TOURNAMENT MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE VOTES 
TO CONTINUE DIVISION 1A HOCKEY TOURNAMENT

The Tournament Management Committee voted unanimously today to reverse a previous decision to end the Division 1A Hockey Tournament. The Division1A tournament will continue to be played beyond the 2006-2007 season.

After hearing a presentation from a sub-Committee of the Hockey Committee detailing results of a survey which overwhelmingly supported continuation of the 1A Tournament the TMC voted 10 to 0 to continue the tournament. The sub-Committee promised to report back to the TMC with a proposal to change the format of the Division1A tournament which had caused complaints that led to the vote last year to end the eight team tournament.

John Graceffa, Principal of Waltham H.S., Stephen Donovan, Principal of Acton-Boxborough Regional H.S., and Dan Shine, Athletic Director of Arlington Catholic, presented results of a survey and study done by the subcommittee showing strong support for the tournament. The survey included principals, athletic directors and coaches who had participated in either the 1A or Division I and II hockey tournaments since 1991 when the 1A tournament was started. 

About 80% of the respondents indicated the 1A tournament had met its goal of providing a more competitive/level playing field for hockey. Overall 64% of the respondents said the current Division 1A tournament should be retained.

Members of both committees agreed that while there was strong sentiment to continue the tournament there was also a need to make changes to the format which in recent years had come under criticism. Mr. Graceffa indicated survey respondents raised numerous issues with the format that the sub-Committee would need to consider and develop in order to bring specific format recommendations to the TMC.

They were asked to provide a summary of those issues to the TMC at its October meeting and to prepare a proposal for specific format changes for the January, 2007 meeting.

posted 6/2/06