NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



"First Robotics" Earns Time Warner Cable Cup Grant

March 31, 2010 - American Hockey League (AHL) - Albany River Rats News Release


ALBANY, NY-The Albany River Rats, winners of the 2009-10 Time Warner Cable Cup, today announced that the club has selected the group of schools that represent FIRST Robotics to receive a $6,000 grant from Time Warner Cable.

"The Albany River Rats are pleased to join Time Warner Cable in furthering the scientific breakthroughs being accomplished at these schools by virtue of our on-ice success and community initiatives," said Rats Vice President of Marketing, Jonathan Scherzer. "We would like to thank our fans, the Phantoms, our partners at Time Warner Cable and all the organizations that applied for the Time Warner Cable Cup grant for a great season."

Local non-profit organizations were offered the opportunity to apply for the Time Warner Cable Cup grant online earlier this season and area organizations were judged on how they connected youth to opportunities that inspire them to develop the important science, technology, engineering and math skills needed to become the problem solvers of tomorrow.

Time Warner Cable Regional Vice-President of Operations John Quigley added, "We are proud to join the Albany River Rats in celebrating their victory in the Time Warner Cable Cup. As a corporation we are committed to working with community organizations such as the River Rats to promote the study of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) among our nation's youth. Through our Connect A Million Minds initiative, we will provide $100 million in grants and in-kind contributions over the next five years to make STEM fun, while fighting the stigma often associated with liking math and science. This blending of sports and academic teams promotes the idea of a complete and well rounded student as well as fostering common traits, the love of competition and the desire to win. On behalf of Time Warner Cable I thank the Rats for supporting our community partner FIRST Robotics, and for playing a role in connecting a million minds."

FIRST Robotic's mission is to inspire young people to be science and technology leaders, by engaging them in exciting mentor-based programs that build science, engineering and technology skills, that inspire innovation, and that foster well-rounded life capabilities including self-confidence, communication, and leadership.

Tech Valley's Capital Region is home to six high school FIRST Robotics teams. The program is a unique varsity sport of the mind helping students discover that engineering and science can be tremendously rewarding. Students work side-by-side with Tech Valley mentor engineers, computer programmers, technologists, and business professionals who provide priceless hands-on learning experiences. The FIRST Robotics Competition is played by robots that function autonomously and by student-operated remote-control. The robots are designed and built in six weeks by a team of high school students and engineer-mentors. These robots are up to five-feet tall and weigh up to 120 pounds.

Capital Region Area Teams:

Team 20 The Rocketeers, Shenendehowa High School, Clifton Park

Team 20 is one of the founding teams in FIRST and has been inspiring innovation, passion, and leadership in Tech Valley robotics since 1992. The team has been growing by about 10% per year, including a 20% recent increase in young women. Team 20 organizes the Tech Valley Robotics Exhibition, volunteers in community events, assists new local FIRST teams and mentors middle school Lego League teams. In the last few years, the team has won the Motorola Quality Award at the Manchester Regional in 2009, Motorola Quality Award at the Boston regional in 2008, the UTC Delphi "Driving Tomorrow's Technology" Award in both 2006 and 2007 and the UTC General Motors Industrial Design Award in 2005. www.team20.com

Team 250 The Dynamos, Capital Region Robotics, Albany

The Dynamos started in 1999 with students from a number of schools in the Capital Region. However, most members are from Colonie Central High School. Over the years, Team 250 has won the Engineering Inspiration award (twice), a gold medal, and a silver medal. In 2007, Team 250 won the Finger Lakes Regional Championship, and earned the UL Industrial Safety and Autodesk Visualization awards. More than 90% of its graduates go on to pursue college study in a science or technology field. www.team250.org/2006/250/comm.php

Team 1493 Falcons, Albany High School, Albany

Team 1493 is an inner-city team with a large minority membership. National Grid and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are the team's major sponsors. The team has about 20-25 members with four high school mentors. Additional mentors include three RPI students and three professors during the build period. The team's goal is to bring FIRST robotics to as many students as possible without imposing any financial burden on the family. Approximately 70% of team graduates have gone on to pursue college study in a science or technology field. www.ahs.albany.k12.ny.us/AHS/clubs/robotics/index.html

Team 1665 Weapons of Mass Construction, Hudson High School, Hudson

The Weapons of Mass Construction is run by two teachers. A small team of community volunteers, college students, and local engineers complete the support network for the team. The team boasts 95% of its graduating membership now attending 2 or 4 year college or vocational school. Seventy percent of these graduates are studying in the fields of math, science or engineering. The team took home the rookie All-Star award at the 2005 Hartford Regional, and placed 25th out of 68 teams in their division at the National Competition in Atlanta Georgia that same year. www.vaporizer1665.com

Team 2791 Terminal Velocity, Shaker High School, Latham

Team 2791 started competing with FIRST in the winter of 2009. In the 2009 Finger Lakes Regional, Team 2791 took home the Rookie All-Star Award. This is a team of students who wish to learn more about science and technology than is offered in regular classes. The team strives for excellence in everything they do. Because of this, they also endeavor to spread the FIRST message to others. www.team2791.com

Team 3044: 0xBE4, Ballston Spa High School, Ballston Spa

Well BE4 kickoff, the BE4ce (B-Force) started spooling up for their second year in FIRST by working hard to share their excitement with the community. Several students have taken the initiative to explore new programming directions and share that knowledge with the rest of the team. With the support of their mentors, teachers and families, these students are giving each other their first lessons in engineering and business management; this force has direction! www.team3044.com

River Rats Fan Appreciation Weekend presented by Capitaland Motors GMC-Subaru is set for April 2-3, 2010 at the Times Union Center with face-off scheduled for 7:00pm on both nights. 2010 Calder Cup playoff packages are now on sale at the River Rats executive offices at the Times Union Center, by calling (518) 487-2244 or by logging onto www.albanyriverrats.com

• Discuss this story on the American Hockey League message board...

American Hockey League Stories from March 31, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Albany River Rats Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central