South’s BEST 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.

The 2002 competition was even more outstanding. Word of the competition spread throughout Alabama and even across state lines as more organizations and universities wanted to know how to start BEST competitions in their communities.

It became evident that BEST would expand not only across the South, but across the Eastern half of the U.S., as well. So 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.

In its first year, South’s BEST 2003 brought 36 teams from local competitions at six hubs in seven states to the Auburn campus.

As BEST grew across the region, so did South’s BEST. The 2004 championship 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.

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 featured 46 teams competing from 11 hubs in nine states. Teams from the newest hub in our region, Emerald Coast BEST (Pensacola, FL), came to Auburn for the first time.

South’s BEST 2008 brought 50 teams from 11 hubs in eight states, including the newest BEST hub, Blazer BEST, hosted by the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s School of Engineering.

In 2009, 55 teams will compete, including those from the newest hub in Alabama, North Alabama BEST, which is based at Wallace State Community College in Hanceville.