History

In 2001, Auburn University’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and College of Sciences and Mathematics jointly created a local BEST hub, Alabama BEST, as an effort to 'grow' future engineers, scientists, and technical professionals to meet the future needs of business and industry in the state.

Clearly the most innovative K-12 outreach program of the two colleges, Alabama BEST made a tremendous impact in its first year as a BEST competition site. Twenty-two high schools from around the state competed in “RAD to the Core,” the 2001 BEST game.

The 2002 competition was even more outstanding. Fifty-four teams from Alabama and Georgia competed in “Warp X Blast from the Past.” Of the fifty-four teams, over forty were middle schools, which greatly changed the dynamics of the program. The program even outgrew its home base and had to be moved to Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum, home of NCAA Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball. Approximately 1500 people were in attendance that fall to welcome the program to its new “digs.”

In 2003, the two colleges petitioned BEST Robotics to become its second regional championship, South’s BEST, which would serve hubs east of the Mississippi River. Thirty-six teams advanced from local competitions at six hubs in seven states and competed in South's BEST 2003.

Because of the massive amount of time and effort required to host South’s BEST, the two colleges approached Huntingdon College in Montgomery about taking on Alabama BEST. Thus, the 2004 and 2005 competitions were held there with 20 teams participating each year.

South's BEST 2004 featured 43 teams from eight hubs, including two new hubs: Azalea City BEST (Mobile, AL) and Philadelphia BEST (PA).

The 2005 South’s BEST brought even more change. Due to Hurricane Katrina, Azalea City BEST could not participate. A similar experience occurred with Florida BEST, based in Ft. Lauderdale. And due to scheduling constraints, Illinois BEST in Chicago, was not able to, either. However, we were excited to welcome to South’s BEST for the first time BEST’s newest hub, Bulldog BEST, sponsored by the Bagby College of Engineering at Mississippi State University in Starkville. Twenty-nine teams competed in the championship, November 4-5 in the Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum on the Auburn University campus.

Last year, Alabama BEST returned permanently to the Auburn campus and 17 teams from Central Alabama and the Birmingham area competed.

South’s BEST 2006 brought 46 teams from 10 hubs in nine states to campus. Two new hubs joining last year: Connecticut BEST (New Britain, CT) and Music City BEST (Nashville). As always, the competition was held in the Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. Attendance was well over 2200 people.

South’s BEST 2007 will bring 50 teams – around 2500 students, teachers, mentors, and supporters – to campus from 10 hubs in eight states. Teams from the newest hub in our region, Emerald Coast BEST (Pensacola, FL) will come to Auburn for the first time.

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