Thursday, January 2, 2014

A New Year of Gracious Professionalism

Similar to Ken Johnson's blog entry, we would like to express our gratitude for all of the wonderful people (volunteers, coaches, mentors and students) who have been a critical part to the FTC program in Iowa. If you haven't already done so, check out Ken's blog post.

In addition to the people, Gracious Professionalism is what makes FIRST and FTC very special.
Over the holiday break, I received an email from coach Jerry Sheehy (#6121) and it was full of Gracious Professionalism. **Check out the update at the bottom of this article!**

Background:
Team #6121 competed at the Dec. 14 event at East Buchanan High School. The final alliance was Red Alliance teams #6121 CougarBots (from Cedar Rapids, Iowa), #4324 (from Marion), #5023 (from Waterloo) and Blue Alliance teams #6113 WHO (from Cedar Rapids), #4150 (from Marion), #5445 (from Waterloo).  Red Alliance took the first match. Blue Alliance took the second match.


Jerry's email:
"At the East Buchanan FTC Qualifier, #6113 WHO called a time-out to allow the competing alliance, led by #6121 CougarBots, time to complete repairs before the third match of the finals. #6113's coach, Vince Roth, was in the stands and was unaware that his team had called the time-out until the emcee announced it to the crowd. The Red Alliance, led by Team #6121 CougarBots won the final match 133-132, earning advancement to the Iowa FTC Tournament.

After the competition, #6121 CougarBots expressed regret that #6113 WHO was not also advancing to the Iowa FTC Tournament. And, all of the remaining qualifiers are full. In appreciation of the Gracious Professionalism demonstrated by #6113 WHO, #7806 CougarBytes, (the #6121 CougarBots sister team) would like to voluntarily give #6113 WHO their competition position at the Kennedy High School FTC Qualifier on January 18th

The CougarBots and CougarBytes both wish #6113 WHO the best of luck at the Kennedy Qualifier on January 18th at Harding Middle School."
Congratulations to all who are living Gracious Professionalism. Good luck FRC teams!

Update: On Jan. 9, FTC-Iowa received the following email from the Project Manager in Mt. Vernon: 
"We, team #3549 Born to be Wired, would like to "Pay-It-Forward", by offering to give up our spot at the Kennedy Qualifier on Jan. 18th to the CougarBytes. This would allow both of the Kennedy teams to complete at the same qualifier. Having recently hosted a qualifier tournament, I can say that both Mt. Vernon teams really enjoyed participating at "home" and had a lot of local family & friends come and watch us. We think the Kennedy teams should enjoy the same experience. Good luck, CougarBytes" -- Born to be Wired, Team #3549