FIRST in Texas Partners with UIL (University Interscholastic League)

[ahartnet]

Do Minnesota or Arizona have state champs that non-eligible teams (not just non-UIL teams in Texas' case, but teams that just didn't qualify too) can compete in? I think that logistically is what could cause the most headaches, or at least questions.

From the FAQ TRR will not exclude any teams from joining - nor would I want them to. However, if the UIL "state champs" is determined by performance at TRR, does that mean that there will be consideration to the schedule? If a team that is trying to win the state champs has multiple matches paired with various pre-rookies (or other teams that don't qualify for the state champs, or on the flip side maybe some really awesome bots/teams that aren't UIL eligible) then that seems kind of weird to me.

Also, if teams that want to be eligible for the UIL state champs need to bag their robot to compete in late July (a minimum of about 2 months after their last event) - I also see that as a negative.

I see a lot of benefits to being in the UIL pilot program for sure, and maybe there was pressure to join now since BEST is joining and we didn't want to get left behind - but it sure does seem like it would work a lot smoother to crown UIL state champs based on the highest ranked eligible team based on district points - which hopefully is right around the corner.

I guess worst case scenario is we have one or two more seasons where a UIL state champs is kind of kludgey, and then hopefully something that makes a little more sense. Or perhaps something will come out in the spring and it'll just be robot performance at regionals, and then some completely other criteria at TRR.

<s>or maybe Texas changes to districts between now and Feb 23rd</s>

Looking forward to more information as it comes out - especially because I've always been under the impression that UIL doesn't allow district wide teams. Even with all the questions I think it raises, I'm glad that I can start telling the school district that FIRST is now in a UIL pilot program - it could be a huge help for us.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by ahartnet

Do Minnesota or Arizona have state champs that non-eligible teams (not just non-UIL teams in Texas' case, but teams that just didn't qualify too) can compete in? I think that logistically is what could cause the most headaches, or at least questions.

All FRC teams in MN are eligible for the State Championship and to win the trophies. The Championship is an invite-only event, based on performance during the season. Every team is ranked according to the points they earn in a modified district point structure, and the top 30 are invited. If any of them decline, we continue down the list to ensure a full field of 30 at the event. It's worked out pretty well for us... I believe there's only 1 team that's been at all 4 state championships since we started, which means participation is getting spread around a bit!

[Red2486]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

All FRC teams in MN are eligible for the State Championship and to win the trophies. The Championship is an invite-only event, based on performance during the season. Every team is ranked according to the points they earn in a modified district point structure, and the top 30 are invited. If any of them decline, we continue down the list to ensure a full field of 30 at the event. It's worked out pretty well for us

I totally second this for Arizona. We've only had one Championship, last year, but it's been fantastic. It's nice to get to see teams post-championship and it serves as a good send off for senior members of a good start for drive teams with new members. We had a lot of pretty important people who were not able to make the other two regionals, but we're able to make this event.

Wirg the new AIA partnership a lot of Arizona teams are now able to hand out varsity letters for robotics. I was wondering if Minnesota also does this, and if Texas was planning on doing so.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by Red2486

I totally second this for Arizona. We've only had one Championship, last year, but it's been fantastic. It's nice to get to see teams post-championship and it serves as a good send off for senior members of a good start for drive teams with new members. We had a lot of pretty important people who were not able to make the other two regionals, but we're able to make this event.

Wirg the new AIA partnership a lot of Arizona teams are now able to hand out varsity letters for robotics. I was wondering if Minnesota also does this, and if Texas was planning on doing so.

Yes, many teams in MN offer lettering. I don't, unfortunately, have any numbers to know how many, but I would guess we'll over half. MSHSL ran a competition a few years back to design a standardized lettering patch for robotics: http://mnfirst.org/content/mshsl-lettering-patch

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Red2486

I totally second this for Arizona. We've only had one Championship, last year, but it's been fantastic. It's nice to get to see teams post-championship and it serves as a good send off for senior members of a good start for drive teams with new members. We had a lot of pretty important people who were not able to make the other two regionals, but we're able to make this event.

Texas already has 4 off-season events between June-Oct and we are probably adding a 5th this summer so having extra events isn't really an issue for us. We also have off-season events in Arkansas and Louisiana that teams can go to as well.

[Jon Stratis]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

Texas already has 4 off-season events between June-Oct and we are probably adding a 5th this summer so having extra events isn't really an issue for us. We also have off-season events in Arkansas and Louisiana that teams can go to as well.

I don't know how your events are run (obviously), but in MN there's just a different feel for the State Championship versus our other 3 off season events. The other events are minimally staffed, run by teams out of their school gyms. The State Championship has a full event staff (upwards of 100 people) of experienced volunteers, run the same as a real event. There's load-in, inspection, quals, playoffs, awards, and it's set up at the U, where we hold the 10,000 Lakes Regional. It's run at the end of the school year, so it's the final event for the season, while the other off seasons are really run at the beginning of the school year, providing an intro into the next season. At least for us, the event really stands out as something special.

[AllenGregoryIV]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

I don't know how your events are run (obviously), but in MN there's just a different feel for the State Championship versus our other 3 off season events. The other events are minimally staffed, run by teams out of their school gyms. The State Championship has a full event staff (upwards of 100 people) of experienced volunteers, run the same as a real event. There's load-in, inspection, quals, playoffs, awards, and it's set up at the U, where we hold the 10,000 Lakes Regional. It's run at the end of the school year, so it's the final event for the season, while the other off seasons are really run at the beginning of the school year, providing an intro into the next season. At least for us, the event really stands out as something special.

UIL has already said that won't be what is happening in Texas. I understand how MN works but that is very different from what Texas is doing.

[Drakxii]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

I don't know how your events are run (obviously), but in MN there's just a different feel for the State Championship versus our other 3 off season events. The other events are minimally staffed, run by teams out of their school gyms. The State Championship has a full event staff (upwards of 100 people) of experienced volunteers, run the same as a real event. There's load-in, inspection, quals, playoffs, awards, and it's set up at the U, where we hold the 10,000 Lakes Regional. It's run at the end of the school year, so it's the final event for the season, while the other off seasons are really run at the beginning of the school year, providing an intro into the next season. At least for us, the event really stands out as something special.

This sounds like a great event, that a team would be really proud to be invited to.

[Mykey]

Originally Posted by Jon Stratis

I don't know how your events are run (obviously), but in MN there's just a different feel for the State Championship versus our other 3 off season events. The other events are minimally staffed, run by teams out of their school gyms...

The first FIRST event that I was involved in was run in a gym in Texas. That gym based competition regularly has in it teams 57, 118, 148, 457, 624, 2158, 2468, 2587, 3847, and a bunch of other world class teams. the level of help that those teams give (including robots for pre-rookie teams to use) is incredible. Don't underrate the power of those "small" off season competitions. They were also extremely well run and the direct and intense attention given to the "new kids" is amazing.

Having another event in Texas (or anywhere else) is always welcome. I do hope to see more an more of them. I am just not sure it has to be all that much larger.

From all I have heard and seen Texas is moving to a district system. I will make up my mind on whether or not it is a good thing when I see how it turns out.

In terms of UIL... More support to FIRST is a good thing. The way that they are approaching this seems like a good path. The level of inclusion does not seem so great though. Nothing like excluding the teams that are based on Girl Scout Troops (Go Lady Cans!), Boy Scout Troops, Explorer groups (Screaming Chickens!), home schoolers (My own daughters), most secular private schools, K-12 online public school students, religious private schools (Go Iron Fangs!) and any other non-Texas Education Agency (TEA) or Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC) accredited group.

There is a very large section of the FRC population that will not be recognized by UIL.

At this point I think it is good for FIRST to have UIL support. I just hope that UIL will at some point be a bit more open to diverse groups.

[Coach Norm]

This conversation has been going on for a while here in Texas.

University Interscholastic League was the first organization of its kind. It started as an organization to govern the Debate league in Texas. It is the governing body for school activities including athletic, academic and music contest for primarily public schools in the state of Texas. It is a membership association of schools. A few private schools have joined the ranks in primarily athletic contests.

Last October, UIL held the executive council meeting and there were 9-10 different speakers who addressed the council including BEST, VEX, FIRST, Texas Computer Educators Association and several mentors from teams. Many spoke on the impact their program had on students as well as schools. I believe they were very shocked to have that many speakers there for Robotics/STEM.

UIL declares a champion in all high school sanctioned activities in the state. In fact, sports have multiple champions due to school size classifications.

They have made it very clear that non UIL schools will not be eligible to compete for the UIL state championship. Many of the concerns raised from several people was the fact that districts are coming and will we declare a champion in addition to the district champions. I do not believe that UIL will be more open in the future in this area due to their current policies.

UIL will not effect FIRST competitions and qualifications for Champs.

UIL sanctioning of robotics is a good thing I believe. As Jess says, it legitimizes extra curricular activities in the state. Schools that do not have robotics at this point will and have received official notification and information from UIL. This does provides validity in support from a state agency. At this point, it does not mean more finances but it may provide more evidence and pressure of government and legislatures. Obviously Michigan is proof of a state getting on board with financing from the state.

It will be interesting to see if the event stays in conjunction with TRR in the future.

[jjeter]

Two questions.
1) How will teams that span multiple campuses be included in this, as it is on a school by school basis?

2) Have any details been released on selection process for states?