Team Hammond: The story now told

[archiver]

Posted by Brian Beatty.

Coach on team #71, Team Hammond, from Hammond Schools.

Posted on 3/17/2000 8:30 PM MST



Since things have settled down a bit(calm before the storm), I would like to share a story that exemplifies the meaning of FIRST. As some of you know, after 1-1/2 weeks into the competition, Beatty was still on the sidelines due to the high cost necessary to build a machine of the caliber to get the job done. In an effort to make this affordable, the school city suggested contacting local machine shops to get some of the work done. Good idea; let's call the people we compete with and ask them to work on a breakdown basis for free. Although skeptical, Team Hammond was running out of options. I am proud to report that not one request for help was turned down; some major dollars in machining and fabrication were involved. For their efforts, I would like to recognize them in this small way:

Bearing Service (Ron Beeson)
Continental Machine (Shelley Hugus, DuWayne O'Rourke)
Cubit (Thomas Cubit)
Eason Manufacturing (Earl Hokins, Bill Plantinga)
Hammond Career Center (Larry Johnson, Joe Pernick)
Hammond Machine (Peter Nau)
Herald Machine (Dan Herald)
Keystone Machine (Joe Spott, Pat Clark)
Productigear (Dick Weeker)
South Suburban College (Dr. Haven Williams, Emery Monek
Mark Faron(student), Rich Meyers(student)
Vidimos (Scott Vidimos)

In conclusion, without these individuals generous donations of equipment and manpower, Team Hammond would not have been possible. As usual, we always try to take a little different slant on the game; This year is no exception. Hopefully our efforts yield some exciting matches. See you in Chicago.

Brian Beatty