To those of you who are considering mentoring an FRC team while attending college, I'd like to tell you my story, and make a simple appeal to you: Don't do it.
Read More
JVN's FRC Prank Guidelines
So you want to be part of a prank war with another team? Looking for a fun and culture enhancing back-and-forth with another team?
I highly recommend it. The bond between the Robowranglers and Robonauts was forged by playing together and against each other on the battlefield but was tempered through the great prank-war between our teams.
The Six Prank Rules:
(Okay... they're more like guidelines than rules.)
Own it. Make sure they know right away that it is from your team.
Don't impact their ability to compete. Nothing which might cause damage to the robot, or their ability to use the robot. Nothing which might cause "undue" psychological duress to their team-members.
Do it with love. Make sure they know "we prank because we care."
Try not to make it a joke at anyone's expense. The laugh should be about the insanity of the prank, not at the team being pranked. Self-deprecating pranks are wonderful. (We once gave 118 an empty box labeled "Robowrangler 2017 Gold Medals")
Go over the top. The more insane the better.
You can get away with anything... IF it's funny. So it better be funny. (Unfunny thinks can be made funny if they're insane enough.)
"JVN... thank you so much for these guidelines. Can you give me some prank ideas?"
No. We are barely creative enough to keep up with 118.
"We'd like to be in a prank war with the Robowranglers. You guys seem like fun!"
Thanks... but we've already got our chosen dance partner. If you prank us, we'll smile and laugh... but we're probably not going to prank you back.
Best of luck - and make sure to share your experience!
Contact Me Anytime!
Since I brought the blog back, at every robotics related event I've attended people have been chatting with me about it. In particular, it seems like the community is more open to asking questions about the Robowranglers and how we do things.
I had the chance to chat with many, many people in person, and many MANY more over email.
Hit Me Up: john.vneun@gmail.com
If you have questions about the blog, about how 148 operates, or just anything in general - let me know.
Read More
2018 Championship: Recap
A few weeks have passed since the Robowranglers won our third World Championship title in Houston. Everyone has had time to rest, bask in the glory, and debrief as a team. The joy of a big win can make even the most mundane stories feel significant. The normal boring competition grind made transcendent by the simple virtue of the champion's narrative.
Small rituals become big. A simple joyful release becomes a symbol of celebration. #VictorySpins
I'll do my best to tell the interesting stories from the Robowrangler Championship run. The big ones, the small ones, and the ones no one gets to typically see.
However, I remind all my readers (again, and again, and again) of the true nature of success in our sport, the real focus of the Robowrangler program, and of the most powerful lessons we learn.
That said... I'm happy to bask in the moment again, and share the experience with you.
Read More2018 Championship: Operation Blackout
The Robowranglers from Greenville, TX and the Robonauts from League City, TX have a storied history. The relationship between our two teams is... complicated.
They are some of our closest friends, and fiercest opponents. Each team has adopted former students from the other as mentors. We've traveled together. We've played together. We've fought each other. The defining characteristic of this generational saga? The Prank War.
Read More
Robowrangler Victory!
The wise man from Hammond Indiana once said:
“You don’t need to win every match, just the last one that gets played.”
I’ve always thought this was wonderful advice for aspiring FRC coaches...
As everyone (who reads this blog) probably knows by now - on Saturday April 21, 2018 under the hot lights of Houston’s Minute Maid Park the Robowranglers of Greenville High School won our third World Championship title in front of 30,000 cheering spectators.
It. Was. Fantastic.
Read More148 Shirt Trade
Want to get your hands on a grey Robowrangler shirt?
Having trouble finding a 148 student interested in trading with you?
Submit your information here: shirt.trading/148 and someone will get back to you if they're interested!
2018 Championship: Final Prep
Preparations are done. Hopes are high, and the eyes of the Greenville community turn toward the incredible students of GISD. At 7AM on April 17th, the first Robowranglers began their trek down to Houston. Their roller-coaster season is coming to an end, even as the longer journey is just beginning...
Read More2018 Championship: Alliances
With championship divisions being announced soon, robot strategists everywhere are thinking through the same hypothetical question: "Who do I want to work with?" The folks here at the House of Black are no different...
Read More