The MPA will also discuss the future of gymnastics.

It might still be a challenge for teams to reach the Eastern A regional championship, but for fans, it could be a little easier to there next year.

One of the proposals to be put forth to the Maine Principal’s Association Thursday at its annual Spring Conference is to move the Eastern A title game to Portland, sharing a bill with the Western A finalists in a doubleheader at the Cumberland County Civic Center.

“The seating should not be a problem,” said Mike Haley, the assistant principal at Leavitt and chairman of the hockey committee. “That should eliminate a lot of the concern about not being able to get a seat, and we’d be able to sell tickets ahead of time which we haven’t done.”

Other proposals being offered Thursday morning at the Interscholastic Division’s Business Meeting include a vote on whether to allow cross country teams to participate in the New England Championships. Individual runners are currently approved to compete, but teams have not been approved. There will also be a discussion on the future of gymnastics. That sport has seen interest dwindle and could be eliminated from the MPA roster of sports. Various committees will also present reviews of their respective seasons and could offer additional proposals.

“Those are the major issues at this point,” said MPA Director Dick Durost. “These are the three things that have risen to the level of being considered significant enough changes.”

The Eastern A regional game has been held at Colby College in recent years. Last year, Edward Little and Lewiston faced off for the title. Because of the smaller venue, and the sizable following of the two rivals, many fans feared they might not get into the game and didn’t even try.

“If it’s going to be at Portland, I think that will be great because you want to be able to fit in as many people as you can in an event like that,” said Dan Deshaies, athletic director at EL.

Colby created a fine hockey environment, but the smaller arena might have kept people away.

“It’s going to be a lot nicer with that extra space,” said Deshaies. “I think it will make it more confortable and more fan friendly.

“I think a lot of people didn’t go because they didn’t want to be that crowded, especially some of the older generation. They didn’t want to try to fit in those closed confines.”

Having both games at the Cumberland County Civic Center would not only provide a large enough venue for a Class A event but also make for a great night of hockey.

“It would make for a pretty good two games,” said Haley, who is also the Western Maine Tournament Director and State Championship Director. “We probably couldn’t pack the place, but we’d have a pretty good crowd.”

Last year, the Western A and B games were held in Portland. The Eastern B game was held at Sukey Arena in Winslow. Now the B championships would be held in Lewiston. The state championship games would also be in Lewiston.

Also on the docket for Thursday’s meeting at the Samoset Resort in Rockport a vote on inclusion of cross country teams to the New England Championships. A proposal just two years ago to allow teams to participate was voted down.

Dan Hart, principal at Dirigo High School and a member of the cross country committee, says that interest remains strong in teams wanting to compete.

“A couple of the liaisons on the committee had asked if we could bring it up,” said Hart. “They had asked if it was something we could put forth again. We don’t mind going back again and asking (the membership).”

Having teams participate in New Englands might create an added financial burden. That has been the main concern about allowing teams to compete. There is also fear of establishing a precedent that would open the door for other teams, creating even more financial questions.

“There’s a feeling that it’s a big stretch financially for some of the smaller schools,” said Hart. “I think that’s probably the primary reason and secondly, they feel most of the runners go individually anyway.”

Whether the climate has changed in the two years since it was last voted down is hard to say, but the key issue may still be whether allowing teams to compete can be a fair situation for all parties.

“Is it equitable for all,” said Hart. “I tend to believe the larger schools that have the tradition and have the resources are able to go. And, it’s a question of are we going to set a precedent?”

The gymnastics issue arises out of the drop in numbers in the sport. Traditionally, when a sport has dropped below 10 teams, it has been eliminated.

“We’re presently down to six schools that are down to full teams,” said Durost. “Typically, when the numbers are that low, it’s time to review whether we should continue.”

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