Fred was an outstanding athlete who started his basketball career at the tender age of seven. Basket- ball was his first love, although playing in many other sports.

Fred played nets in hockey. He was a member of the Caledonia rugby team, winning many championships. Fred also played some baseball and softball, also known to strap on boxing gloves for an occassional bout. Fred, as a runner, won the 1934 Dominion One Mile Race.

Fred joined the New Waterford Strands in 1939. He became known as the spark-plug of the team. At 5'6", he showed you did not have to be tall to enjoy suc- cess at the game.

His career was interrupted in the early 40's when he joined the Navy. He remained active in sports even then as a Phys. Ed. Instructor. After the Navy, Fred returned home and picked up with the Strands again. He was captain and leading scorer in 1947 when the Strands won the Canadian Intermediate Champion- ship. The Strands were inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame for this feat.

Fred was married to the former Rodina McMullin in 1940. They have four children who are still avid basketball fans. The Coal Bowl is proud to have the "Fred Connors Division" in the 1987 Classic.

"Joe F." as he is known to many, played an impor- tant part in New Waterford's proud basketball history. Joe did not play the game, but played an important role as manager of some of the greater Strands teams.

Joe started his work with basketball in the late 30's when he managed the New Waterford Trojans, refeered jokenly by Joe as the Dirty Trojans. In the early 40's, Joe came in contact with the Strands and managed them for some nine years.

Joe Chiasson was owner and operator of Medical Hall Drugs in Town and finanaced many team sports. Joe was manager of the Strands through four Maritime Championships and two Canadian titles. In 1946-47, Joe managed the Strands when they captured Cana- dian honors and as a result, was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980.

Joe also financed baseball operations in the days when the Import players were on the scene. Anything to do with sports, Joe F. was there lending a hand. Joe was honored by the New Waterford Rotary Club in June of 1983 in recognition of 60 years of faithful and exceptional service to the people of New Water- ford as a citizen and phamacist. The Coal Bowl is honored to have the Joseph F. Chiasson Division in the 1987 Coal Bowl Classic.