Agenda

Tentative Agenda — Virginia Tech CRO Down (VRC: Push Back)

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2026
Location: Goodwin Hall, Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA)
Event Partner: Ty Van Buskirk

8:00 – 8:45 AM — Team Check-In & Pit Setup
8:00 – 9:30 AM — Robot Inspection (rolling; get in early)
8:30 AM – 2:30 PM — Skills Field Open (as schedule allows)
9:45 – 10:00 AM — Driver/Coach Meeting (field area)
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM — Qualification Matches (Set 1)
10:30 AM – 2:30 PM — In-Pit/Panel Judging Windows
12:00 – 12:45 PM — Lunch
12:45 – 2:45 PM — Qualification Matches (Set 2)
2:30 PM — Skills Closed / Last Call
3:00 – 3:20 PM — Alliance Selection
3:30 – 5:00 PM — Elimination Bracket
5:10 – 5:30 PM — Awards & Closing
5:30 – 7:30 PM — Pack-down / Venue Clear

Notes (read these, no excuses):

• Teams must be checked in by 8:45 AM or risk being left off the match schedule.

• Engineering Notebooks due by 9:30 AM at the Pit Admin/Judging table.

• Concessions available on site; bring power strips and safety glasses.

• Schedule may flex a bit based on team count and field throughput.

Questions: [email protected]. See you in Goodwin.

Volunteer

We can't run the Virginia Tech CRO Down without a strong volunteer crew. No experience? No problem - most roles get quick training day-of. Grab a shift, meet awesome teams, and keep the event humming.

Roles we're filling

• Field Reset / Queuing - keep matches flowing, reset game elements

• Scorekeeper / Timekeeper - run the field tablet + match clock

• Pit Admin / Check-In - team help desk, announcements, paperwork

• Inspection Assistants - help inspectors measure/verify robots

• Referees (experienced preferred) - enforce rules on the field

• Judges (STEM/industry/edu preferred) - interview teams & review notebooks

• Emcee / AV / Media - hype matches, handle displays, capture photos

Shifts

• Morning: 7:15 AM - 12:30 PM

• Afternoon: 12:15 PM - 5:45 PM

• All-Day: 7:15 AM - 5:45 PM

Perks

• Event T-shirt, lunch & snacks

• Community service hours / volunteer certificate

• Parking info provided in the volunteer email

What to bring

• Closed-toe shoes, bottled water, portable charger

• Friendly vibes and a readiness to move - fields don't reset themselves

Emergency/Bad Weather Policy

The safety of all participants, volunteers, and guests is our top priority. In the event of inclement weather or other emergencies, the Virginia Tech CRO Down will follow official guidance from Virginia Tech Emergency Management and Blacksburg local authorities.

• Weather-Related Delays or Cancellations:
  If severe weather (snow, ice, or other hazardous conditions) affects travel or campus operations, updates will be communicated via email to all registered teams and posted on the RobotEvents event page.
  We will make every effort to delay or reschedule the event rather than cancel it outright.
  Refunds will be handled on a case-by-case basis if the event must be canceled due to weather or emergency closures.

• Venue Safety:
  In the event of a campus emergency or severe weather alert during the competition, teams should follow all instructions from event staff and Virginia Tech personnel. Designated shelter areas within Goodwin Hall will be communicated during the driver’s meeting.

• Travel Advisory:
  Teams traveling long distances are encouraged to monitor weather conditions and prioritize safety. If conditions prevent your team from attending, please notify the Event Partner as soon as possible.

Contacts for Emergencies or Event Updates:

• Event Partner: Ty Van Buskirk — [email protected]

• Volunteer Coordinator: Ayra Nirar — [email protected]

Refund and Payment Policies

If the Event Partner cancels the event:
Full refunds will be issued to all registered and paid teams. Refunds will be processed within two weeks of the cancellation notice.

If a Coach/Mentor completes registration for the event then chooses to withdraw or not attend:
Refunds will only be issued if notification is received at least one week prior to the event date (by February 14, 2026).
After that date, no refunds will be provided unless the team’s withdrawal is due to verified weather or emergency-related travel restrictions.

Please contact Ty Van Buskirk (Event Partner) at [email protected] for refund or withdrawal requests.

Judging Format

• All In-Person Judging - The Team Interviews and Engineering Notebooks will be judged in-person the day of the event. Teams should bring a physical copy of their notebook to submit to the judges.