2011, 2012 and 2013 Champs dates

[MagiChau]

Originally Posted by Shmee

Thanks for the notice!

Is it just me or do the dates seem relatively late compared to Championships in Atlanta?

Maybe there is something happening that pushes back Championship back a week?

[KathieK]

Originally Posted by ZonChau

Maybe there is something happening that pushes back Championship back a week?

Championships have been late before... I wouldn't speculate just yet - dates are chosen for many, many reasons (venue availability being just one of them). But I thought I'd share since it was out there on a postcard already.

[Phreadumb]

Originally Posted by ZonChau

Maybe there is something happening that pushes back Championship back a week?

Hopefully more time for teams to prepare, especially for those teams that qualify and need to find some $$$.

[Phil Ross]

Pushing championships back a week might not be a bad thing. Likely the reason is that there is something already booking the event space. Because of this, team who compete in week 4 or 5 events and qualify for Championships will now have a little more time to plan and get everything together.

Can't wait!

[George A.]

Another reason for the push back could be to possibly add another week for regional competitions.

That way there wouldn't need to be as many fields made?

Just a guess, but arena availability is probably the better answer.

I'm glad though, it'll be the first time in a long while that Championships don't fall on my birthday.

[Zach O]

Bad news: Looks like most places you can't book a hotel yet! They won't let you book a year in advance?

[GaryVoshol]

One thing the later dates will allow is the return of Week 6 to the schedule. And possibly even a Week 7. If more areas go with the district/championship model (like in MI), those championship events wouldn't have to all be the same weekend.

[AlexD744]

Its too close to AP Exams!!!!

[santosh]

I hope/know that there is a solid reason. This is right before my/alot of other universities' finals next year... as well as AP tests

[Andrew Y.]

wow...no good. As a mentor for a majority college mentored team this is going to be very hard.

Also our students run off a college schedule which puts their finals closer to championships AND AP EXAMS!

[smurfgirl]

Thanks for sharing this Kathie! When I was looking for this to add it to my calendar I couldn't find it anymore.

[FoleyParent]

Does anyone know where they would hold the Finale on Saturday night?

[David Brinza]

Originally Posted by FoleyParent

Does anyone know where they would hold the Finale on Saturday night?

How about under the Arch? I'm not kidding...

[Shmee]

Originally Posted by David Brinza

How about under the Arch? I'm not kidding...

Not under the Arch, but definitely, I think, on the Waterfront. It's the perfect spot for fireworks (I was at the St. Louis Fourth of July celebration this summer) and there's a nice area for all the games, stage, and etc. that Centennial holds. And it's quite close to the venue, a little farther than the Georgia Dome and Centennial, but still quite close, if I remember correctly.

And I was wondering how the late date might affect regional stuff...Peachtree moved from a week 3 to a week 1 this year. I don't know if I want to experience a week 1 again

[WynS]

I must say that for our team, the timing compared to the AP tests will be a big thing. We barely have resources for two events and will probably not be planning on going to Championships. I think that if we were fortunate enough to win a regional event again next year it would be a very tough decision as to whether to go on. Many of our students take at least one if not more AP tests and take school as well as robotics very seriously. There is a extremely good chance that even if we do well next year, we would not choose to compete at the World Championship in St. Louis. I wonder how many other teams will face the same dilemma next year.