Floyd's robotics club builds device to launch shirts at sporting events

The undefeated Floyd football team isn’t the only attraction on game days in Mastic Beach.

During each game, a T-shirt cannon built by the school’s robotics club takes center stage. The 3-foot bot is operated by remote control and rolls around on four wheels ready to fire white Floyd football T-shirts from its launcher into the home bleachers and awaiting fans.

To get the crowd’s attention, the operator sounds the cannon’s horns, which in turn signals the public address announcer to alert fans that the machine is ready to fire.

The robot built by senior Gerard Gawlowski Jr., junior Carmine Nacchio, and 12 other contributing members of the club, continues to gain popularity. In addition to football, it's used at home basketball games, peprallies, and cheerleading events.

“The crowd love