T-VEX 9090C Official Worlds Clarification

VEX Robotics Competition Discussion VRC > Previous Games
1

Hello all,

Team 9090C was competing in the Technology Division, but (as many of you have probably heard) we were disqualified from the 2014 World Championship after the first day. The reason was modified motors.

We had passed inspection with absolutely normal motors, but halfway through the day, we discovered that our lift was unbalanced. After further scrutiny, we realized that one of the lift motors was broken. Therefore, we changed it to one of the extra motors that we had brought as spares. Spares that we believed were new motors. Apparently, we also changed a motor on the other side to be even better balanced (you know, one old-one new for each side of the lift). Unbeknownst to the whole team, a few motors in our collection had been “experimented with” by certain coaches/mentors. Unluckily, the replacement motors were such. Due to this rather ugly surprise, our robot failed the motor check, and we were, unfortunately, DQed.

First of all, our team would like to offer a sincere and formal apology for this incident. All excuses aside, we gave a lot of trouble to the RECF and all of the people dedicated to the VEX Robotics Competition. We completely understand and respect the decision that was made. That being said, we were still able to make the most out of the experience through helping others in need, volunteering, ambassador-ing, etc., and we are thankful for the experience.

Also, we’d like to thank the various teams that embraced our members as their own and defended us on the threads. You guys know who you are, and you really made our experience memorable, despite our setback. Thank you very much; we had a wonderful time. :wink: (not to mention, the shirts are cool)

On a personal note, as a senior, I was disappointed to end the season in this manner. But all in all, I believe that the experience was definitely a lesson worth learning for all of our TVEX teams as well as any team participating in VRC. It served as a reminder to all that it really isn’t worth it to go about it the wrong way. And the actions of one or only a few crucial people can essentially impact the whole team. For better or for worse. So really, let’s all remember the importance of integrity in this competition. And you know, the importance of having fun! Things like this aren’t fun. :cool:

Anyways, I have confidence that 9090C can rise from this and become an even better team for Skyrise, as I trust in the excellence and hardworking spirit of the individual team members. We have great potential in our team (yes you, Tiger, but not only you). All of our members worked honestly and tirelessly for Toss Up, and we had an awesome season overall. I’m proud to have been a part of VEX Robotics, and I’ve especially loved coaching, programming, and working with team 9090C. A HUGEEE congratulations to 9090A for winning Programming Skills World Champion and advancing to division semifinals (thanks 26, 231A). Oh, and to 9090S and 9090Z, our awesome IQ teams. Whatever TVEX becomes in the future, I know it’ll be great.

So… you know… look out for us. :smiley:

VEX Robotics rocks. You all rock. Let’s all be happy.

Sincerely,
Lucy…
and Tiger, Amy, Abram, Angela, Terrence, William

2

I was volunteering at the U.S. Open and your robot was in the top ten of all the robots very professional and put up and good fight in the finals sorry that this happened.

3

You have our full support. I have had the pleasure of serving as a judge in the past. I have always enjoyed meeting with you and it has been amazing watching you guys get better and better each year. You are a model for all of the teams in our area and the one group my teams look up to. You are their idols and what happened at World’s will not change that. We had our own setback which cost us a chance of being in the top eight of our division. A match was incorrectly scored and no one was really helpful in righting the wrong. My video evidence was not allowed. So we dropped to 13th and were not picked up for elimination rounds. There is a lot of emphasis on ensuring that teams don’t find creative ways around the rules, but there has been very little to ensure that the right calls are made or that teams have the opportunity to truly state their case. I totally respect REC and VEX, and know they will find a way to improve this area, but man it really hurt watching my kids lose that way. So keep your heads up and know that you will always have our support and admiration.

Team 7504E

4

Unfortunately we were not at Worlds this year, so I won’t comment on what happened there. Doesn’t matter. You guys have always been a class act. Ever since our first competition together in 2008, We have respected what you have been able to accomplish in the VEX robotics arena.

We look forward to competing with you again in Skyrise with honor and dignity!

Good luck Lucy in your next level of education. I know that you will be successful.

Paul

5

If you guys passed inspection the first time and with your guys record why didn’t they let you replace it because I’m pretty sure nobody would believe that you did it on purpose. Also why would they not let you replace it and take a penalty? Also in skyrise you guys will have a huge advantage since you already have a awesome scissor lift.

6

First of all, thanks to Lucy for writing what I was procrastinating on.

As disappointed as we were after being unable to compete at the World Competition after a year of hard work, I must say that I completely understand the decision that was made… it doesn’t exactly set a good precedent to be lenient when a team is caught with modded motors.

Hopefully what happened will further discourage any cheating in the future-- modding motors is a terrible idea, and it’s extremely unfair to your team/teammates, the parents, the sponsors, any team you may be allied with or against, and in fact everyone at that event.

If for some reason you don’t care about fairness… well then trust me, sitting out at a competition you spent many months preparing for is something you do not want to experience.

On another note, a huge thank you to everyone for being so supportive :slight_smile:
I am extremely excited about Skyrise, and can’t wait for all this pesky AP testing to be over with so I can start building.

7

Good luck guys! We know how it feels to not be able to compete even after working so hard throughout the year (we weren’t even able to make it to our State Championship even though we had qualified) but it’s situations like these that drives us all to overcome problems and perform even better the next time! Hopefully we’ll see you guys and all of the other great teams at Worlds this year (I certainly hope so since it’ll be our last H.S. competitive year :D)

8

Thank you all very much for your kind words. Your support means the world to us, and we hope that we can continue to improve and impress in VEX! :slight_smile: And Tesla, good luck to your teams in the new season!

-9090C

Thank you, Paul!! It was a pleasure competing with/against KAOS this season, and I’m sure we’ll see them continue to excel, good luck!

And thanks for your inspiring words. VEX is pretty much the best thing that happened to me in high school and has inspired me to look into engineering/compsci. I’ll definitely be keeping tabs on the new season’s developments in college!

-Lucy