The Alumni Magazine for Worcester Polytechnic Institute. (WPI)
Issue link: http://wpialumnimag.epubxp.com/i/65892
"Robots are strangely indifferent to cheer- ing," quips Shaver, who points out that each competition brings its own unique challenge. "For instance, you may be required to manipu- late a robot located a thousand miles away. So the event's location may be secondary." Adequate space, however, is primary. "We just hosted a competition with 48 high school teams," says Shaver. "But we had another 32 teams wait-listed because we just didn't have the room." The rec center will offer ample room to grow—and Harrington Auditorium is part of the reason. Among the last build-outs of the rec center will be a short walkway connecting it to Harrington, allowing competitors to pre- pare in one building while the actual competi- tion takes place in the other. "It will be a major improvement for specta- tors, too," says Shaver. "We often cut back on seating to accommodate more teams. Soon we'll be able to accommodate both." Robotics competitions, even at the high school level, offer valuable learning experienc- es for WPI students, says Shaver. "They serve as coaches, mentors, and sometimes accountants, DV WKH\ DGYLVH ULJKW GRZQ WR WKH FRVW EHQHƂW analysis of a certain design or technique." A natural byproduct of robotics competitions is college recruitment, as high school students arrive on campus by the busloads, often get- WLQJ WKHLU ƂUVW ORRN DW D XQLYHUVLW\ GHGLFDWHG WR science and engineering. Dean of Admissions Ed Connor '92 sees the new center as a power- ful recruiting tool. "Tour stops at the old gym were increasingly counterproductive," he says. "We would talk about our excellent coaches, the dedication of our student-athletes, and the many successes of our teams. But the facility it- self was not a strong selling point." Connor says he can envision campus tours beginning with the rec center come fall, as it will be a major sell- ing point for prospective students. While many colleges have the advantage of state-of-the-art athletic complexes, WPI's var- sity teams have learned to compete under less than optimal circumstances. A lesser program PLJKW KDYH GHƃDWHG IURP D ODFN RI IDFLOLWLHV but WPI athletics have continued to be success- ful, evidenced by winning the Worcester Cup Challenge three years running, and six of the last eight years. "Our coaches are outstanding and they have never used our facilities as an excuse," says Har- mon, citing the swim team's success despite never hosting a home meet because the pool, constructed in 1916 and affectionately known as "The Tub," was simply too small. "We have always demanded the best of our players even though we haven't had the facilities some oth- er teams had." Now, a century after alumni banded together to build Alumni Gym, and 45 years after the construction of Harrington, it's about to be a whole new ball game. Spring 2012 33