Mar 6

Mar 6 Sussex Scrimmage Summary

All photos submitted by Wade Gonzalez.

Sunday, February 22, marked Charger Robotics' 26th year of running the Sussex Scrimmage. A cornerstone of the FIRST community in Wisconsin, the Sussex Scrimmage is an unofficial “Week 0” event where local FRC teams come together to test their robots before the official competition season begins. This year, it welcomed 30 teams and around 1,200 of attendees for a full day of intense matches, community spirit, and hands-on STEM engagement.

About the Game: REBUILT™

This year's FIRST® Robotics Challenge is REBUILT™ presented by Haas, part of the archaeology-themed FIRST® AGE™ season. Each match runs 2 minutes and 30 seconds across three periods: a 20-second autonomous phase, a teleoperated phase where drivers score yellow foam "fuel" into the central Hub structure, and an endgame where robots race to climb the multi-rung Tower for bonus points. Charger Robotics built the full course using a combination of official Andymark field elements and custom wooden construction, as the layout changes every year.

More than Robots

When asked about the Sussex Scrimmage, Charger Robotics members love to say “Break it here, not at competition.” The scrimmage is a low-stakes environment where teams can push their robots to the limit, identify weaknesses, and refine their strategies before the official season begins. But the Scrimmage is about far more than robot performance.

Teams use the event to build community—snapping photos for social media, showcasing their robots, and learning from each other about prestigious awards like the Impact Award and the FIRST Leadership Award. It's a space where both veteran and rookie teams can grow together.

Beyond the FRC floor, the Scrimmage also serves as a free, accessible STEM event open to people of all ages. Attendees had the opportunity to watch demonstrations from FIRST® Tech Challenge (FTC) and FIRST® Lego League (FLL) teams, seeing robotics programs across multiple age groups in action. Visitors had the opportunity to try hands-on crafting and STEM activity booths, getting contact with engineering long before high school.

Looking Ahead: Competition Season

Last year, Charger Robotics Team 537 made history by winning the FIRST® Impact Award, earning a trip to the FIRST Championship in Houston. The Impact Award is the most prestigious honor in FIRST Robotics Competition. It recognizes teams that best embody FIRST's mission of “transforming culture to inspire greater respect for science and technology, and of encouraging today's youth to become tomorrow's STEM leaders.”

Now, Team 537 sets its sights on the 2026 season. This coming weekend, on Saturday and Sunday, the team will compete against 33 other teams from across Wisconsin at Lakeland University. They hope to have a strong performance—both on the field and off of it—with a well-built robot and a competitive Impact presentation. The goal is to advance to State, and ultimately, Worlds.

Please cheer on Charger Robotics Team 537 as they work to make this season one to remember!