams are exposed to the excitement of the competitions and the opportunities to participate and enjoy the fun - embracing who they are and what they have achieved - perhaps something they've never done before or thought they could ever do. Being smart isn't always easy. Being shy can be difficult. Not everyone likes the loud competitions/the noise factor. By Saturday, many feel the effects of the journey they've taken to get to Saturday afternoon, starting with Kick Off.

I've known students who love being on the team and participating in build but don't enjoy travel or the competitions. They have chosen to stay home instead of going. That's just fine. It doesn't mean that anything is wrong or that anyone should judge them because they don't like noise or watching the competitions. It means that being on a FRC team means many things to many people. Not everyone is going to like everything about it, including the color of an emcee's hair. But - enough people are and they will fill the stands and have a great time.

Can events be improved? Sure - that's part of the process, too. Looking over the season and seeing what works and what doesn't work and where improvements can be made. If people have sincere issues regarding their perception of clowns on the field, contact FIRST directly and voice the concerns to them. While writing, it would be good to commend the emcees and all the other volunteers - for their time and their commitment to the program. I doubt that FIRST's inbox is overflowing with thank yous but I could be wrong.

Jane

[RoboMom]

I would encourage everyone who has an interest in the topic to give feedback to their local planning committee to benefit all the teams, mentors and volunteers, and to the local FIRST staff.
It takes a village of volunteers to put on an event.

[Karthik]

I read the original post on my way home from Pittsburgh last night and planned a response in my head, but most of it is now superfluous thanks to Kate's typically articulate post.

When I emcee, I treat the role similarly to the role of a sportscaster during a pre-game show. They're there to introduce the action, create excitement and anticipation for the upcoming event and fill in the audience on the backstory that the audience may not be familiar with. I try emulate people like Bob Costas, Joe Buck and Jim Nantz who are both incredibly knowledgeable but also have the ability to weave some humour into their descriptions, without drawing attention away from the actual event. Last time I checked, none of these people dress up like clowns.

Am I the only one that feels slightly put off by the clown suits or is that really what everyone wants? Or is it just a case of some adults once again completely out of touch with young people?

Nope, the over the top clown suits put me off as well. I know many others (both mentors and students) who feel the same way. The students have told me they feel like they're being treated like a child.

[Tom Bottiglieri]

There are a few students that are already interested in science and technology. These kids will most likely go on to be engineers, and can probably just deal with being treated like small children, as they like the robots.

There are some who are on the fence about going into engineering because they think its "nerdy" or "dorky". I am not sure how dressing up in a clown suit is helping to sway these students' perspective.

[Pausert]

For those of you who think these announcers are a detriment to the FRC program, where are the kids that turn away from the game? The ones who aren't captivated by the announcer and their show? I would assume that if the announcers weren't any good there would be an obvious lack of spirit. Right now, we all sit on CD and discuss/complain about the decibel level of events. I assure you thats because people are screaming in excitement, not in pain.

I personally enjoyed the announcer at Chesapeake, his coat and all.

[BobC]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Maybe some day it will change but I hope that day doesn't come anytime soon.

Jane

Jane I am with you I hope that day never comes.

[Andy Grady]

Ya know, years ago we only had 1 or 2 emcees because there was only one or two regionals a weekend. Now we are getting to the point where there is about a dozen regionals in one week. Planning committees have to reach for people that have experience of any sort to take that role. Despite what it may seem, emceeing an event is not an easy task. An emcee needs to convey a message clearly, be the face of FIRST, and occasionally provide entertainment during downtime. You cannot just take the average person, give them a microphone, and say GO...BE AN EMCEE! Most people would lock up in that situation. As a result, committees reach for people who have some sort of outgoing personality and no fear of a microphone. The number of people who meet that criteria and are willing to take a try are rising. They are getting opportunities because of the large demand for talent with the growing number of regionals. We are now in an age where emcees or announcers are gaining "FIRST Fame" and as a result everyone has their shtick in order to try to get a piece of it. Fact of the matter is that everyone likes a different thing. Personally, I enjoy the humor and entertainment that Blair brings, or the storytelling capability of Karthik or Dave Vebrugge. However, I can guarantee you that there is someone out there who can't stand them either. Fact of the matter is that students and mentors have different tastes.

I recommend that if you have an emcee or an announcer that you really are annoyed by, just talk to a member of your regional committee. If enough people complain, I'm sure they will do something about it. As hard as it can be for those committees to find talent, they certainly do not want to drive you away either. Just be patient...its not easy finding people to fill those roles.

[gvarndell]

Originally Posted by Doc Wu

Am I the only one that feels slightly put off by the clown suits or is that really what everyone wants? Or is it just a case of some adults once again completely out of touch with young people?

It's not something that bothers me.
Looking at many of the kids though I wouldn't say these guys are necessarily out of touch with them.
One thing that always strikes me at FRC competitions is seeing the little nerds reveling in the same kind of self-celebrating bravado the high school jocks have always indulged in.
I'm not sure the clowns aren't just an extension of that weirdness.

[robself705]

I have to say, the MC's "clowniness" bothers me. Just get a cool, fun-loving announcer up there, you don't need to dress them in circus clothes to get high-schoolers' attention.

[BrendanB]

Originally Posted by Andy Grady

Ya know, years ago we only had 1 or 2 emcees because there was only one or two regionals a weekend. Now we are getting to the point where there is about a dozen regionals in one week. Planning committees have to reach for people that have experience of any sort to take that role. Despite what it may seem, emceeing an event is not an easy task. An emcee needs to convey a message clearly, be the face of FIRST, and occasionally provide entertainment during downtime. You cannot just take the average person, give them a microphone, and say GO...BE AN EMCEE! Most people would lock up in that situation. As a result, committees reach for people who have some sort of outgoing personality and no fear of a microphone. The number of people who meet that criteria and are willing to take a try are rising. They are getting opportunities because of the large demand for talent with the growing number of regionals. We are now in an age where emcees or announcers are gaining "FIRST Fame" and as a result everyone has their shtick in order to try to get a piece of it. Fact of the matter is that everyone likes a different thing. Personally, I enjoy the humor and entertainment that Blair brings, or the storytelling capability of Karthik or Dave Vebrugge. However, I can guarantee you that there is someone out there who can't stand them either. Fact of the matter is that students and mentors have different tastes.

I recommend that if you have an emcee or an announcer that you really are annoyed by, just talk to a member of your regional committee. If enough people complain, I'm sure they will do something about it. As hard as it can be for those committees to find talent, they certainly do not want to drive you away either. Just be patient...its not easy finding people to fill those roles.

Speaking of being behind the microphone *cough, where were you at BAE? I heard you in at least one of our matches and really liked it! My family and grandfather noticed it too about how you were much better than some other people and we (GSR in the stands) really miss you out there with the microphone! No one does play by play better in New England IMHO!

Don't know if that is a bit off topic from the costumes, but Andy Grady has a balance of professionality, humor, and team history much like Karthik and Paul Copioli.

[Tuba4]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Kate, I wish that I had Karthik's memory. By the time I hit the field I have forgotten some of the things I wanted to say. He can remember things from 10 years ago. He is definitely a brighter mind than I.

Amen to that. When I spoke to Karthik at Pittsburgh, he called me by name before I could re-introduce myself, even though we last spoke a year or 2 ago. He remembered regionals where we had spoken and people we had spoken about.

[R1ffSurf3r]

Originally Posted by Tom Bottiglieri

There are some who are on the fence about going into engineering because they think its "nerdy" or "dorky". I am not sure how dressing up in a clown suit is helping to sway these students' perspective.

Most of the people I know don't view engineering as nerdy, but as something that is way over their heads, and out of their reach. Many think that they just aren't smart or complex enough for it. So in a way, MCs make it seem more fun and something not as far away as they may have previously thought.

my 2 cents

[KathieK]

I am married to one such "clown." Funny thing is, I was the former professional clown, not Jack!

"Jack in the Hat" wears a tie-dyed custom-made tuxedo with the FIRST logo embroidered on the back. And a top hat adorned with FIRST pins. He may look "clownish" to some. But he takes his job as emcee very seriously. He recognizes the importance and responsibility of the role. He volunteers as emcee at FLL, FTC and FRC events. His costume is his team uniform, so to speak.

Sometimes the colorful garb is what captures the attention of the media. Last year the clip of Jack made the local, regional and national news. We may prefer that they focus on other parts of the events, but if the media chooses to show a colorful FIRSTer, I'm all for it.

The music, team spirit, dancing, hair painting, etc. is what makes this different from just a science fair. I say, let's keep the clowns. But then again, I like clowns!