What would you folks recommend for beginner set ups for rod and reel. I want to buy at least 4 or 5 so everyone in the family can fish. So if you could only take one combo:

Rod length?
Rod brand?
Reel size?
Reel brand?
Why?

Thanks in advance for the help. Not really sure on budget but I'm not looking for anything very high end until I see if the family is going to stick with it or if it will just be me that keeps going.

Are you fishing from the bank or a boat? Artificial lures or just live bait, or a combo? Ages of your family?

Here's my stab at the question without knowing these particulars:

6' Ugly Stik - almost unbreakable- and Zebco 33 classic reels - because they flat out work. Easy to cast, easy to reel, point and click. This rod/reel combo works fine from the bank or boat, for ages 7-8 on up. My kids are almost 5 and almost 7, and they have 5' rods that are more manageable for them right now. If you have younguns like mine, I'd go for a shorter rod to start out.

I would go with a 6-6.5' light action rod.
Decent medium size spinning reel, or maybe a simple spin cast on a couple for the kids.

If it's truly for "beginners", I wouldn't worry too much about the brand of either.
I think BPS is in the middle of a crappie sale, so you might be able to get a good deal on combos. Academy always has some that fall into that similar category. You should be able to get a combo for $20-40
Take a look at some of these:
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/zebco-cr...ildCatid=126254
http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mr-crapp...ildCatid=613508
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Crappie-Maxx-Spinning-Rod-and-Reel-Combo/product/170552/
http://www.basspro.com/Bass-Pro-Shops-Cr.../1308030621394/

Picked up the BPS crappie maxx 5'6 as linked above in UL. works great for me . Lewis makes a really nice Light rod that comes as a combo - at Olsons bait shop in Azle their $29.99

Start out economical till you find out if everyone is interested in fishing. Upgrade from there. Wal-Mart is probably the best place to start, or search on the internet. Spincast reels will be the easiest to start with.

What Gamblinman said.

I would definitely get two middle of the road rod/reel combos (for you and momma) or just you (with a backup) if she gives it up...otherwise, just get the inexpensive rod/reel combos for the others, that 33 classic will work fine.