vikings of Wilton, ME What is truly ironic about the protests of the MPA proposals is that those howling the loudest had the opportunity to prevent this whole situation and chose not to. Athletic directors such as Mr. Tardy's brother have been in control of setting up the schedules of athletic events and organizing the conferences across the state. For several years there have been voices calling for reigning in the excessive travel costs from interscholastic sports. While some AD's and principals attempted to stop pushing taxpayer dollars out tailpipes of buses without need they met resistance from some of the same AD's and coaches who now oppose the MPA proposals.
The other fact that is often overlooked is that all of the policies of the MPA are voluntary for schools. Any school can schedule as many games and events it wants for any sport it wants it just means that they choose not to participate in MPA invitational tournaments or be included in the MPA standings.report abuse

Hermann Munster of AmishLand, PA Maine is broke? Then yer not working hard enough, taxpayer.

Were it not for high school sports, Joan Benoit would never have won the first women's Olympic marathon.

Further, you also write: ""

As someone who knows Harvard's admissions standards a bit better than you, allow me to educate you. The lack of participation in high school sports is one of the top reasons a prospective student does not get into Harvard. Or Dartmouth. Or any number of the other Ivy League schools. Or Duke. Or Stanford. Or any of the military academies.

How do you think Brian Pettingil or Louie from Elsworth got into Stanford? That's right... they were top-notch high school athletes from Maine. Same with Colin Peddie and UVA.

It's a fact: top Maine high school athletes do get into the best American universities.report abuse

tax payer77 of kingfield, ME James,

Get a grip or change your meds.

Maine is broke and the taxpayer cannot and will not support local HS sport programs that are not essential.

Gym is the academic requirement for graduation. Happiness and self satisfaction asside from being abstract concepts, are a function of the parent (if there is one) not the taxpayer. The other programs you mentioned may actually prepare some, but not all, of your youth for jobs after they graduate.

Expensive sports programs are nice but not essential and they should be cut. as required to save money. Given the circumstances I would say that you should consider a pay as you go sport program, (pay to play). This would give you (the parent) an equity stake in your own childs success and relieve (us) the taxpayer of the responsibility.

James, seriously, not having a fully funded high school sport program will not likely be the cause of your kids not from getting accepted into Harvard.report abuse

james of canaan, ME taxpayer once again you are the lone idiot of the conversation, why dont we cut out everything like the computer program or how about the high school training for electritions,building, vehicle repair, computer tech, or the welding classes we all know there not doing anything for our kids right taxpayer just a waste of the few dollars you pay for taxes. now i while tell you just like sporting events they all bring in some kind of income to the schools and prepare our kids for a future. Did you know that 2 kids from maine were picked and played in the high school allstar game. this provided them the chance to show how well maine kids are trained and also showed how well are kids are taught to respect what they do and what they get. Did you know most of the kids who play sports turn back to some sort of teaching position or health profession and return back to the schools and assist the kids for free. i agree the mpa has gone too far i do believe we need to look at the schools and the trips as some games are just too far away when there are closer schools to play that would bring more revenue because of hjigher attendance. Right now to be honest more ppl will attend local games then travel because of the cost so why not give the ppl of maione something to cheer about and for a couple hours a day or week a chance to smile and forget about our economy and despair of our country by being about to sit and watch those they love and care about provide entertainment for all of us to enjoyreport abuse