During his formative years, Gary MacDonald was a top notch athlete. He was a key member of Mount Carmel's championship soccer and basketball teams in the mid-sixties. He was also a member of the New Waterford Strands, winners of numerous provincial championships. However, it was on the baseball diamond that Gary's reputation as an elite athlete evolved. From his shortstop position, he was the inspirational leader on various teams he played on. His strong bat, defensive wizardry, and fierce competitive spirit, were his trademarks.

While a member of the Sydney Sooners in the Nova Scotia Senior Baseball League, Gary's play drew rave notice. He became known as the premiere shortstop in the league, winning all-star berths in successive years. Gary's finest moment on the baseball field came in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, as a member of Nova Scotia's representative at the Canadian Senior Baseball Championships in 1975. The Nova Scotia team riding his hot bat and defensive brilliance were challenging for National baseball honors. In the semi-final game against the hometown team, Gary silenced a large crowd by belting a game winning three-run homer. An unfortunate turn of events spoiled the Nova Scotia squad's hopes as Gary was surprisingly upended by the North Battleford catcher as he crossed the plate, breaking his leg in several places. Unable to gain momentum after Gary's loss, the Nova Scotia team lost to Alberta in the championship game.

Gary MacDonald was New Waterford's first recreation director. He served the town in that capacity for twenty years before his untimely passing in 1995. New Waterford enjoys the reputation of having the finest recreation facilities in the province. Gary MacDonald was the architect of these modern facilities, supervising their construction and bringing them up to national standards. Under his guidance, the MacKinnon Soccer Complex, the Gerry Marsh Baseball Field, the Park, Tucker and Burns Baseball Diamonds, the Tennis Courts and Colliery Lands Park were constructed and today serve as part of Gary's legacy.

In Cape Breton recreation circles, Gary was viewed as a leader, a person who could rally groups behind the recreation agenda. Former Glace Bay recreation director, Fred Brooks, attests that, "aside from Gary's extreme professionalism, his strength of character is what made this man stand head and shoulders above the crowd. In my association with Gary, I have never heard one person speak negatively about him. He is and will continue to be sadly missed. Gary had not only 'talked the talk' but had 'walked the walk' and had instilled a set of standards for living that exhibited both strength and courage."

With the naming of a division in Coal Bowl '97, the Board of Directors of the New Waterford Coal Bowl Classic pays tribute to the work Gary did on behalf of the Coal Bowl and the community he so dearly loved.

In his younger days, John Gillis was a well-rounded athlete. He excelled in soccer, basketball, hockey, baseball, and track & field. John went on to attend St. F.X. University where he was a star member of the varsity soccer team that captured the Maritime titles in the 1962 and 1963 seasons. After St. F.X., John became a valued member of the New Waterford Strands, winners of numerous Provincial and Maritime championships.

John started teaching at Mount Carmel School in 1964. While at Mount Carmel, John developed a reputation as a high calibre coach. For many years, he coached all the teams at the school; a team in every season, starting with soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and track in the spring. For several years, John coached both the boys and girls basketball teams in the same season.

During the 1964-65 seasons, John piloted two very strong boys and girls teams at Mount Carmel. Both teams dominated all competition on their journeys to the provincial finals, causing a dilemma for their young coach. The girls were to travel to Shelburne, while the boys were to host the provincials at Mount Carmel. John decided to accompany the girls to Shelburne where they lost to a strong Lockport team, while the boys, under the guidance of assistant coach Marshall Desveaux, captured the Provincial title before capacity crowds at Mt. Carmel gym. That championship in absentia was John's first at Mt. Carmel; he went on to win three more as coach. His teams captured Provincial titles in soccer in 1968 and basketball and golf in 1969.

When Breton Education Centre opened in 1970, John was appointed Department Head of the Phys. Ed. Department. Over the years, John has coached numerous top- ranked teams at Breton. Even during retirement, he still finds time to coach the senior girls.

John Gillis ranks as one of New Waterford's most successful coaches. He used sport as a vehicle to teach life skills and develop strong character in his athletes. John's analytical approach and low-key demeanour made him an excellent role model for his athletes in the four decades that he has coached. The Coal Bowl Classic is honoured to have John serve as Divisional Chairperson for the '97 tournament.