MAINEiacs Tap Kaplan University as Official Education Provider

Published on October 7, 2010 under Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Lewiston MAINEiacs News Release


Lewiston, ME (QMJHL) - The Lewiston MAINEiacs are pleased to announce that Kaplan University has been named the team's official education provider. Beginning with the 2010-2011 season, the two parties will work together to ensure that the team's players receive the best possible education as they work on and off the ice to represent their team and community.

"The education of our players is one of the pillars of our program," says Bill Schurman, governor of the MAINEiacs. "We're mandating that every player must enroll in an education program and ensuring they choose the best path to enhance that education. This collaboration with Kaplan University allows our players the opportunity to enroll in the courses that fit their needs, both through classroom and online education.

"Our faculty and staff are committed to helping each player succeed in the classroom and develop his own talents," says Matthew Cote, executive director of Kaplan University's Lewiston campus. "We look forward to being the official educator of the team."

Because the MAINEiacs players range in age from 16 to 20, the team needs an education program capable of offering a curriculum that meets a range of learning levels - a benefit they receive from Kaplan University's extensive set of courses. Further, they require an institution that can offer both classroom education and has deployed state-of-the-art technology for delivering online learning.

The online component of Kaplan University's program is critical for a number of reasons. One, younger players are leaving their high school settings to play in Maine, and often want to continue to take courses through their own institutions. In such cases, Kaplan University will provide access to coursework through the Kaplan computer lab so players can continue to study with their individual high schools, as well as assign them tutors who will aid the learning process and assess and track students' progress.

"If the educational institution they have been attending is in Canada, for example, as if the case with many of our high school players, they'll have access to tutors and other resources through online education," says Schurman.

Online access to learning resources is also important because the team is on the road so often. "We'll travel 60,000 miles in a typical season, and because we're on the road so much, we have Wi-fi on the bus so players can complete their course work online," says Schurman. Kaplan University will monitor individual players' progress and make necessary accommodations for those who need to complete tests and other educational tasks while on the road.

"Our flexible schedule, innovative technology and students-first approach will give the MAINEiacs players the opportunity to attain their educational goals through Kaplan University's blended learning model no matter where they are during the busy hockey season," says Cote.

Both Schurman and Cote call the MAINEiacs/Kaplan University relationship a win-win situation and look forward to working together this season and beyond.

"During the past few weeks the energy and enthusiasm the MAINEiacs team has brought to our campus has been extraordinary," says Cote. "I want to personally welcome the team back to the Lewiston-Auburn community for another great hockey season and wish them best of luck."

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Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from October 7, 2010


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