2009 Regional Dates Announced (Unofficial)

[Vikesrock]

Originally Posted by RMiller

My understanding is that the will be on the Minneapolis University of Minnesota campus. One in Williams Arena where is was this year and one in Mariucci Arena.

Last I heard about numbers of MN teams was this: last year there were 54 teams (38 rookies, 14 second year teams, a third year team, and a fourth year team). From my understanding, there shouldn't be any loss of teams. Beyond that, there were at least 20+ teams already planning to start a team during the late spring time frame. As was mentioned previously, there were enough teams from the Dakotas and Minnesota, that not all those teams could go to Minneapolis. On top of that, only five teams from outside the Dakotas and MN were able to come.
That is the reason for the multiple regionals. I didn't realize though that they decided to go that route versus a super regional.

This is correct. The North Star Regional will be held in Mariucci Arena and the 10,000 Lakes Regional will be held in Williams Arena (with pits in the Sports Pavillion). Someone previously in the thread mentioned the events being 3 miles away from each other, the buildings are actually right across the street from each other.

If I had to guess the reason that they choose to go with this dual regional setup I would say that decision likely fell out of the available venues. They couldn't make a single regional much if any bigger than it was this past year and demand for space already exceeded the number of spots even if just MN and Dakota's teams were counted (10 MN teams attended WI as their only regional and only 5 teams outside MN, ND, SD came to MN). Unlike a number of the University of Minnesota buildings Marriuci and Williams Arena are not connected by underground tunnels and routinely transporting robots outside in the winter in MN is just not a good idea. So the only real way they could increase capacity would be to have two separate events so the robots did not have to travel between the venues.

For those that are unsure of why MN has 2 simultaneous regionals, check the registration when all is said and done. I have a strong feeling that both events will be at max capacity.

[AndyB]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

This is correct. The North Star Regional will be held in Mariucci Arena and the 10,000 Lakes Regional will be held in Williams Arena (with pits in the Sports Pavillion). Someone previously in the thread mentioned the events being 3 miles away from each other, the buildings are actually right across the street from each other.

If I had to guess the reason that they choose to go with this dual regional setup I would say that decision likely fell out of the available venues. They couldn't make a single regional much if any bigger than it was this past year and demand for space already exceeded the number of spots even if just MN and Dakota's teams were counted (10 MN teams attended WI as their only regional and only 5 teams outside MN, ND, SD came to MN). Unlike a number of the University of Minnesota buildings Marriuci and Williams Arena are not connected by underground tunnels and routinely transporting robots outside in the winter in MN is just not a good idea. So the only real way they could increase capacity would be to have two separate events so the robots did not have to travel between the venues.

For those that are unsure of why MN has 2 simultaneous regionals, check the registration when all is said and done. I have a strong feeling that both events will be at max capacity.

This is correct. From what I heard, the options on the board were:

1.) Minnesota Double Regional
2.) 2 Minnesota Regionals, 2 Seperate Weekends
3.) Wisconsin Double Regional

Wisconsin has the pit space for a double regional, but the real problem was the growing number of Minnesota teams. Also, Minnesota is a completely independentally funded regional while Wisconsin is still relying on NASA funds for another year or two. Minnesota was the better option with all the large facilities, and the funding from 3M, Boston Scientific, and Medtronics. My guess is that they figured it was easier to do two regionals in one weekend than two different weekends. They can group a lot of things-to-do together... This isn't to say that 2 regionals in 1 weekend is an easy thing to do.

[Jeff Pahl]

Originally Posted by Vikesrock

Someone previously in the thread mentioned the events being 3 miles away from each other, the buildings are actually right across the street from each other.

If I had to guess the reason that they choose to go with this dual regional setup I would say that decision likely fell out of the available venues. They couldn't make a single regional much if any bigger than it was this past year and demand for space already exceeded the number of spots even if just MN and Dakota's teams were counted (10 MN teams attended WI as their only regional and only 5 teams outside MN, ND, SD came to MN). Unlike a number of the University of Minnesota buildings Marriuci and Williams Arena are not connected by underground tunnels and routinely transporting robots outside in the winter in MN is just not a good idea. So the only real way they could increase capacity would be to have two separate events so the robots did not have to travel between the venues.

For those that are unsure of why MN has 2 simultaneous regionals, check the registration when all is said and done. I have a strong feeling that both events will be at max capacity.

Actually, he said 0.3, but left the leading 0 off so it was hard to see...

There are no venues at the U of M that have the space for a super (2 field) regional. The U is a major supporter of FIRST in MN, to the extent that the regional last year was being held in the basketball fieldhouse while the state high school basketball tournament was held elsewhere. The regionals are being operated as seperate events, with seperate volunteer coordinators, etc. They are just across the street from each other at the same time, so it will be possible to mingle with all the teams in the state. I have not heard anything about a social event (we didn't have one last year) but if there is one I hope that it will be a single event for both groups to get together.

After several teams had to go out of state last year to compete, there was a wonderful committment on the part of the regional planning committee to make sure that every team in MN would be able to compete in the state this year. The double regional is the result.

[Beth Sweet]

Did anyone else notice that they start the regionals on Wednesday? Did the regionals add a day in the same year that the districts subtracted one?

[Madison]

Originally Posted by Beth Sweet

Did anyone else notice that they start the regionals on Wednesday? Did the regionals add a day in the same year that the districts subtracted one?

It might just be that they're pulling the information from an internal calendar. FIRST is on site the day before the regional starts.

[Dolan]

Well if the list is right about the Buckeye Regional moving to week one that’s going to be new for my team seeing how it was week 3 or 4 the last few years but I guess it will make for just as much fun.

[Nuttyman54]

Why are there two Minnesota regionals in the same week?

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Nuttyman54

Why are there two Minnesota regionals in the same week?

I think a better question would be why they even have 2 regionals at all.

[waialua359]

Our state has so much budget cuts that all schools need our Governor to sign travel docs? **cant believe it**
I had to turn in travel docs already with exact dates, times, and airfare/car rental quotes.
Thank goodness for "unofficial regional dates"

Team 359 will be attending West Coast this year.
1. Oregon week 2
2. Silicon Valley regional week 3 (home away from home)
3. Hawaii week 5
4. Championships (since we "unofficially" qualified already)

If we cant get the projected funds for this year, we will not be doing Hawaii due to double round trip robot transportation costs.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by waialua359

Our state has so much budget cuts that all schools need our Governor to sign travel docs? **cant believe it**
I had to turn in travel docs already with exact dates, times, and airfare/car rental quotes.
Thank goodness for "unofficial regional dates"

Team 359 will be attending West Coast this year.
1. Oregon week 2
2. Silicon Valley regional week 3 (home away from home)
3. Hawaii week 5
4. Championships (since we "unofficially" qualified already)

If we cant get the projected funds for this year, we will not be doing Hawaii due to double round trip robot transportation costs.

just kidding........we may not do week 3.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by waialua359

Team 359 will be attending West Coast this year.
1. Oregon week 2
2. Silicon Valley regional week 3 (home away from home)
3. Hawaii week 5
4. Championships (since we "unofficially" qualified already)

This is awesome news! We look forward to you guys coming back to San Jose. I was telling Alan at IRI how we miss seeing you guys and 368 at SVR every year.

[waialua359]

I hope 368 comes too.
Perhaps a 254, 368, 359 alliance?

[Brandon Holley]

i'm a bit excited to bump boston to week 2, yet a little saddened because it eliminates the chance for us to attend san diego or LA

[ATannahill]

i wonder if the Florida Regional will overlap with the FCAT(mandatory test for all high school students in Florida) again?

[Andrew Schuetze]

Nice to see a full set of options for teams in the southwest with weeks
1 OKC
3 Dallas
4 Bayou
5 Lonestar

Week two is State English/Language arts testing so that works really well.
I'll check the April test dates and championship and edit this post later.

Championship April 16-18
TAKS April 27 - May 1
Which gives a week to recoup and prepare for exams