Maine High School Indoor Track

It's Not New Englands Without ME!

ATHLETES, COACHES, AND PARENTS WALK A LAP OF SOLIDARITY TO PROTEST MPA PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE NEW ENGLAND COMPETITION

At meets across the State of Maine on January 17th, athletes, coaches, parents, grandparents, and officials walked a lap to protest a MPA proposal to eliminate New England competition. At the EMITL meet at the University of Maine, over 400 people walked a lap, held signs, and chanted. At a KVAC meet at Colby College athletes walked with a huge banner that said "Let Us Run!". At a SMAA girls meet at the Portland Expo, Scarborough, Cheverus, and Gorham walked a lap while the WCSH Channel 6 cameras rolled.

MORE PICTURES ON SUB 5 PICTURES ON SHUTTERFLY • VIDEO ON WCSH CHANNEL 6

Report From the MPA Ad Hoc Committee on Athletic Policy

This is the proposal that will be voted on by the MPA Interscholastic Management Committee on January 26th.

Action Plan for Athletes, Coaches, and Parents

1. Talk to your principal or athletic director. Explain to them why you think the proposal to withdraw from New England competition is a bad idea. If you have competed in New England competition, explain to them how important that experience was to you. Tell them that the cost to the school was minimal. Ask them to contact the MPA for you and speak out against the proposal.

2. Write a letter or send an e-mail to an administrator on the MPA Interscholastic Management Committee.

3. Organize and/or participate in a protest at a meet this weekend.

4. Spread the word. Get other people involved.

Write / Call / E-Mail Members of the MPA Interscholastic Management Committee - Updated 1/18

On January 26, 2009 the MPA Interscholastic Management Committee will vote on the recommendations of the ad hoc committee. This committee consists of principals, superintendents, and athletic directors. Their vote will be the final say in this matter. Don't wait. E-mail today!

Position Statement from the Leadership of the Maine Track and Cross Country Coaches Association

View From A College Coach - Posted 1/21

As a college coach, I think one thing that no one has considered is the ramifications this decision will have on college recruiting. With cross country runners, it's nearly impossible to recruit on time. Potential recruits always ask me, "How fast of a time are you looking for in cross country?" and my reply is always the same. I don't recruit on times - I just care how you do at the state meet. However, with small states like Maine, their performance at States doesn't really mean a whole lot to me as it's hard to put it in perspective. I always say, "How did you do at New Englands?"

Without a doubt this decision will make it harder for Maine athletes to get recruited. Instead of spending days trying to design some elaborate system to compare the Maine results to other states, I'll just recruit kids from bigger states.

Robert Johnson
Men's Middle Distance & Distance Coach
Cornell University

How Much Does New England Competition Cost Maine High Schools? Find Out Here In Our Survey! - Updated 1/18

Summary: The vast majority of schools only provide the $15 entry fee; some do not even provide that. A few schools do provide funds for transportation or coaching stipends, but that is a very small minority of schools. Unfortunately I had to do the work that the MPA Ad-Hoc Committee should have done to see if this proposal will actually save meaningful sums of money. It clearly will not.

What Are the Other New England States Proposing?

From Bill Savage of the New England Council: "To my knowledge Maine is the only state considering withdrawing from New England events."

Hosting New England Championship Events Is A Huge Boon For The Maine Economy • Video by Cameron Bonsey

Join the "Save New Englands!" Group on Facebook

The Press Room

MPA proposals prompt criticism - Maine Sunday Telegram - January 25

They're runners who are taking a stand - Press Herald - January 22

Legislators target MPA's proposals for cost cutting - Bangor Daily News - January 20

Bill would limit principals' authority over athletics - Waterville Morning Sentinel - January 20

More than 500 walk lap to protest MPA plan - Bangor Daily News - January 19

Funding feud: MPA's proposal to cut sports budget draws mixed reviews, protest - Lewiston Sun Journal - January 18

Teams Plan Protest - Waterville Morning Sentinel - January 17

Dropping New England events saves little - Ernie Clark Column in Bangor Daily News - January 16

Rand urges track community to oppose proposed MPA ban - Bangor Daily News - January 15

Schools won't find much savings, if any, in plan to cut sports contests - John Wolfgram op-ed in Portland Press Herald - January 15

Testimonials From Current and Former Maine High School Athletes

Letter from Fiona Hendry (Cheverus HS)

Letter from Matt Lane (Yarmouth HS/William and Mary)

Letter from Kate Bulteel (Orono HS)

Letter from Holli Kenison (Orono HS)

Letter from Kirby Davis (Falmouth HS/University of Maine)

Letter from Andy Fitch (Greely HS)

Letter from Brandon Bonsey (Falmouth HS/Georgetown University)

Letter From Ethan Shaw (Falmouth HS/Dartmouth College)

Melody Lam's (Mt. Blue High School) Blog

Letter from Alice Bennett (Falmouth HS)

Letter from Beth Rubinstein (Falmouth HS)

Letter from Kurt Prescott (Mt. Ararat HS/Dartmouth College)

Hi my name is Jamie Ruginski, I am currently a senior at Bonny Eagle High School. Last spring I got my first chance to participate at New Englands. Going into the day I was very excited to go up against such competitive athletes from all over New England. I never could have imagined all that talent in one place. I was scheduled to run the 300m Hurdles and being ranked 13th as a Junior I didn't think much of it but what a great experience it would be for me and get me ready for next year. Meeting all the athletes and participating at such a huge event was an amazing day. As race time came I don't think I had ever been more ready in my life. The gun fired and I ran my heart out that day finishing with a time of 38.98 beating my personal best by over a second. Realizing what an awesome time it was I jumped with joy. As the final heat went I watched patiently thinking I might have a chance at placing which blew my mind. Never did I think I could even place. After the race finished they revealed the results and out of some divine Miracle I had overcome all the other athletes and some how won the 300m Hurdles at New Englands. This was the most amazing day of my life and will never be forgotten as long as I live because no one can ever take that away from me.

Letters From Parents, Coaches, and Fans

Jeff Messer (Scarborough Town Council) - Posted January 18

Jody Jones (Parent) - Posted January 18

Lisa Fink and Kevin Cassidy (Parents) - Posted January 18

Bob Sheppard (Parent) - Posted January 18

Dave O'Brien (Parent) - Posted January 18