As many of you probably heard, we had an issue with the division assignments. Please see the explanation below from Collin Fultz, Sr. Director of the FIRST Robotics Competition:
The division randomizer was not built to handle specific pre-known event accommodation requirements. An example of a pre-known event accommodation may be that a team requires wheelchair access and only certain fields can accommodate that, but the randomizer placed the team on a field that won’t work for them.
The output of the division randomizer met the criteria as defined in the game manual when it was first run, and every effort was made to ensure balance among the divisions after the accommodations were made. However, the limits were not re-checked after the team accommodations were made, and the divisions were made public with evaluation limits outside the acceptable limits.
We have re-run the divisions for the 2023 FIRST in Michigan State Championship event. The revised division lists are at the bottom of this email, and will be viewable on the frc-events.firstinspires.org page no later than Thursday, April 6, late morning.
We will evaluate process improvements for future seasons to help ensure limits are adhered to due to pre-known accommodations. We apologize for any confusion this may have caused.
Have an amazing State Championship!
Collin Fultz
Sr. Director, FIRST Robotics Competition
We know many of you have already started to scout the teams in your division, but it was important to us to get the divisions right. We thank Collin and his team for their commitment in ensuring you a quality experience at States.
Team 27 will now be in the Ford Division. The full list of teams and their divisions may be found right here tonight:
See you tomorrow!
Best Regards,
Gail Alpert
President, FIRST in Michigan
248-425-4148
