[FTC]: Event Nomenclature

[ManicMechanic]

I am hoping that FTC has a better way of distinguishing its various levels of tournaments this year. Last year, regional events were "Championships" and the big Atlanta event was "The Championship" -- very confusing. In contrast, FLL and FRC seem to have better ways of distinguishing events. The generally accepted terminology seems to be:

FLL: (Non-qualifying locals and) Regionals --> Championships (formerly State events) -- > World Festival
FRC: Regionals --> Nationals (according to Dean, but "World Championship" to others)

Personally, I like the Regional --> State --> National/World model, as it's easily understood by those outside the robotics world.

Another thing that troubles me is that when I went to this link for last year's events:
http://www.usfirst.org/whatsgoingon.aspx
I found that there were no events listed in CA for FTC, even through there were 3 FVC Championship events last year. This gives newcomers the impression that there were no events nearby last year and that there are not likely to be nearby events this year. Is FVC and the foundation it provides for FTC being completely ignored?

[Richard Wallace]

Originally Posted by ManicMechanic

... Another thing that troubles me is that when I went to this link for last year's events:
http://www.usfirst.org/whatsgoingon.aspx
I found that there were no events listed in CA for FTC, even through there were 3 FVC Championship events last year. This gives newcomers the impression that there were no events nearby last year and that there are not likely to be nearby events this year. Is FVC and the foundation it provides for FTC being completely ignored?

As one who has volunteered at the "FVC Pilot" events held here in Fall 2005 and Fall 2006, I am also disturbed by the omission you pointed out above. I agree it could give newcomers an incorrect and undesirable (FIRST) impression.

However, the effect is temporary, and should be corrected when the new schedule of FTC events hits the website, probably in the next month or so.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by ManicMechanic

I am hoping that FTC has a better way of distinguishing its various levels of tournaments this year. Last year, regional events were "Championships" and the big Atlanta event was "The Championship" -- very confusing. In contrast, FLL and FRC seem to have better ways of distinguishing events. The generally accepted terminology seems to be:

FLL: (Non-qualifying locals and) Regionals --> Championships (formerly State events) -- > World Festival
FRC: Regionals --> Nationals (according to Dean, but "World Championship" to others)

Because The notion of APs being responsible for States has absolutely no meaning outside of the internal paperwork of FIRST, and therefore has absolutely no effect on how FTC teams are run or where they compete; I recommend calling the events before the World Championship something other than "State___".

It is extremely confusing to have more than one Championship, I don't recommend calling these events leading up to the World Championship, the " ___ Championships".

I recommend calling them ___ Regional Tournaments. Fill in the blanks with either the name of a well-known landmark or geographic feature, or with the name of the host city.

Calling an intermediate event the ___ Championship very strongly implies that participation is limited to teams within the borders of ___, and as we all know that isn't the case. Anyone from anywhere can participate in any competition.

Calling an event the ___ Regional describes exactly what is occurring. Any one from the region around the event may participate. Regions are not constrained by state, national, hemispheric or other boundaries.

Blake

[Rich Kressly]

There is a date listed for when upcoming tournaments will be posted, and other info for this coming year is also available here:
http://www.usfirst.org/what/fvc/content.aspx?id=384

[GaryVoshol]

Originally Posted by Rich Kressly

http://www.usfirst.org/what/fvc/content.aspx?id=384

Heh - look at that url.

The structure of FVC last year was pretty much like FRC, wasn't it? You went to a regional to qualify for Atlanta. If as Yolande says the regional was called a Championship, then in FTC either that should change or Atlanta should be called something else. For now I imagine it will remain a two-tier system.

FLL on the other hand is a 3-tier system (or maybe even 4). There (non-qualifying) local events, Qualifying Events, Championships (fka "State") and the World Festival. In some areas, there are no qualifying events to get to the championships. For example, in some states with smaller FLL team populations, everyone who registered was eligible for the State Championship.