A little bitter...

[Jordan A.]

I have to admit, that even though ive realized it and pushed it aside I am still a little bitter about only even teams getting to go to nationals without winning.

This is my rookie year, and also my last year as a student (This is my senior year)

While I dont exclude the remote posibilty of beating such awsome teams, including but not limited to 188. The chances seem slim.

From what ive heard it is an experience people never forget and I am a tad bitter I will miss out.

No real point to this rant, I understand the need for the ruling, and dont contest it. Just wanted to see if there are any other disapointed rookie odds.

[David Kelso]

Hey Veterans can feel left out too...even after a bunch of trips down there......It is like knowing a friend is having a big party and you are not invited.....But there is next year....see you there then!!! Only about 450 days to go!!

[Jordan A.]

David, the real irony is I go to uinversity next year, I plan on starting a team with a local highschool, but what will more than likely happen (and drive me insane at the same time) will probably get an even number for the team

Fourtunately I will be competing in the first FIRST Canadian regional, which looks like its going to be one kick *** event.

[Anton Abaya]

the trick is to try really hard to invite yourself

cough, win.

-anton

[Jessica Boucher]

Or...

Pay your own way and come hang out. Thats what a good chunk of team 000 does. You definetley wont run out of people to visit with

[Jordan A.]

I would actually honestly consider paying my own way.

But that would require savings, which I dont have.

And even if I did that would require putting off saving for up and comming $60k education...

[Anton Abaya]

I am wondering which of you Team 000s are from the Northeast and would like to head down to Florida for the NAtionals? (this is of course if we dont win)...

Let's all pay our way down there via Amtrack. I heard it was loads of fun!

-anton

[Jessica Boucher]

Amtrak is wicked awesome, but also wicked expensive.....and plus, I cant afford to take the time off for 30+ hours each way.

Thats why Im flying down, even though Im teamless

[Mark D.]

[quote]Originally posted by Jordan A.
[b]I have to admit, that even though ive realized it and pushed it aside I am still a little bitter about only even teams getting to go to nationals without winning.

What is it about even numbered teams being able to go to the nationals without winning? This is the first time that I've heard anything about that subject. So, either no one in my team knows about it or I've just been kept out of the loop. If anyone has anymore information regarding this subject or know where I can get them, then please let me know...especially since we're an even numbered team (368) .

[Lora Knepper]

Originally posted by Anton Abaya

Let's all pay our way down there via Amtrack. I heard it was loads of fun!

-anton

Nah! Pat Dingle and I went via Greyhound last year (I from Boston, MA; he from Ithaca, NY meeting in NYC) Now that was fun and a rather interesting trip all in the same time!

Thanks again to the Rudolph family of team 168 that gave us lifts to the competition and me a place to stay You rock Jason!!

~ lora

[s_alaniz]

Hey all.... interesting posts. just out of curiosity, what's the feeling of moving Nationals out of Orlando to a less expensive venue? Or even having two "nationals", one for the East and one for the West? DO we HAVE to have a final FINAL so there is a declared national champ? (I know I know.. dumb question...)


Best

Steve Alaniz





"You're saying we can look forward to robots behaving badly and demanding higher salaries..." - Sally Forth

[Nate Smith]

Originally posted by s_alaniz
Hey all.... interesting posts. just out of curiosity, what's the feeling of moving Nationals out of Orlando to a less expensive venue? Or even having two "nationals", one for the East and one for the West? DO we HAVE to have a final FINAL so there is a declared national champ? (I know I know.. dumb question...)

This whole topic is a horse that was already beaten to death repeatedly when FIRST made the announcement about Orlando this year. However, I'm going to just make two points:

1. Re. a split "nationals": As of a couple years ago, the team distribution leaned much more towards the east side of the country. While I know there has been a lot of growth in the past couple years, I have a feeling that this is still most likely the case, looking at the distribution of regionals.

2. Re. moving away from Disney: I've heard this one suggested quite a few times myself, and the one thing that always comes to mind is that, when FIRST made the decision to limit Nationals, it was due to the fact that it was becoming too large to manage well, and we were reaching the limits of the space available at Disney for us to use. While moving away from Disney would solve the space problem, it would only be a temporary solution. With FIRST's current growth rate, in 2-3 years, we would have to be looking for a new location to compete again, if we continue allowing everyone to attend. Also, as has been mentioned on this board repeatedly, FIRST is a non-profit organization with a very small staff (only 20-25 people.) Eventually, a point would be reached where they could not get enough people, between volunteers and staff, to manage running the event. As it stands now, a considerable number of the people working at Nationals are Disney staff who have been moved from their normal job to help at the event "village." If a move was made, all of these people would have to be replaced in some way.

[Madison]

Originally posted by Jessica Boucher
Amtrak is wicked awesome, but also wicked expensive.....and plus, I cant afford to take the time off for 30+ hours each way.

Thats why Im flying down, even though Im teamless

From NY, the Amtrak trip is 24 hours, and costs about $350 each way, or something ridiculous. Train travel isn't cheap in this country (which does quite well to explain why passenger railways are all but gone and Amtrak has yet to make a profit) . . .

Also, there's only one train every two days, making travel dates less flexible.

Flying is a much better option, I think. . . or driving, if you're crazy (Maybe Robby will come pick y'all up??). I'd offer seats on our flight, but the only room left on the plane is for baggage . . . there's something exciting about saying, "I'll take the rest of the plane" when you're talking to a travel agent.

[Scott358]

As far as the rules changes, I welcome them with open arms, and think they should be taken even further, towards removing the entitlement program offered to even, then odd teams, each year.
I would suggest that more teams who finish in the top places in the Regionals should be allowed to go, so that the trip is earned.

As is with the sports model FIRST is based on, you should need to have a certain level of performance to compete in the Nationals, and not be allowed to go just because you have an odd or even number.

This will actually be fairer to high school seniors, make the Nationals a better event, and be more like in the real world (where you have to earn things).

Just my thoughts.

Scott358

[Jordan A.]

Scott, you make a great point. I whipped out the calculator and a quick product gave a pretty good number

17*16=272

Now 17 = number of regionals
16 = number of teams in the elimination tournaments at each regional
272 = just 16 less than the intended first goal (288)

now I know its to late to start this, but if there is one more regional started up we have a pretty interesting solution, possibly for later years

Any thoughts?