Posted by Nate Smith.
Other on team #66, GM Powertrain/Willow Run HS, from Eastern Michigan University and GM Powertrain.
Posted on 10/14/2000 7:00 AM MST
Just to let everybody know who’s interested…FIRST has recently(yesterday) posted a list of the amount of space left at each event, as well as a posting with some information as to how they are handling registrations at the Michigan regionals. Follow the link…
Posted by Joe Johnson. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.
Posted on 10/14/2000 8:09 AM MST
In Reply to: FYI: Remaining Event Space Posted posted by Nate Smith on 10/14/2000 7:00 AM MST:
Wow, Is anyone else stuck by the fact the the Great Lakes Regions (GLR) is almost sold out and 47 slots remain at the Motorola Regions (MLR)?
Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to schedule them on top of eachother.
Joe J.
Posted by colleen. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #246, Blue Light Special, from John D. O’Byrant High School/Boston Latin Academy and NSTAR/Boston University/UTC/Raytheon/MassPEP.
Posted on 10/14/2000 2:38 PM MST
In Reply to: Lots of space avail in IL posted by Joe Johnson on 10/14/2000 8:09 AM MST:
One thing i noticed (that may make a slight difference in interpreting)… is that some regionals have 'capacity’s while others don’t… one of those without a set limit is the Illinois regional… but I’m assuming FIRST must has set -some- limit (maybe 75 teams or something) from which those 47 spots are left…
If the Michigan Regional had a smaller capacity, it could look like more teams are going to that than IL… i don’t know though… just a perspective to remember
Posted by Samuel Lindhorst.
Engineer on team #240, Mach Vee, from Jefferson High School and Visteon.
Posted on 10/15/2000 1:41 PM MST
In Reply to: Lots of space avail in IL posted by Joe Johnson on 10/14/2000 8:09 AM MST:
: Wow, Is anyone else stuck by the fact the the Great Lakes Regions (GLR) is almost sold out and 47 slots remain at the Motorola Regions (MLR)?
: Perhaps it wasn’t a good idea to schedule them on top of eachother.
: Joe J.
I dunno if it was GLR on the same day, or WMR available now to teams that used to go to the Midwest. I think it’s both.
It also appears FIRST decided GLR was too big, and moved it to Lansing. Although it’s nice to have exposure to FIRST in Lansing, what was once a cheap regional for many schools in the Detroit metro area has become a reletively expensive overnight regional. I hope FIRST gets a benefit in this, like a few hundred people from the capitol building coming over for a look.
I think most team’s choices for regionals are based on financial needs. When you look at what’s booked up in an area, I think you’ll find the regionals in areas with cheap accomodations are booked first.
I know New England has an even worse situation. I think FIRST is going hear quite a few complaints about this from both areas after this season. I think those areas who have been long and strong for FIRST need a little relief. Both areas deserve more or larger regionals, better situated.
Although we all want to spread FIRST, I think the strategy shouldn’t exclude continuing to put events in areas where FIRST is already strong. Even in Detroit metro, FIRST doesn’t have 20% market penetration. Putting a large event in the middle of a 20% market, may give you the critical mass to take it to a 50% market. Putting FIRST on the evening news one night in Lansing would be great, but the potential growth for FIRST would be greater if it happened in Detroit.
Sam
Posted by Joe Johnson. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.
Posted on 10/15/2000 5:13 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Lots of space avail in IL posted by Samuel Lindhorst on 10/15/2000 1:41 PM MST:
If I had my way, I think that the Great Lakes Regional should be the first FIRST regional to go to 2 stages!
Can you see it at either the Palace or (preferably) Cobo Arena? I really think that next year we could easily go over the 100 team barrier at the GLR. To my mind this calls for new thinking. I believe that at 2 stage venue held at a major arena (which to me means an NBA worthy arena) would be just the thing for us.
What do others think?
Joe J.
P.S. Before you folks out there that we would have difficulty getting that many teams think about this. There are almost 30 PUBLIC highschools in Detroit City alone while there are only a handful of teams in Detroit. Also, there are 45 high schools in Oakland county – only about a third of those currently have FIRST teams. There are similar statistics for Wayne County and Down River. If Detroit can’t support a 100+ team regional, nobody can!
Posted by S. Krussell.
Coach on team #349, Robahamas, from International Academy and Ford Motor Co…
Posted on 10/15/2000 5:48 PM MST
In Reply to: DrJoes Vision posted by Joe Johnson on 10/15/2000 5:13 PM MST:
Yep Joe, I agree. We have talked about the Silverdome, probably cheaper than the Palace.
Or how about this? The new Lions Stadium being built in Detroit. I bet my sponsor, Ford Motor Co. could be pressed into service for the Great Lakes Regional (or regionals !)
This moves away from the idea of holding these competitions at colleges and universities, but that has already happened, so I guess it is a moot point.
These are central locations for many teams in Michigan, UNLIKE having to go to MSU this year.
Posted by Nate Smith.
Other on team #66, GM Powertrain/Willow Run HS, from Eastern Michigan University and GM Powertrain.
Posted on 10/15/2000 6:56 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: DrJoes Vision posted by S. Krussell on 10/15/2000 5:48 PM MST:
: These are central locations for many teams in Michigan, UNLIKE having to go to MSU this year.
In the past few years, while we have all watched FIRST grow by leaps and bounds, the buzzword from FIRST HQ in Manchester has been ‘expansion.’ And while it seems to have been at first glance a step backward to move the Great Lakes regional to MSU AND have it the same weekend as Chicago AND put a cap on the GLR which is LOWER than the number of teams at the event last year, I beg to differ. First(no pun intended), they may be preparing for a 2 stage event by moving the event to MSU. None of us(as far as I know) have seen the venue at MSU, and it may be large enough to support two stages, but they are keeping it down to one for the first year, in order to give MSU an idea of how an event runs. Also, Dean has mentioned repeatedly that one of his goals is to have a regional within a short(~1-2 hour) drive for all teams. If this is the case, the regionals may eventually be broken into state competitions, where the best X teams from each state compete at nationals. If this is the case, what better place to hold the state tournament than just minutes from the Capitol? Finally, keeping in theme with the ‘expansion’ mindset at FIRST, moving an event to an area with virtually no involvement in FIRST is probably the best way to get people in that area knowlegable of the program and get them involved in coming years. And, if making it easier for new teams to get involved means making it slightly harder for those teams who have been involved for 2, 3, 4, or even all 10 years, then so be it. Also, by looking at the numbers for remaining space at the regionals, it is obvious that the move in location did not deter many of the teams who attended the Great Lakes regional while it was at EMU from making the jump to MSU. After all, it is still the closest regional for those teams.
Just my thoughts…trying to delve into the mind of those at FIRST to see what their intentions were when arranging the schedule for this year…as always when I try this, though, I could be entirely wrong…
Nate
Posted by Joe Johnson. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Engineer on team #47, Chief Delphi, from Pontiac Central High School and Delphi Automotive Systems.
Posted on 10/15/2000 7:42 PM MST
In Reply to: FIRST’s Vision…(imho of course) posted by Nate Smith on 10/15/2000 6:56 PM MST:
Nate, thanks for the well thought out analysis.
As to the move to MSU, I really think that that had more to do with FIRST getting the regional sponsored by a branch of the Michigan state government.
In the long run, I suppose that it will move back to the Detroit area (or else we will get another of our own). In the same way, I suppose that Manchester, NH will get its regional back in the end.
Time will tell.
Joe J.
Posted by Justin.
Other on team Blue Lightning Alumni Association from RWU sponsored by FIRST-A-holics Anonymous.
Posted on 10/15/2000 10:27 PM MST
In Reply to: My read… posted by Joe Johnson on 10/15/2000 7:42 PM MST:
Hello Everyone,
Just thought I would let you all know about the chances of Manchester getting it’s regional back. Basically I was home from school over the weekend of 10/7th…ironwork for the Manchester Civic Center, which should seat approximatley 7-10,000 is moving right along. Word has it that the facility will be open sometime in 2001. That being the case (and believe me all those who want the NE Regional back home, the home of FIRST Manchester, where it belongs…hehe okay u get the point) we should hopefully see a Manchester regional again by 2002. I’m figuring Cisco will pickup the bill. Basically…if the Civic Center opens, and we don’t see a Regional in Manchester…a lot of City officals are going to hear much more then they ever wanted to from this Manchester resident 
-Justin
P.S. Okay don’t flame me because I have nothing against there being regionals in CT, I’m planing on going to UTC’s event and I think they do a very good job. I live in Manchester so you can’t blame me for wanting to see it back in my home down where this whole thing started 
Posted by Jessica Boucher. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.
Posted on 10/16/2000 1:08 PM MST
In Reply to: Manchester getting it’s Regional Back!!! posted by Justin on 10/15/2000 10:27 PM MST:
: P.S. Okay don’t flame me because I have nothing against there being regionals in CT, I’m planing on going to UTC’s event and I think they do a very good job. I live in Manchester so you can’t blame me for wanting to see it back in my home down where this whole thing started
Lol, Justin, I dont know how other people feel about this, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Manchester with a regional. Though easier on our team’s pocketbook, getting to Hartford and back to Watertown (an hour drive, without traffic) requires commuting, something I am not fond of compared to our teams rookie year where we were shut out of UTC and had to go to Philly (I love long road trips and hotels, compared to commuting). Plus, I personally think it would ease the strain on a lot of Northern New England teams.
Just one thing, though…ok, you’ve got the regional place set up, but where would the team party go? Any suggestions?
-Jess Boucher #237
Posted by Justin.
Other on team Blue Lightning Alumni Association from RWU sponsored by FIRST-A-holics Anonymous.
Posted on 10/16/2000 5:16 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: Manchester getting it’s Regional Back!!! posted by Jessica Boucher on 10/16/2000 1:08 PM MST:
Team Party In Manch…
In the past a couple of thing have happened. One of the things I’ve missed since the regionals moved to CT was that, my old team Blue Lightning, would sponsor a party at one of the local Arcades for any FIRST team that wanted to come. Not only was it a pretty cool social oprrountiy for teams but it was a fundraiser for us as well. Back in the days (wow they are so long ago it is almost scary but I still remember them fondly!) when the NE Regional was at New Hampshire College the Team Party was held at one of the local health clubs dinner was served, Dean gave his usual status report, and there was a dance type thing dessert as well, I had some fun at those parties So that might be a possiblity again or perhaps there are other options…it’s small but maybe FIRST place might even be involved w/the party some how…as it didn’t exist back in those early days.
See you all in Manch in 2002
-Justin
Posted by Mike McIntyre. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #1, Juggernaut, from Oakland Technical Center Northeast and 3 Dimensional Services.
Posted on 10/16/2000 1:30 AM MST
In Reply to: My read… posted by Joe Johnson on 10/15/2000 7:42 PM MST:
The GLR lost a big chunk of change last year; with a $170K grant from the state this year(earmarked for ‘statewide’ initiatives), the planners felt compelled to present FIRST as a phenomena greater than greater-Detroit; the tobacco settlement that financed the grant (and the administration that funneled some of it toward FIRST) will not be around after next year, so I think a return to metro Detroit is likely. All calculations involve $$$ at some level; also realize that many venues have union constraints that would keep FIRST out. For example, when we demonstrated our robot at Cobo Hall in Detroit a few years ago, we were not allowed to roll the crated robot in and out ourselves: a union member had to push it for us. FIRST relies on a small army of volunteers to keep costs down and some unions won’t allow nonunion folks to work within their job descriptions.
Posted by Samuel Lindhorst.
Engineer on team #240, Mach Vee, from Jefferson High School and Visteon.
Posted on 10/16/2000 3:26 AM MST
In Reply to: Money talks posted by Mike McIntyre on 10/16/2000 1:30 AM MST:
Good point Mike. I’ve done a lot of trade shows in the area, and the union rules can be maddening, time consuming and expensive.
However we need to try to get around this, after all, we’re a HIGH SCHOOL athletic competition… :o) Worth a try…
Well, I’d hope we not only return to Metro Detroit, but return with a 100 team regional, and closer in than Yipsi. THAT would make the 11:00 news.
But as long as we are in Lansing, anyone thought about dragging your State Rep over for a look see and sales job? hmmmmm…
Sam
Posted by Mike Kulibaba. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Other on team #88, TJ², from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional and Depuy, a Johnson and Johnson Company.
Posted on 10/14/2000 3:49 PM MST
In Reply to: FYI: Remaining Event Space Posted posted by Nate Smith on 10/14/2000 7:00 AM MST:
I noticed that UTC and NJ are filled to compassity. I was just wondring which teams are going to either one. And I was wondering if Chaos has heard anything about how far down the waiting list they are? I hope they get in. Good luck to everyone this year
Kuli Team 88
Posted by David Kelso. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #131, C.H.A.O.S.-, from Central High School and OSRAM SYLVANIA/ Fleet .
Posted on 10/14/2000 5:33 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: who is going to NJ and/or NE posted by Mike Kulibaba on 10/14/2000 3:49 PM MST:
As far as I know, we are still first on the waiting list…what makes this more interesting is that we signed up for NJ once we found out that NE was full. And we only are going to one regional.
Posted by Mike Kulibaba. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Other on team #88, TJ², from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional and Depuy, a Johnson and Johnson Company.
Posted on 10/15/2000 9:22 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: who is going to NJ and/or NE posted by David Kelso on 10/14/2000 5:33 PM MST:
: As far as I know, we are still first on the waiting list…what makes this more interesting is that we signed up for NJ once we found out that NE was full. And we only are going to one regional.
Well Dave I know one spot opened up at NE. We were thinking about going to two regionals(NE and NJ) but when we heard that NE was filled we decided to back out cause some of the teams that belong there weren’t going to be there. Chaos belongs in NE. just like other teams that have gone to a certain regional deserve to go to back to their regional. If Delphi ever got shut out of Michican or Wildstang ever got shut out of Illinois I’m sure we would have done the same thing.Only time my team has gone to the NE regional was back in 96, in our rookie season. It would be nice to go to two regionals but not if it sacrifices another teams shot to go to their regional. We felt that a team like Chaos or another team that has gone there for many years deserves to be there. So with that said team 88 will once again be going to the JNJ regional in NJ which we have called home since 97… On another note, If Chaos get in to NE, will you drop out of NJ or are they definately on your way to Jersey, cause if you are I would love to see you guys down there. Good luck
Kuli Team 88
Posted by David Kelso. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #131, C.H.A.O.S.-, from Central High School and OSRAM SYLVANIA/ Fleet .
Posted on 10/16/2000 4:17 AM MST
In Reply to: Re: So no UTC for Chaos? posted by Mike Kulibaba on 10/15/2000 9:22 PM MST:
In a way that sounds great, but then it means we do not get to see your team until Florida. We would be attending only one regional. (But we may send a group of scouts to NJ again). We also will get to see you at all the other great NE events…Tyngsboro, WPI, River Rage etc…
Posted by Mike Kulibaba. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Other on team #88, TJ², from Bridgewater-Raynham Regional and Depuy, a Johnson and Johnson Company.
Posted on 10/16/2000 7:44 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: So no UTC for Chaos? posted by David Kelso on 10/16/2000 4:17 AM MST:
Dave,
you can bet on me and a couple of my freinds will be going down to Connecticut to see chaos and the other great teams that are always down at UTC. and if you need a couple more cheering fans I’m sure we can be of some assistance. anyway, I hope you guys get into UTC cause you guys deserve to be there, either way there is no doubt that I will see your robot before florida comes around and I would never miss an event at Tyngsboro or WPI or River Rage. Good luck
Kuli TJ²
Posted by colleen. [PICTURE: SAME | NEW | HELP]
Coach on team #246, Blue Light Special, from John D. O’Byrant High School/Boston Latin Academy and NSTAR/Boston University/UTC/Raytheon/MassPEP.
Posted on 10/14/2000 10:43 PM MST
In Reply to: Re: who is going to NJ and/or NE posted by Mike Kulibaba on 10/14/2000 3:49 PM MST:
Team 246 registered day one and we opted for Connecticut this year over NJ namely because it’s the weekend that begins spring break rather than the week after we get back (more time for college estudiantes to make up their work) and it’s closer… when we traveled to NJ we didn’t have much $$ so we had to leave at 2am and sleep on the bus to be there for thursday morning… CT will be a bit easier…
later gators
Posted by Joseph Dushko.
Coach on team #145, T-Rx, from Sherburne-Earlville Central School and Procter & Gamble Norwich.
Posted on 10/17/2000 9:13 AM MST
In Reply to: Re: who is going to NJ and/or NE posted by Mike Kulibaba on 10/14/2000 3:49 PM MST:
Team 145 (T-Rx) is going to NJ. We don’t have to miss as much school to attend that one.