LEWISTON – School wasn’t a lot of fun for Maineiacs players last season.

Class was usually a boring correspondence course. Grades and new courses took weeks to arrive. The team’s main classroom was an isolated, windowless room on the first floor of the Lewiston Multi-Purpose Center.

This season, all that will change.

From special courses at Central Maine Community College in Auburn to classes with the Maineiacs Academy, players will go to school.

“This is a major step,” said Roger Lachapelle, the team’s education adviser.

Options

Established a year ago, the Maineiacs is the only Quebec Major Junior Hockey League franchise in America. When the final team is selected later this month, the Maineiacs will have about two dozen players between 16 and 20 years old. Although most prospective players are Canadian, some come from America and Slovakia.

High school-age players are required to attend school. Older players are encouraged to take college classes.

But last winter, team officials had problems getting an education program to fit everybody.

“There are just so many different scenarios with these kids,” Lachapelle said.

The team had hoped to put players in local schools, but tight Quebec education laws, long daily practices and weekly road trips interfered with traditional schooling. Nearly all of the players had to take correspondence courses instead.

This spring, when officials asked area colleges for help, Central Maine Community College opened its doors.

“The Maineiacs are important to the community,” said college President Scott Knapp. “We want to do what we can to make sure they’re successful.”

The college agreed to hold a special introductory class each semester just for college-age players and teenagers who need classes for Cgep, a Quebec program between high school and college.

Because the team spends half the week on the road, the class schedule will be tailored to the team’s home schedule. Courses will range from psychology to economics, depending on what players want and need for their degree.

Older players may also take classes at Bates and Lewiston-Auburn colleges.

Younger players who still need a high school diploma will have other options.

Maineiacs Academy

The team is being certified as a limited, nontraditional school by the Maine Department of Education. The Maineiacs Academy won’t be able to grant diplomas, but players will have certified teachers.

Students will also be able to take courses through the University of Miami Online High School, a full-service virtual school that caters to athletes.

Lachapelle is also looking at partnering with an area high school. Maineiacs’ teachers would teach the high school’s curriculum and the school would grant the credit.

But whether they are studying online or working with a teacher, all players will be able to say goodbye to the isolated room they used at the Multi-Purpose Center last year.

The community college will provide classroom space for the entire team. Players will get access to the entire campus, including the library, cafeteria and computers.

“There’s a lot to be said for a college environment,” said Knapp.

Players will also get another perk: other students.

“Part of going to school is socializing with other people,” Lachapelle said.

The Maineiacs will pay for students’ schooling, including the class and space at the community college.

But regardless of the money, Knapp is happy to have them.

Joked Knapp, “The nifty thing is we’re going to be the only community college in Maine to have its own hockey team.”