On behalf of Texas FTC students, mentors, and volunteers, we formally protest the abrupt cancellation of the 2025 FTC Texas State Championship. 

The decision has left countless teams devastated. We are urgently calling on FIRST in Texas Leadership and FIRST HQ to reevaluate the impacts of this abrupt decision affecting hundreds of teams across our state.

Throughout each season, FTC teams across Texas work tirelessly to progress through local and regional competitions, with the goal of reaching the pinnacle state-level event. With Texas spanning over 200,000 square miles with 800 competing teams, the State Championship provides teams with a unifying, worlds-level stage of competition, bringing together teams from all corners of the state to compete, learn, and grow.

On February 12, 2025, an extremely late cancellation announcement was made by FIRST in Texas and FIRST HQ. With the Houston Regional Championship happening on February 15th and the 4 other regions hosting their Regional Championship on February 22nd, teams are left with a maximum of ten days to prepare for what is now likely a season-ending competition. This change is absolutely devastating for the students who have invested months of effort into their robots, outreach, and documentation.

Furthermore, the current advancement structure is disproportionately limiting. The North, Central, South, and West & Panhandle regions are now restricted to only two advancement slots each, even with North and Central Texas having 186 and 200 teams respectively. This is greatly unfair given that regions comparable in size and competition level have three or even four slots allotted. 

Texas is one of the most competitive FTC states, as evidenced by past performance at the World Championship:

• 12 out of 14 advancing Texas teams won robot and judging awards last season.
• Texas is home to two past Worlds Inspire Award winners and Team USA representatives, both residing in North Texas.
• Last season, four Texas teams were on winning or finalist alliances at the World Championship.
• Three Texas teams placed in Inspire at Worlds last year, with two winning their divisions and one winning overall.

Given Texas' historical and continuing success in FTC, restricting the North, Central, South, and W&P regions to just two advancement slots is unjustifiable, especially at such late notice. Texas FTC teams have consistently proven their ability to compete at the highest levels, and the decision to limit advancement opportunities to such a drastic extent is not fair for our talented students, dedicated volunteers, and passionate mentors.

We respectfully and graciously request the reinstatement of the 2025 Texas FTC State Championship or a reconsideration of the current advancement structure. At the very least, additional advancement slots should be allocated to reflect the sheer size and strength of the Texas FTC community, or FIRST in Texas and FIRST HQ should consider rescheduling regional championships to a later date to give teams time to prepare.

We understand the difficulty of navigating logistics such as venues, volunteer support, etc, but this decision has significant consequences for the students, mentors, and volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to FTC. We urge you to reconsider and work towards a solution that upholds the values of FIRST and the spirit of fair competition.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to a constructive dialogue.