Clowns or Announcers?

[Doc Wu]

Watching a few regionals online today and I've got to wonder what some of the announcers/MCs are thinking in putting their costumes together.

I have nothing against the occasional Hawaiian shirt, sports jersey, or colored hair. It's all part of the spirit of the event, but I'm seeing one guy in a Silver Lab Coat, a big floppy hat, silly sunglasses, pants rolled up to show his colorful knee-socks and purple canvas sneakers. He'd feel right at home with Barnum & Bailey.

And that's just one example.

This strikes me as a little condescending to our kids. Do they really think this is what they want to see at a competition? Our teams are made up of High School aged kids, young adults, not children. They are world-wise and sophisticated in 2010 and I doubt that they are impressed by such theatrics.

The best announcers are those with a real personality, not one they pull out of their closet. They know the FIRST program and the teams and share that knowledge with the audience as they do their job.

Am I the only one that feels slightly put off by the clown suits or is that really what everyone wants? Or is it just a case of some adults once again completely out of touch with young people?