Ohio
FIRST Robotics Competition
Buckeye Regional
March 29, 2023 - April 1, 2023
Wolstein Center
2000 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
2023 Buckeye Regional Results
(Coming Soon)
Game and Season Information
Supplemental Funding Opportunity
NASA Glenn Research Center invites registered FIRST Robotics Teams from Ohio to apply for supplemental funding to support their participation in the Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics Competition.
Ohio FIRST Robotics Teams may apply to receive up to $3,000.00 to support travel costs to participate in the Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. Funds may also be used to purchase materials and/or equipment needed to build their Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics Competition robot. Funding will be competitively awarded based on financial need. Preference will be given to rookie teams and new veteran teams (i.e., Teams whose rookie season was in 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022).
Eligibility
Team must be located in Ohio and registered to participate in the FIRST Buckeye Regional Competition.
Team must not have received other funding from NASA to support participation in the 2023 FIRST Robotics Competition.
Teams must demonstrate a financial need.
Preference will be given to rookie teams and new veterans (i.e., Teams whose rookie season was in 2019, 2020, 2021, or 2022).
Key Dates
Application Opens: October 20, 2022
Application Closes: November 16, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
Supplemental Funding Application
Click here to access the Ohio FIRST Robotics Teams Supplemental Funding application
Transportation
Load-In
Please remember your Gracious Professionalism and be courteous to others who are trying to load-in or out. We will be using the same load in procedure as in 2022, down the loading ramp.
Teams are encouraged to use the Wednesday Evening load-in times, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We ARE allowing Wednesday evening setup, but the pits will close promptly at 8:00 pm Wed. If you cannot make this time you may load in and set up (with only 5 people, one of these must be an adult) on Thursday morning 7:45 - 8:30 am.
Teams enter down a ramp (East 19th Place) off Carnegie Avenue on the west end of the Wolstein Arena. This ramp will take you down to the loading area on the west end of the pit area at floor level. (see map below) This is Gate C.
The load-in area both outside and inside the building will be crowded at times so please be careful and courteous. It is critical that you consolidate your materials and pack your vehicle so unloading can be done quickly and safely. This will help reduce wait time for the other teams waiting in the queue to unload.
Each team will be assigned a holding location on the loading dock where the team will unload its vehicle contents. When the team vehicle is unloaded, the vehicle will need to leave the dock area. If the team is using the event/ODOT lot for their trailer, the team needs to pick up a parking permit from the load-in administration and attach/tape it to the outside of their trailer.
When the team vehicle leaves the dock area the team will be given a pit setup permit and the 5-person pit setup crew (including at least one adult) can take their pit contents into the pit area and work on pit setup. For safety purposes, robots may be stored in a robot holding area in the dock area so that they are not in the pits during pit setup.
REMEMBER ALL Team members entering the facility are required to wear safety glasses and masks.
When you complete pit setup you can move your robot back into your pit, turn in the work permit to pit administration.
The pit setup crew will be required to leave the venue through the main concourse of the Wolstein Center on the Carnegie Ave exit (Gate A).
Teams loading-in on Thursday morning will follow the same procedure beginning at 7:45 am. Teams that finish pit setup on Wednesday will not be allowed back in the pits until 8:30 am.
A driver must stay with the vehicle at all times while it is in the loading lane and area. The driver can take the trailer to ODOT lot. The vehicle can remain in ODOT lot as well until pit set up is over (after load in, only trailers are allowed in this lot).Remember to pickup and attach the parking permit to your trailer.
Teams arriving late on Wednesday and unable to complete their pit setup by 8:00 pm will be given the opportunity to finish on Thursday morning between 7:45 and 8:30 am. Teams in this situation should keep their pit work permit and use this to allow 5 team members to walk down the ramp to the loading dock to enter (They will NOT drive down the ramp!). The rest of the team can enter via the concourse at 8:30 am. No work will be allowed on the robot during these load-in periods.
Don’t forget your safety glasses and masks! We have a very, very limited number this season so if you want friends and parents to attend the event, please bring your own personal glasses and masks so those we do have can be provided to guests.
Team Trailer/Truck parking this year. Trailer parking will be located in the ODOT lot.
Load-Out
There will be 6 waiting stalls designated in the dock area.
When a team is completely ready to load out i.e. all materials packed and consolidated, 1 person will come to the loading dock to get their load out order and permit. They should not bring their pit with them.
If there is space, they will be given an open stall to move their pit into.
When they are assigned a stall, the driver may go get the trailer
To avoid congestion, the driver should not enter the ramp/dock area until the team is on the dock ready to go. The driver should remain in ODOT lot until the team is ready to load.
Once the team’s vehicle arrives on the dock, the team needs to promptly load their vehicle and the vehicle must depart promptly.
The driver must stay with the vehicle at all times.
NOTE: Critical to the process are consolidated packing of pit materials, prompt unloading and loading, abiding by the process, and being graciously professional to fellow teams.
Parking for all other vehicles
Parking around the Wolstein center is always difficult. Please carpool when possible. There are a number of parking garages surrounding the venue - but they often are full by Saturday afternoon.
Team Meals
While there are several restaurants within walking distance of the Wolstein Center, it is important to note that NO outside food or drink is allowed in the venue. Drinks are available at the concession stand and water fountains are available by the bathrooms for refilling water bottles.
For your convenience, Box Lunches are available through the venue's on-site caterer. To order meals for a team, download and complete the order form below. Then, email the completed form to to Salerno-McKynzie@aramark.com. Teams who have ordered box lunches through the on-site caterer may pick them up at the Backstage Café area on the Concourse at 11:00am on Thursday and at Noon on Friday and Saturday.
(Please note: A separate order form must be completed for each day. Also, all orders must be completed and received by our on-site caterer by 5:00PM on Friday, March 24 , 2023).

Schedule
The 20th annual FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Robotics Competition Buckeye Regional will be held March 29 - April 1 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center located at 2000 Prospect Ave.
Practice matches will be held on Thursday, March 30 from noon to 6:30 p.m. Competition days are Friday, March 31 from 9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. and Saturday, April 1 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission is free and open to the public.
Competition Schedule

Volunteers Needed
Every year, the Buckeye Regional requires more than 200 volunteers to make the competition run smoothly. We greatly appreciate the time and commitment of all of our dedicated volunteers to support the young people aspiring to become future innovators. Consider becoming a volunteer for the Buckeye Regional FIRST Robotics Competition. Read the Volunteer overview (pdf) to learn more about volunteering and read the VolunteerTask Descriptions to learn about the many types of fun jobs we have available.
When ready to sign up …
Create or edit your volunteer registration, by going to the FIRST’s Volunteer Information & Matching System
For questions, please contact our Volunteer Coordinator (Email), Jon Potter.
Team Information
COVID-19 Health and Safety Policy
subject to change
Updated 1-20-23
FIRST is closely monitoring news and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Health Organization, local health agencies, as well as state and federal laws and regulations. The following precautionary measures are currently in place for the event based on these and Cleveland State University protocols. These measures may be updated as new information becomes available.
Attendees refers to all team participants, volunteers, public, and staff.
Face coverings: Face coverings are recommended, but not required, for all attendees in all indoor event areas. Unvaccinated individuals are encouraged to continue wearing masks when they cannot practice physical distancing. Attendees may choose to wear a mask at any time. If you are immuno-compromised, face coverings are highly recommended. Learn more here (from CDC) about how to protect yourself.
Code of Conduct: All attendees are expected to follow the FIRST Code of Conduct, including demonstrating Gracious Professionalism at all times. All attendees are expected to comply with all COVID-19 health and safety signs that are displayed in waiting areas, near restrooms, in seating areas, and used to control traffic patterns and entrance and exit points and to follow event staff instructions related to COVID-19 safety.
Event registration: All team participants, volunteers and staff are required to register to attend the event either through volunteer registration, VIP invitation, or through inclusion on the team’s roster that indicates a signed Consent and Release agreement for each attendee.
Self-Evaluation: All attendees are encouraged to perform a brief daily health self-evaluation to check for common symptoms of illness before entering the event. Attendees should not attend the event if they have symptoms of illness or have recently been in close contact with someone with symptoms of illness.
Vaccination: Vaccination greatly reduces the risks associated with COVID-19. FIRST strongly recommends everyone who is eligible and has access to a vaccine consult with their physician and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with booster shots if applicable, prior to attending the event.
Social Distancing: When possible, attendees are encouraged to practice social distancing and to remain in cohorts to limit interactions with those outside of their group.
Attendees are expected to practice good hand hygiene. Please be mindful of high traffic areas such as the concession stands, seating areas, and the pit area.
Be mindful to limit the number of attendees in the pit area to pit volunteers, those who are directly related to working on the robot, and their mentors. All other attendees are invited to enter the pits in short visits.
Safety Glasses: FIRST volunteers will not distribute safety glasses to teams this year. Please bring an adequate supply of safety glasses for your team and attendees on your roster. Those without safety glasses are asked to enjoy the event in any areas where safety glasses are not required.
Any person entering this event is required to abide by this COVID-19 health and safety policy and the FIRST Code of Conduct. Non-compliance may result in removal from this event and being barred from future participation in FIRST activities.
Emergency Instructions
In the case of an emergency, please exit calmly using the following evacuation plan: Evacuation Plan_Wolstein Center. Do not use elevators in case of fire or other electrical emergencies. Use marked exits.
Pit Map
Places of Interest in Cleveland
Team Extra Activities
There are a variety of attractions and activities in Cleveland. Below are a few options that are available; information is subject to change. Please check with the attraction for COVID protocol. We hope that your visit to Cleveland is enjoyable both on and off the robot field.
1. Great Lakes Science Center
Address: 601 Erieside Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: 216-694-2000 or 216-696-4941
Hours Open: Wednesday - Saturday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sunday 12 noon – 5:00 pm
Group Discounts at http://www.greatscience.com/groups/group-rates.aspx
Food: Available
2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: (Located on Lakeside)
Address: 1110 E.9th Street, Cleveland, Ohio 44114
Phone: 216-781-7625 or 888-764-7625
Hours Open: Open every day 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Extended hours Thursday: 10:00 am - 9:00 pm
3. Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Located in University Circle)
Address: 1 Wade Oval Dr., Cleveland, Ohio
Phone: 216-231-4600
Hours Open: Tuesday - Sunday: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Advance ticket purchase required
4. Cleveland Museum of Art: FREE (Located in University Circle, near CASE, Cleveland Institute of ART, Cleveland Institute of Music, Severance Hall)
Address:11150 East Blvd., Cleveland, Ohio 44106
Phone: 216-421-7350
Hours Open: Tuesday – Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm, Friday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
FREE, No Entrance Fee
Food: Available, CAFÉ
5. Movies & Theater
a. Tower City Cinemas (Located Downtown, Tower City, on the Square).
For more information and show times go to: www.clevelandcinemas.com.
b. Playhouse Square: there are theater performances, 1501 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115, call 216-771-4444
For more information go to: https://www.playhousesquare.org/
c. Cinematheque: Peter B. Lewis Theater at the Cleveland Institute of Art, 11610 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, Ohio
Phone: 216-421-7450
General Admission: $10 - $13 to each film, Age 25 & under: $7-$10
For more information go to: www.cia.edu/Cinematheque.
6. Places to eat: http://www.cityvisitor.com/cleveland
a. University Circle: http://www.universitycircle.org
b. Euclid Corridor & Cleveland State Area: Google “Cleveland State Restaurants"
c. Downtown Cleveland: Google “Downtown Cleveland Restaurants"
d. Flats on the River (West & East Banks): Google “Cleveland Flats Restaurants”
e. At all museums
Sponsors
The Buckeye Regional Planning Committee would like extend our sincerest gratitude to our partners and sponsors. Without their generous contributions, the competition would not be possible.
NASA
FirstFuelCells.com
RoboCages
Parker Hannifin
United States Air Force
Rockwell Automation
Information for potential sponsors, or contact the Buckeye Regional funding team if you want to be a sponsor.
Media Information
Buckeye Regional Webcast
The Buckeye Regional webcast enables anyone around the world with a computer and internet connection to watch our regional competition. The webcast is also a great way for parents of participating students to follow their son or daughter’s robotics team throughout the competition.
The Buckeye Regional Webcast will be live streamed on Twitch TV (Link Coming Soon).
Media Advisory
Coming soon
Build Season - Helpful Resources
CHARGED UP Competition Manual (Coming Soon)
CHARGED UP Team Updates (Coming Soon)
CHARGED UP Q&A (Coming Soon)
Kickoff
Kickoff - January 7, 2023
The FIRST® Robotics Competition (FRC) Kickoff is the official start of the FRC season and where the 2023 “Game” scenario is revealed to the public during a “live stream” webcast. The 2023 Buckeye Regional Kickoff Watch Party will take place on January 7th, 2023 at the Great Lakes Science Center in downtown Cleveland, Ohio. Our local watch party features light refreshments, exciting guest speakers, FIRST® Trivia, prizes, and more! The highlight of the event is the live stream webcast from FIRST® Headquarters in New Hampshire! Following the webcast, participating teams can pick up their “Kit of Parts,” which will be used to build their competition robot.
For questions, special accommodations, or more information about the Buckeye Regional kickoff watch party, please contact the Kickoff Coordinator, JonDarr Bradshaw, Community Engagement Coordinator at the Great Lakes Science Center.
Kickoff Parking Guidance
For FRC Teams attending the Buckeye Regional Kickoff Watch Party, on-site covered parking is available for cars and vans via our attached parking structure. Parking Validation will be provided for FRC attendees. There is also a $2.00 discount on general admission for all FRC Team members who wish to stay after the webcast to tour the Great Lakes Science Center.
Attendees traveling by car or van will be able to enter the building from the lower level of the parking structure onto the science center’s Promenade near the entrance to the auditorium.
Busses can off-load passengers at the main entrance, then park in the designated “Bus Lane” on Erieside Avenue (the Bus Lane begins behind the Science Center and extends along the curb behind the nearby football stadium. Great Lakes Science Center staff and volunteers will be on hand at the main entrance to direct attendees to the auditorium and to provide your bus driver with a map and a “Parking Pass” sign that must be placed in the bus window when parking in the designated Bus Lane.
Teams picking up Kits of Parts should come prepared with a hand truck to transport the heavy kits to their vehicles.
2023 Kickoff Event Schedule
Coming Soon
Kickoff - Helpful Resources
Display or Print a List of teams attending the 2023 Kickoff in Cleveland (pdf) (Coming Soon).
2023 Kickoff Broadcast (Video) - Replay will be available after January 7, 2023.
Select a Year below to view a photo gallery.
Contact Us
If you would like to contact us, ask a question, leave feedback or offer suggestions for improvement or new things you'd like to see, please email us at FRCBuckeyeCoordinator@gmail.com.
Diane Sadowski and Pete Buca, Buckeye Regional Chairs
Nancy Richards, FIRST Regional Director, Ohio
JonDarr Bradshaw, Buckeye Regional Kickoff Coordinator, Media Announcer
FRCBuckeyeCoordinator@gmail.com
Jon Potter, Buckeye Regional Volunteer Coordinator
Catherine Graves, Ph.D. and Jeresha Nixon, NASA Glenn Research Center, Ohio NASA Glenn Grants
, Buckeye Regional Website Development
Andrew Yantes, FIRST Senior Mentor, Ohio
Please Note: No outside food or drink is allowed in the venue. Drinks are available at the concession stand. Water fountains are available by the bathrooms for refilling water bottles.
Teams may pre-order lunch via the Boxed Lunch Order Form (Link Coming Soon, download to fill out). Orders must be submitted no later than (Date Coming Soon).
Buckeye Regional Teams
Team 48 - Team E.L.I.T.E. from Warren, Ohio, USA
Team 120 - Red Dragons from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 291 - CIA: Creativity In Action from Erie, Pennsylvania, USA
Team 379 - RoboCats from Girard, Ohio, USA
Team 451 - The Cat Attack from Maumee, Ohio, USA
Team 695 - Bison Robotics from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 1126 - SPARX from Webster, New York, USA
Team 1308 - Saint Ignatius Robotics from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 1405 - Finney Falcons from Penfield, New York, USA
Team 1507 - Warlocks from Lockport, New York, USA
Team 1551 - The Grapes of Wrath from Naples, New York, USA
Team 2010 - The Lightning Bots from Warren, Ohio, USA
Team 2095 - Direct Current from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA
Team 2172 - Steel Unit-E from Lakewood, Ohio, USA
Team 2228 - CougarTech from Honeoye Falls, New York, USA
Team 2234 - Alternating Current from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, USA
Team 2252 - The Mavericks from Milan, Ohio, USA
Team 2399 - The Fighting Unicorns from Shaker Heights, Ohio, USA
Team 2603 - The Steel Stingers from Medina, Ohio, USA
Team 2632 - SteeleBots from Amherst, Ohio, USA
Team 2783 - Engineers of Tomorrow from Crestwood, Kentucky, USA
Team 3173 - IgKnighters from Rochester, New York, USA
Team 3201 - Ross Rambotics from Hamilton, Ohio, USA
Team 3324 - The Metrobots from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Team 3777 - Bean City Bots from Lima, Ohio, USA
Team 3814 - PiBotics from Erlanger, Kentucky, USA
Team 4028 - The Beak Squad from Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Team 4121 - Viking Robotics from North Canton, Ohio, USA
Team 4145 - WorBots from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Team 4269 - CardinalBots from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Team 4601 - Circuit Birds from Canfield, Ohio, USA
Team 4611 - OZone Robotics from Delaware, Ohio, USA
Team 5413 - Stellar Robotics from North Fairfield, Ohio, USA
Team 5667 - The Digital Eagles from New Albany, Ohio, USA
Team 5740 - Trojanators from Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, USA
Team 5847 - Ironclad from Bradley, Illinois, USA
Team 6181 - Cryptic Cyborgs from Archbold, Ohio, USA
Team 6421 - WarriorBots from Muskego, Wisconsin, USA
Team 6916 - Iron Thunder from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Team 6964 - BearBots from Columbus, Ohio, USA
Team 7460 - Avi and Friends from Sylvania, Ohio, USA
Team 7885 - Spinning Dragons from Elyria, Ohio, USA
Team 8037 - VW Cougar Robotics from Van Wert, Ohio, USA
Team 8096 - Cache Money from Chicago, Illinois, USA
Team 8140 - RoboManiacs from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 8145 - Tech Warriors from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 8222 - The Argonauts from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 8243 - AstroCircuits from Cleveland, Ohio, USA
Team 8713 - Nordonia Knights from Maccedonia, Ohio, USA
Team 8718 - Tigerbotics from Warren, Ohio, USA
Team 9075 - Lunar Robotics from Wapakoneta, Ohio, USA
Team 9194 - KSS Robotics from Kent, Ohio, USA