Mr. George Hughes was born and raised in the town of New Waterford, Nova Scotia, to parents Earl and Elizabeth Hughes. George was one of six children, including brothers Roy and Carmen both residing in the New Waterford area, and his sisters including Anna who resides in Prince Edward Island, Norma who resides in Montreal, and Vera residing in Lantz, Nova Scotia.

George attended Central High School for his secondary education, completing his Grade 12, in 1964. He then continued his academic studies at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. George was diligent in his studies successfully completing a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Masters of Education at Dalhousie University. Throughout his successful school years George was known as an all-around sportsman whose athletic endeavors equaled if not surpassed his educational credits. George was extremely talented in playing soccer, having been a member of two Provincial High School championship teams and one Senior Provincial Team. He was also an avid baseball player, having been a member on two Maritime Senior Baseball championship teams which twice represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Junior Baseball Championships. George was also a member of the Nova Scotia Summer Games Baseball Team. But even with this extraordinary ability, George was known throughout his school years for his talent on the basketball court.

George excelled as a basketball player early in his high school years winning the Provincial High School title in 1960. George continued on to winning the Canadian Juvenile Championship title in 1961, and the Provincial High School Championship title again in 1964. George then completed his high school education and started university, where from 1964 1969 he was a member of the Dalhousie University Men's Basketball Team. George was leading scorer all 4 years he played university basketball and he held scoring records in several tournaments, was all-star in each tournament and for all four years he played university basketball, started every university game. It is still noted that prior to George arriving at Dalhousie University, they had never had a winning season, and upon his arrival they did not have a losing season for the four years he attended. George did not finish his basketball career at this point, but he continued his success as a member of the Nova Scotian Bronze Medal Team in the first Canada Winter Games. George then played on the Canada National Team in 1969 and twice represented Nova Scotia at the Canadian Basketball Championships. George then continued his sports involvement as a coach, coaching the Nova Scotia Canada Games team for the 1976 Canada Winter Games.

This impressive sports career has been echoed by a successful teaching career for George, who is presently the vice-principal of Sackville High School in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia. George is married to Jeannie Robinson and they have two children. Chris is in the Information Technology field and Kate who is a PhD with Boston College, Boston, NY. Kate is also a renowned opera singer. The Coal Bowl Board of Directors is pleased to honor this outstanding athlete, George Hughes as Division Chairman for the 2000 Coal Bowl Games.

Mr. Simon Chiasson was born and raised in New Waterford, Nova Scotia. Simon is one of five children born to Len P. Chiasson and Annie Roach. He has one brother Melvin, and three sisters: Leona, Mary Anne, and Wilfredine. 

Simon attended Mount Carmel for his secondary education and completed his grade 11 in 1962 before attending Xavier Junior College for one year 1962-1963. Simon then continued his studies at the post-secondary level, attending Acadia University from 1963-1965 successfully obtaining his Bachelor of Arts. Then he successfully completed his Bachelor of Education in 1967 at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Simon's hard work in his educational pursuits allowed him the opportunity to become a teacher with the Cape Breton Victoria District School Board for 30 years, before retiring in 1996.

Simon's professional career was enhanced by his commitment to his community and to sports and recreation. Simon developed his love for sports early in life and participated in several sports throughout his school years. Simon played high school soccer and was a member of the Central Boys Team winning Nova Scotia titles in both 1961 and 1962. Simon's athletic ability and talent led him to the sport of basketball, and it is here where Simon has made an outstanding contribution to the sport, both in Cape Breton and Nova Scotia.

Simon was a member of the 1960-1961 Canadian Juvenile Championship Team, and in 1961-1962, he was a member of the Xavier College Intermediate Championship team. Simon continued his athletic success at Acadia University when in 1963-1964 Acadia's Men's Basketball Team became AUAA champions. Simon then continued his basketball career obtaining a Canadian Title in 1964-1965 and four Maritime Championship titles before playing with the Sydney Mines "73ers" successfully obtaining three Nova Scotia Intermediate titles. Simon's commitment to sports then took on the role of coach, clinician and referee. Simon has been credited with starting the first Basketball Camp/Clinic in 1971 for the Northside area, which continues today.

Simon has since retired from his successful teaching career to Big Harbor, Nova Scotia with wife Joan and children David and Jonathan. His son David is an Engineer with the Department of Education, Halifax, Nova Scotia, and his son Jonathan is a teacher in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. Both of Simon's children carried on their father's love of basketball, both members of Memorial High School Basketball teams, and both former Coal Bowl participants. The Coal Bowl Board of Directors are pleased to honor Simon Chiasson during Coal Bowl 2000 as Division Chairman in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport of basketball.