Bernie Chiasson was born in New Waterford in 1932. He attended Mount Carmel and Central Schools. He worked for a period of time in the mines before transferring to the Power Commission at Seaboard in Glace Bay. Bernie and his wife Jean (MacDonald) have five children, Raymond, Timmy, Paul, Bernie Jr., and Donna.

Bernie Chiasson was one of New Waterford's finest all round athletes. In his younger years, Bernie participated in basketball, baseball, boxing and rugby. He played baseball at the midget, juvenile, junior and senior levels. Bernie also played on several Mount Carmel High School baseball teams which captured numerous Cape Breton Rotary Baseball championships. Bernie also played rugby at Mount Carmel and Central High Schools. He was an avid boxer in his younger days, having participated in many Golden Gloves boxing tournaments throughout Cape Breton.

Bernie excelled as a basketball player. Like many Mt. Carmel athletes he grew up learning the game of basketball at the famous Strand Gym. The Strand was where Bernie honed his basketball skills; playing through the various divisions from midget to senior classifications. Bernie's crowning basketball achievement was during the 1950-51 school year while serving as captain of the Mount Carmel basketball team. Bernie was a prime scorer and defender for the Mount Carmel squad which was successful in bringing the first high school boys' basketball championship to New Waterford. The team was coached by the legendary Jack MacKenzie and all the players were products of the Strands Minor Basketball system. Bernie was the true leader on this team.

After his playing days were over, Bernie devoted much of his time to coaching. Bernie was particularly fond of coaching younger children and many New Waterford athletes got their start under his expert tutelage.

Upon hearing of his choice for division chairman, Bernie was both honored and thrilled. Regrettably, Bernie cannot be here to celebrate his chairmanship, as he passed away several months ago. Bernie was a tremendous Coal Bowl supporter and his presence at Coal Bowl will be greatly missed. The Coal Bowl Board of Directors are pleased and honored to have Bernie Chiasson's name stand as division chairperson for Coal Bowl 2001.

Joan (Connors) Anderson was born in New Waterford and attended St. Agnes High School. She went on to receive her Nursing Certificate from St. Joseph's in Glace Bay before receiving her B.Sc. from Florida International University in Miami. Joan also received Administrative and Education Degrees from Nova University in Florida. Joan taught at Pahokee High School in Florida and held several positions in the Education and Health fields before her retirement in 1995.

During her high school years, Joan played just about every sport that was available at the time. She participated in softball, skating, swimming and basketball. Joan was the captain of the St. Agnes High School girls basketball team which captured back to back Nova Scotia provincial championships between 1948 and 1950. At the time, Joan held a high school record of 42 points in one game.

After Joan's playing days were over, she devoted much of her time to coaching and officiating. Joan officiated high school basketball, softball and volleyball. She was the assistant athletic director at Pahokee High School where she served as the assistant girls' basketball coach. Joan also holds the distinction of having been the first female football coach in the history of the Palm Beach County educational system. This program was introduced by football coach Jimmy Johnson from the University of Florida. Joan was successful in leading her academic football team to the Florida State Championships. At the age of 51, Joan participated in the Florida Senior Olympics at West Palm Beach. She dominated the event coming away with 14 gold medals. 

The Coal Bowl Board of Directors are very pleased and honored to have Joan (Connors) Anderson, one of New Waterford's finest female athletes, serve as Division Chairperson for Coal Bowl 2001.