Noteable Concern.

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Posted by Anton Abaya.

Engineer on team #419, Rambots, from BC High / UMass Boston and NASA, Mathsoft, Solidworks.

Posted on 2/26/2000 1:55 AM MST



FIRST Community,

As a former member of a FIRST team and having experienced being in FIRST, I have continually expressed to my new team the spirit of FIRST and the sportsmanship it involves.

It was natural in my experience for teams to regard every team with 'gracious professionalism.' We define that as sportsmanship and showmanship to other teams. But with the sudden influx of rookie teams this year, it was a common misconception that each team is against one another and that 'our team will kick your team's butt.' But is that really the spirit of FIRST? I have expressed to my team members that although it sounds nice for team building, it does not and should not be the over-arching slogan for teams, whether veteran or rookie.

I would highly suggest to the veteran teams and rookie teams to express to their students that although FIRST is a competition to compete against one another, that it does not necessarily imply the act of kicking a team's behind.

I say this because I have received several comments from students from other teams expressing the need to kick other team's behinds. Although playful, we all know that it will intensify as the excitement of the competition grows as well. The worst thing to occur in a FIRST Competition is a brawl of students fighting about who's team is better in kicking the other's behind.

In the spirit of FIRST and gracious professionalism, let's keep it fun, educational, fair, and peaceful.

ANTON ABAYA
team leader
team RAMBOTS, #419
UMass Boston / BC High

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Posted by Joseph Dushko.

Coach on team #145, TR-x, from Sherburne-Earlville and P & G.

Posted on 2/26/2000 5:03 AM MST


In Reply to: Noteable Concern. posted by Anton Abaya on 2/26/2000 1:55 AM MST:



Well put Anton. I agree.


: FIRST Community,

: As a former member of a FIRST team and having experienced being in FIRST, I have continually expressed to my new team the spirit of FIRST and the sportsmanship it involves.
:
: It was natural in my experience for teams to regard every team with 'gracious professionalism.' We define that as sportsmanship and showmanship to other teams. But with the sudden influx of rookie teams this year, it was a common misconception that each team is against one another and that 'our team will kick your team's butt.' But is that really the spirit of FIRST? I have expressed to my team members that although it sounds nice for team building, it does not and should not be the over-arching slogan for teams, whether veteran or rookie.
:
: I would highly suggest to the veteran teams and rookie teams to express to their students that although FIRST is a competition to compete against one another, that it does not necessarily imply the act of kicking a team's behind.
:
: I say this because I have received several comments from students from other teams expressing the need to kick other team's behinds. Although playful, we all know that it will intensify as the excitement of the competition grows as well. The worst thing to occur in a FIRST Competition is a brawl of students fighting about who's team is better in kicking the other's behind.
:
: In the spirit of FIRST and gracious professionalism, let's keep it fun, educational, fair, and peaceful.
:
: ANTON ABAYA
: team leader
: team RAMBOTS, #419
: UMass Boston / BC High

[archiver]

Posted by Anton Abaya.

Engineer on team #419, Rambots, from BC High / UMass Boston and NASA, Mathsoft, Solidworks.

Posted on 2/26/2000 9:05 AM MST


In Reply to: Re: Noteable Concern. posted by Joseph Dushko on 2/26/2000 5:03 AM MST:



gee, thanks.


: Well put Anton. I agree.

:
: : FIRST Community,

: : As a former member of a FIRST team and having experienced being in FIRST, I have continually expressed to my new team the spirit of FIRST and the sportsmanship it involves.
: :
: : It was natural in my experience for teams to regard every team with 'gracious professionalism.' We define that as sportsmanship and showmanship to other teams. But with the sudden influx of rookie teams this year, it was a common misconception that each team is against one another and that 'our team will kick your team's butt.' But is that really the spirit of FIRST? I have expressed to my team members that although it sounds nice for team building, it does not and should not be the over-arching slogan for teams, whether veteran or rookie.
: :
: : I would highly suggest to the veteran teams and rookie teams to express to their students that although FIRST is a competition to compete against one another, that it does not necessarily imply the act of kicking a team's behind.
: :
: : I say this because I have received several comments from students from other teams expressing the need to kick other team's behinds. Although playful, we all know that it will intensify as the excitement of the competition grows as well. The worst thing to occur in a FIRST Competition is a brawl of students fighting about who's team is better in kicking the other's behind.
: :
: : In the spirit of FIRST and gracious professionalism, let's keep it fun, educational, fair, and peaceful.
: :
: : ANTON ABAYA
: : team leader
: : team RAMBOTS, #419
: : UMass Boston / BC High

[archiver]

Posted by Lora Knepper.

Student on team #69, HYPER (Helping Youth Pursue Engineering & Robotics), from Quincy Public Schools and The Gillette Company.

Posted on 2/26/2000 7:00 AM MST


In Reply to: Noteable Concern. posted by Anton Abaya on 2/26/2000 1:55 AM MST:



I agree with you Anton, you have worded it perfectly. Not only is this seen as rookie teams pop up, but also in new arrivals to veteran teams. It falls to us, the people who have seen the competition, who have made friends, to educate our own teams and the rookies as well. We are a FIRST family, and we have to watch out for each other. We all laugh at the term 'Gracious Professionals', and in my experience, it comes naturally to most people in FIRST. If we wanted to destroy each other, we would be in Battlebots or Robot Wars, but we came to FIRST because it is unique. Let's keep it going and support each other on the field, in the pits, and away from competition too. Veterans and rookies have much to learn from each other, and lets get learning!

Lora Knepper
Team Leader
Team HYPER #69

[archiver]

Posted by Michael Martus.   [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]


Coach on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central H.S. and Delphi Automotives Systems.

Posted on 2/26/2000 7:18 AM MST


In Reply to: Noteable Concern. posted by Anton Abaya on 2/26/2000 1:55 AM MST:



I totally agree, but take it a step further.

Veteran teams need to show rookie teams how to act. This includes cheering for other teams, not making messes with trash, being outgoing and friendly.

I am sure other veteran teams can think of other traits that a rookie team needs to learn.

It is up to the veteran teams to show by example.

Buttons, do all rookie teams know about trading buttons. At the rookie camp we make sure that the teams that attended knew all about the workings of an event so that they would not be left out.

[archiver]

Posted by Erin.

Student on team #1, The Juggernauts, from OTC-NE, Oxford High School and 3-D Services.

Posted on 2/26/2000 10:55 AM MST


In Reply to: Re: Noteable Concern. posted by Michael Martus on 2/26/2000 7:18 AM MST:



Last night, Andy and I discussed how some teams get 'snubbed' by other due to past communications. We both agreed that it should be all about fun. Once everyone sees how fun it is to be friends with everyone rather than enemies, they will like it much more. I know that my team needs lesson in cheering, but being the girl on the guys team... it will take alot of work. I hope my team has good expamples to learn from!! I am all for more cheering. Anton, you have the right idea, I still think you are a genius. Any other thoughts on tightening team-to-team communication?

-erin-