I was wondering from those on CD what your opinion is on this.
People argue against me saying that robotics ISN’T a sport while I think it does, I think one other person on the team agrees with me but I want to hear your opinions and maybe some reasoning why or why not.
Try searching, there have been plenty of threads on this matter.
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=67754&highlight=SPort is one of them.
I dont consider robotics a sport, but I do consider tournaments a sporting event. Saying robotics is a little to general to be called a sport. If you would ask is Overdrive a sport, I would probably say yes. When I think of a sport I think of a game such as football or baseball. Robotics isnt really a game, but Overdrive is.
Joey
Sports are not Robotics 
Thats all that matters…
I’ll just say one thing…
If robotics is a sport, it’s the best one there is.
If it’s not…It’s still awesome!
I think if you can consider NASCAR to be a sport, then calling FIRST a sport isn’t too much of a stretch. However, you need to consider the differences in sport and FIRST. The goal of a sport is to win.
I’ve been to some of Dean’s speeches to mostly industry leaders and executives, and he explicitly refers to FRC as a sport there.
I’d imagine that Dean refers to robotics as a sport because sports is the closest analogy to FIRST that most people have.
FIRST is not a sport. Robotics is not a sport. Overdrive is not a sport. That would be degrading it. However, it depends how you define sport, because if you define sport very liberally, it might be considered a sport. I also, personally don’t consider NASCAR, or things like chess sports, but this thread isn’t about that.
This is from the FIRST website. FRC is being marketed as sport.
If we put aside any other negative or positive connotations with sport and look at the definition. Other sports like baseball, football, running, cycling, or basketball may have blemished the term sport. In the past, I’ve done baseball, lacrosse, swimming, and cycling. Although FIRST is nowhere near as physically extreneous as these sports, there are physical aspects to it.
Some people do sport also to train, get in shape, or meet others. To this definition, FIRST applies, train for the future, get in shape with tools and mallets, and meeting others on your team and other teams.
Another definition of Sport is:
Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
Human players do get fairly physical, and so do drivers as they get robots on and off the field and while driving. The pit crew joins them in getting physical as they work on the robot. Scouts get physical as they go around the pits. Rules, game rules we are given each year.
Another definition:
One known for the manner of one’s acceptance of rules, especially of a game, or of a difficult situation.
ex: What a good sport, he shook the hands of the opposing team after the game.
Sounds like something FIRST has been trying to teach.
According to these definitions, FIRST is a sport. According to my definition of a fun recreational activity, FIRST is a sport as well. Play on!:rolleyes:
Sir, allow me to violently agree with you for a moment.
Sport is an activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively. Sports commonly refer to activities where the physical capabilities of the competitor are the sole or primary determiner of the outcome (winning or losing), but the term is also used to include activities such as mind sports (a common name for some card games and board games with little to no element of chance) and motor sports where mental acuity or equipment quality are major factors. (–Wikipedia)
Professional Baseball/football/etc are degrading to other sports. Some folks down play the word “sport” in association with FIRST because of this popular degradation.
FIRST IS NOT A SPORT!
First IS an addiction, obsession, and an enslavement,
But best of all it’s the way of life we all have chosen to follow.
Hmmmmm,
I’ve always considered a sport a physical thing, and haven’t really considered FIRST a sport ever.
However, it still is an exciting, competitive event. So, the title really doesn’t matter to me.
Actually no Michelle, that isn’t what that thread is about. That is a different discussion weighing the pros and cons of FIRST’s culture becoming sport-like. It’s not a debate as to whether or not FIRST is a sport.
If ESPN shows it, it’s a “sport”, right? If so, poker is a sport (definition-wise, it’s a game). FIRST beats poker at being a sport. (Not to mention that ESPN used to show FIRST championships, IIRC.)
Different people will see it different ways. I think it’s a sport for the mind.
Interesting point.
As some pointed out, FIRST is being explained and marketed as a sport. There are a lot of aspects of it that are in-line with the definitions of sports (also outlined in other posts above). However, robotics is certainly not seen as a traditional sport.
My conclusion: yes, it is a sport, albeit a non-traditional one.
Robotics is not a sport, but then again I don’t consider automobile racing a sport either.
HOWEVER, as others have stated, I’ll chime in. FIRST is an awesome outlet for the competitive energies of kids who usually don’t fit too well in other things, and sometimes end up barely if ever using their skills.
I only wish I’d known about FIRST my freshman year! 
-q
in the end, everyone has there own opinions, even if Dean Kamen himself came out and said First is an official sport, people will still have their own thoughts, and ten years from now when First will be switched in for baseball as America’s pass time, there will still be doubts as to if First is a sport.
FIRST is NOT a sport. The most physically unfit person in the world could be awesome with FIRST.
Racing in most cases, can be considered a sport due to the extreme G forces placed on the body and the fitness required to be able to do what they have to do. Mainly, open wheeled cars require the driver to be fairly fit. NASCAR, not so much.
NASCAR is not and never will be a sport. The best argument I’ve heard is that it’s hot and really long. So are marathons but they’re running the entire time instead of sitting there.
I agree with what Kyle said. FRC in it’s current format isn’t a sport because of the lack of physical exertion.