History of the Gearheads
The Gearheads began humbly as The Breaking Pointe, with Ken Ginger, Tim Dodson, Delf Dodge, Amanda Pata, and Steve Booher as team mentors. In our first year, 2002-2003, we had around ten students as team members, and they met in the Industrial Arts building at Grosse Pointe South High School. Delf Dodge, an employee of General Motors, secured funding for the team from GM. In those days, the team’s logo was not the famed “Gearheads Crossing” we’re known for today. In the beginning, just about every decision was determined by the students. Therefore, it should be no surprise that the first mascot was quite strange: a rabid squirrel.
In the team’s first season, we produced a very small bot with many problems, such as the motors burning out. Due to the hard work of Mr. Ginger, and a handful of students, the bot was fabricated and participated in the competition that year. The first year was primarily spent figuring out what FIRST was about.
Soon afterward, with a bit of ingenuity and the magic of Photoshop, Mr. Dodson’s son created the now iconic “Gearheads Crossing” logo. In the 2004-2005 season, the team officially became known as the Gearheads, and a team motto was decided- “we’re all Gearheads!” This decision was made to communicate that everybody in FIRST Robotics is a Gearhead in some respect or another. Not only that, but no matter who you are, you are welcome onto the team. As Mr. Dodson said, “it’s not about us beating you. It’s about unity.” This attitude eventually won the team multiple awards from FIRST, with the first award being won at the University of Waterloo competition in 2006 (Imagery and Sportsmanship).
Our shop was eventually relocated to the basement during South's renovation - right under a men’s washroom. In dire need of more space and a better atmosphere, the team moved to our current location, the old Auto Shop at Grosse Pointe North High School.
By the time 2010 rolled around, Mr. Ginger had moved on, and Mr. Dodson and Mrs. Dodge were on their way out of the Gearheads organization. (Though, at heart, they will always be a part of the Gearheads family.) That was the year when Don Pata became a mentor for the Gearheads. The following year, he became the head mentor, and from that day forth, the Gearheads were never the same. Don Pata served as the Faculty Mentor of the team until the close of the 2015 season when Mr. Sean McCarroll came in to lead the Gearheads for one season. After his departure in 2017, Mr. Jason Wolfsen, stepped up as a head mentor and stayed with the team until 2022. For the 2022-2023 season, Erin Tabor, guided the team as Faculty Advisor. Beginning with the 2024 season, we are pleased to have Grosse Pointe North, Alum, Jack Pierick serve as Faculty Advisor.
In the team’s first season, we produced a very small bot with many problems, such as the motors burning out. Due to the hard work of Mr. Ginger, and a handful of students, the bot was fabricated and participated in the competition that year. The first year was primarily spent figuring out what FIRST was about.
Soon afterward, with a bit of ingenuity and the magic of Photoshop, Mr. Dodson’s son created the now iconic “Gearheads Crossing” logo. In the 2004-2005 season, the team officially became known as the Gearheads, and a team motto was decided- “we’re all Gearheads!” This decision was made to communicate that everybody in FIRST Robotics is a Gearhead in some respect or another. Not only that, but no matter who you are, you are welcome onto the team. As Mr. Dodson said, “it’s not about us beating you. It’s about unity.” This attitude eventually won the team multiple awards from FIRST, with the first award being won at the University of Waterloo competition in 2006 (Imagery and Sportsmanship).
Our shop was eventually relocated to the basement during South's renovation - right under a men’s washroom. In dire need of more space and a better atmosphere, the team moved to our current location, the old Auto Shop at Grosse Pointe North High School.
By the time 2010 rolled around, Mr. Ginger had moved on, and Mr. Dodson and Mrs. Dodge were on their way out of the Gearheads organization. (Though, at heart, they will always be a part of the Gearheads family.) That was the year when Don Pata became a mentor for the Gearheads. The following year, he became the head mentor, and from that day forth, the Gearheads were never the same. Don Pata served as the Faculty Mentor of the team until the close of the 2015 season when Mr. Sean McCarroll came in to lead the Gearheads for one season. After his departure in 2017, Mr. Jason Wolfsen, stepped up as a head mentor and stayed with the team until 2022. For the 2022-2023 season, Erin Tabor, guided the team as Faculty Advisor. Beginning with the 2024 season, we are pleased to have Grosse Pointe North, Alum, Jack Pierick serve as Faculty Advisor.