Best Regional in the East

Competition Regional Competitions
#26

I’ll rate the East Coast regionals that I’ve been to.

Chesapeake (2003, 2004, 2005):
Big venue with alot of teams. The venue may be too large though, as you don’t get that “atmosphere” and feeling of excitement you get at some smaller events. The field typically has a few upper teir teams in FIRST, but usually lacks depth after the first and second levels of teams. Bonus points for Jeff Seaton as MC though.
5.5/10

Philly @ Drexel (2001, but I also attended twice when it was at Temple):
Smaller venue and a small field of teams, but “pound for pound” may be one of the most competative regionals. Many loyal upper level teams attend (341, 357, 365, etc.). Smaller venue lends to a more intense and friendly atmosphere.
7.5/10

Peachtree (2006):
Held at a convention center, so seating is inferior to that in a sporting venue. Feeling in the arena is similar to Chesapeake, as it doesn’t generate the same atmosphere as VCU, Philly or some other regionals. A mid-sized field of teams, most from Georgia, and a few from other locations in the South. Rarely draws teams from further than Virginia. Convention center does allow for a full sized practice field (provided by 1002 in 2006), and judges rooms away from the action (which can be preferable for preparing to do a Chairman’s presentation). Worst food ever though. Lower competative level than other regionals leads for a higher unpredicability and ability for rookies to compete well.
6/10

VCU (2001-2006):
The absolute best venue I have ever expierienced (and I have expierienced 13 different venues for FIRST competitions). Large field of teams, a vast majority from Virginia. Most of the teams are local and lower budget, meaning there is a great deal of paridy, allowing for unpredictability, excitement, and rookie competition. Draws loyalty from many outside travelling teams (843 has come down from Canada 3 or 4 times, 447 came two years in a row from Indiana, 383 made several trips from Brazil), and local teams alike (very few decide to goto Chesapeake instead of VCU). Has a small “upper crust” of highly competative teams, and occasionally draws major outside competitors (33, 64, 365). Close proximity to a Krispy Kreme. Often the site of the first “game hint” for the next seasons competition. Jeff Seaton is also MC!
9/10

#27

i would have to say the best regional in the east is NJ and i have proof, if you look back at the history of the Mid-Atlantic Regional, all those “crazy scary” midwest teams that everyone is afraid to loose too, used to come out to Jersey to compete, and have never won the regional away from the east coast, and now they are too afraid to come back to where it all began just to be beaten

1997 what is now team 75
1998 what is now 175 Buzz
1999 teams 75 and 89
2000 Teams 25, 293 , and 175

#28

Missing out on all the best :wink:
Palmetto and Jersey of course!

#29

I’m a little biased, but I’d say my favourite in the East is GTR. I also loved Finger Lakes when my team went there while I was in high school! (I didn’t make it to the 2006 one unfortunately.)

#30

Truly depends on the definition of Best. Therefore, all above arguements are valid within their specified parameters. Congrats all of East, you have the best regionals.

#31

I’m kinda biased, if I say NJ, seeing as how it’s my home regional, but I love Philly too.

NJ has always had a great team of volunteers behind it, and the competition is as fierce as any Championship event, however the arena is a little iffy (although we’re trying to fix that for this year)

NJ might have me and Chiniqua, but so does Philly (we’re an equal opportunity supporter)

Philly the fans are great, the crowd gets pumped…plus it’s only a walking distance to Cereality…a cafe that serves only cereal…it’s great.

#32

Excluding the NYC Regional,
my top three (from past experiences and from speaking to other mentors & coaches) East coast Regionals are:

  1. NJ Regional- competitive, awesome plays and entertaining
  2. VCU Regional- Friendly, big and fun
  3. Long Island- friendly, comfortable and a place I can bring the whole family.
#33

Is there anyone in FIRST who has attended every one of these regionals? Otherwise how can anyone attest to making an actual informed opinion when there is so much unknown?

#34

My viewpoint comes from attending Granite State Regional, NJ, Philly, Pittsburgh, Finger Lakes, Detroit, Waterloo, GTR, West Michigan and Buckeye. No I haven’t seen them all yet but I am trying.

#35

My top picks from best to worst

UTC
Finger Lakes
Boston
New Jersey
VCU
Florida
Philadeplphia
New Hampshire
Long Island
Chesapeake
NYC

(I have been to UTC, Fingerlakes, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Long Island, New Hampshire, NYC)

#36

I have to vote for the hometown regional, UTC-Connecticut. :slight_smile:

#37

My team has been to NJ, Philly, UTC, Florida, Long Island, and Granite State. I have had a lot of contact with teams that said good things about Boston, Chesapeake and Finger Lakes. This year we are going to tryout Toronto to see what all the shouting is about…out West :slight_smile:

I’ll let you guess my vote :wink:

#38

Steve, Expand your viewpoint. Come visit the Chesapeake (-;

#39

Ed, you’ve identified one skew for the events. Here’s a few more:

  1. the age of the Regional (the younger Finger Lakes scores quite well against grandfather New Jersey – give it a few more years)

  2. the number of different teams who have attended the specific regional over the years (VCU is a large regional, Pittsburgh is smaller, so even if they were equal in age, VCU should receive more raw votes just due to the fact that more teams would pass through)

As Ed says, “Best” is a poor descriptor for this judgement. “Favorite” would be a better one.

My favorite is always "The Next One!"

#40

It’s the same weekend as Detroit. However if I don’t get asked there is a chance that I might make the trip.

#41

How can you say best venue ever? Have you been to every venue?

#42

At FLR, I love the “family” atmosphere. The pits aren’t very big, so it takes you no longer than 30 seconds to walk from one end of the pit to the other. The stands are right near the field, so teams can come down right next to the field and cheer their team on. It’s very cool, because as the drive team exits the field, we can get input and congratulations from team members as we walk out, and 10 seconds later, were back to our pit.
If any team is in need of anything, any other team is right there to help. Whether its programming, electrical or simply in need of a hammer, any team is ready and willing to stand up and help.
Friendships can be made, and kept at FLR, due to the fact that most teams that attend this event are no longer than 30 minutes away from each other.
FLR is a great experience. Even though teams such as 1126, 191, 340, and many others don’t get the experience of travelling to a Regional, the experience we do receive at FLR is indescribable.
I encourage any of you they may be in the area, or are even a little bit out of the way, come to the FLR 2007, you’ll walk away changed.

#43

very good description of it and i must agree whole heartedly!!! i love the fact that anything you need is always within your hands around 1-10minutes after you ask. also like you said the “family” atmosphere is huge. it is more like the feeling of a family reunion with a robotics competition instead of a robotics competition where you see a bunch of random people.

#44

Richmond has my vote.

#45

How do you define best??

Do you define it as the most competitive?
Do you define it as the biggest or smallest event?
Do you define it as the nicest venue?

“Best” is certainly one for personal interpretation.
Over the years:
coughs coughs Was even a spectator at the “Barn” in New Brunswick.
I have participated in New Jersey and Chesapeake.
I have been a spectator at New York, and Philadelphia.

Given that I am only familiar with 4 regionals I can only vote from what I know and what I have seen.

Chesapeake certainly is one of the nicest events I’ve been to, both in quality and environment.

Philadelphia certainly is nicer neighborhood than Trenton, if the venue was larger to hold more teams or more spectators it would be even better.

New York has a solid level of competition. Being they are going to be in the Javits Center, I anticipate it will only get bigger and better.

New Jersey “appears” to have a slightly higher level of competitiveness than the others, but the neighborhood and the arragement with the venue leaves something to be desired at best.

So how do you rate best? I have to stick with my home regional and say New Jersey for now, but I won’t count out anyone for the future.