Tournament registration for NY Excelsior Region teams is open in early November through February (or until full).

Teams Register Here

Volunteer for our FIRST  Events

Coaches' Coffee Hours

Team Guides (updated after November)

Current Teams List 

 

NY EXCELSIOR FIRST TECH CHALLENGE TEAMS

first tech challenge

first region map

EVENTS SCHEDULE

The NY Excelsior (NY EX) FIRST Tech Challenge community of robotics teams proudly encompasses all of New York State except New York City and Long Island. So we may best serve our many teams, tournaments are closed to non-NY Excelsior teams.

FIRST Come FIRST Served Registration for Qualifiers is open in early November through February (or until full). Thoroughly review the important details in the document linked above in the "Teams Register Here" button.

Kickoffs: NY EX Region

Info and Registration

Sat., Sept. 7, 2024 Albany (in-person and remote), Utica, Buffalo, Peekskill, Clarkson U., and Corning areas
Workshops, Workdays, & Scrimmages Schedule Free and fun offerings from our teams!

John Jay Qualifier

Sat., Dec. 7, 2024

John Jay Sr. High School, Hopewell Junction (Map)

Finger Lakes Qualifier

Sun., Dec. 8, 2024

Penfield High School, near Rochester (Map)

Utica MVCC Qualifier

Sun., Jan. 12, 2025

Mohawk Valley Community College (Map)

Albany Academies Qualifier

Sat., Jan. 18, 2025

Albany Academies, Albany (Map)

Buffalo Qualifier Sun., Jan.19, 2025 Buffalo Academy of Science, Buffalo (Map)
Broadalbin-Perth Qualifier Sun., Jan. 26, 2025 Broadalbin-Perth High School, Broadalbin (Map)
Clarkson University Qualifier Sat., Feb. 1, 2025 Schuler Educational Resources Center (ERC) [building  34 on campus map], Potsdam (MAP) ( Campus map)
Peekskill Qualifier Sat., Feb. 8, 2025 Peekskill High School, Peekskill (Map)
Corning Qualifier Sun., Feb. 9, 2025 Corning-Painted Post High School Fieldhouse, Corning (Map)

 

NY EX - Dean's List Nomination Deadline

Jan. 15, 2025;
11 p.m.
Dean’s List Nomination Guide -- but our deadline to the left here is CUSTOM, so NOT in the Guide.
NY EX Dean's List Interviews (Remote by Video/Phone) Feb. 11, 12, 13, 2025 NY EX Interviews will take place via a scheduled video/phone conference. Schedule will be coordinated in the weeks after the nomination deadline.

Advancement**: One-third of each season’s competing teams advance to the NY EX Regional Championship

NY EX Qualifiers each advance between 2-5 teams to the NY EX Regional Championship. Number of advancement spots from each are determined at the event as they must be proportionate to the actual number of teams competing at each Qualifier. Advancing teams are invited through announcements at each Closing Ceremony, and again via email to the Coaches thereafter.

**Advancement to the next tournament level is determined by team performance and awards.

Outlined in great detail every season in the “Advancement Criteria” section of the Competition Manual.

**NY Excelsior Regional MVCC Championship Sun., March 9, 2025 Mohawk Valley Community College, Utica, N.Y. (Map)
The top 3 teams from the NY EX Championship (**as per the "Order of Advancement") advance to the FIRST World Championship in Houston, Texas.
FIRST World Championship April 16-19, 2025 Houston, Texas

 


General FIRST Tech Challenge Tournament Schedule

7 a.m. — Volunteers Arrive

7-7:30 a.m. — Volunteer Meetings

7:30 a.m. — Teams Arrive and Check-in; Judges Interview Times Given

8-10 a.m. — Team Robot and Field Inspections

7:45-9:45 a.m. — Scheduled Judges' Interviews

9:50 a.m. — Driver's Meeting with the fabulous Head Ref

10:15 a.m. — Opening Ceremony

10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. — Qualification Matches

12:30-1 p.m. — Lunch Break ***

1:10-3:30 p.m. — Qualification Matches Continue

3:30 p.m. — Alliance Selection

3:45-5 p.m. — Semi-Final and Elimination Matches

5:15 p.m. — Awards/Closing Ceremony

6 or 7 p.m. — Pit Cleanup and Load Out


* Please be aware that tournaments sometimes run long. 

*** FOOD Options (only ½ hour lunch):

  • Most events have a pre-order, delivered lunch form, and/or snack bar.
  • Bring your own.
  • You can find something locally, but most venues are far from any lunch sources.

Specific options will be outlined in each event’s Team Guide