pic: 111_047scoring01.jpg

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Karthik

These two robots were phenoms. At the 2000 Midwest Regional, these two teams hooked up along with Team 45, forming what is considered by many as the greatest alliance of all time.

I had the pleasure of being the field coach for 45 at that regional. I recall going into the "alliance meeting" after we got picked. Keep in mind that this was still the time when FIRST had 3 team alliances in the finals, but only 2 played on the field once. One had to sit. And... this was before there was any mandate of making the sitting team play a match at all.

(Obviously, 47 and 111 had two great robots that year. We were pretty good, being finalists at Great Lakes, along with being the 16th overall pick at the Championships (thanks, 22!).)

Essentially, the coaches for 47 and 111 asked us if we would like to play in the finals. We said "yes... but we don't want to bring down the alliance... we are happy to ride your coattails to a Championship". I think we played 1 or 2 matches throughout 3 rounds. There was really no need for us to do more. Being paired with 2 teams we respect greatly and seeing these 2 robots perform at their best was inspiration to us all.

Andy B.