One thing that has suprised me this year is the lack of any noise about Mayhem on the Merrimack to be held on June 12th in Tyngsboro, MA. This competition has grown to be an extremely well organized little competition every year, yet I still see only 15 teams on the list! The Tyngsboro Tigers put in a great effort and the event runs almost flawlessly every year. The competitors attending thus far are top notch and the event promises to be a great time. I highly recommend if you aren’t signed up, to get in on it (if for nothing else, to get some practice up for Battlecry!).
Remember, by attending wonderful little competitions like these, you aren’t only supporting FIRST, but you are having fun while doing so!
I agree with you 100% Andy. Mayhem did get overlooked this year. It is nowhere near capacity, even right now.
However it seems that since there are so many quality off-season events in New England, that teams are choosing only going to the bigger events (BTB and Battlecry).
However there is a unique opportunity next year for off-season events. Since FIRST is raising prices on official events, I believe that teams would go to less official events, and go to more off-seasons. One thing I would believe that would be cool is if FIRST allowed off-seasons during the regular season. You would get a quality competition at 10x (or more) less than an official competition.
Gotta agree with you all. Mayhem has always been one of our favorites and was, in fact, one of the inspirations for BattleCry@WPI. Like Mike, we made the conscious decision some years ago to invest more energy and resources into the off-season schedule. Mayhem will be the 3rd of 7 or 8 off-seasons that Team 190 will be attending this year. Big or small, each has developed its own personality. I’ve always characterized Mayhem as a very friendly, intimate atmosphere, great affordable (cheap!) food, great competitors–we wouldn’t miss it (we’ve been to all 5 previous ones).
=(… was very upset that our team could not go today… there was miss… or should i say a very lack of by some the ones that were trying to get everyone together but oh well… thats how things go =(…
