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Olive Branch robotics team invited to inaugural Governor’s Cup seeks city support
Summary
Coach Joe Ricker told the Olive Branch Board of Aldermen that the DeSoto TechNick robotics team won state titles and placed among the world’s top teams and has been invited to represent Mississippi at the inaugural Governor’s Cup in Washington, D.C.; the coach asked the board for display items and unspecified community support.
The DeSoto TechNick robotics team, a community-based group from Olive Branch, told the Board of Aldermen on Feb. 3 that it has been invited to represent Mississippi at the inaugural Governor’s Cup in Washington, D.C.
"We were 1 of 2 teams from Mississippi that made it to that championship," coach Joe Ricker said, summarizing the team’s recent successes including a state title and a top finish at last season’s world championship. He said the team has advanced in two qualifier tournaments this season and is scheduled to compete in the state championship in Oxford in early March.
Nathan, the team’s captain and design lead, described the current season’s challenge, "So this season is called decode, and the challenge this season is we had to take these 5 inch balls called artifacts." He explained the robot’s intake, turret-mounted shooter and parking mechanism that allow it to score and earn additional points.
Ricker asked the board for visible community support for the Washington trip—"If there's anything that our city wants to take, give us to take with us, a banner, a flag, or something we can put in our pit that says, hey, we're from Olive Branch,"—and left an informational packet detailing the team’s fundraising needs and sponsorship levels. He did not request a specific dollar amount from the city during the meeting.
Mayor Adams thanked the team and communications staff said the city would follow up; the board agreed to accept the packet for review.
The immediate next step is for staff to review the packet the team left with the clerk and report back to the board on any follow-up support the city may provide.
