Frank MacKenzie ranks as one of New Waterford's longest serving and most successful coaches. He has coached at virtually every level and in numerous sports. Frank's start in the athletic world began as a player. While attending St. Agnes and Central High Schools, he was an accomplished player in soccer, basketball and hockey. He continued his interest in athletics as he pursued his post secondary education. He participated in volleyball, basketball, hockey and soccer while attending N.S. Teachers' College and Xavier College. After university, he continued to excel on the hardwood as he was a valued member of the New Waterford Strands, perennial Provincial Champions.

Frank's impressive coaching career started at St. Joseph's School in Toronto, where he coached all sports at the school during their respective seasons from 1961-65. He coached basketball at St. Agnes High School from 1968-70, where he developed such basketball talents as Billy Burns, current coach of the UCCB Čapers. With the closing of the local high schools and the opening of Breton Education Centre in 1970, he secured a teaching position at the state-of-the-art high school where he continued to develop top calibre basketball squads. The first boys' team at BEC, drawing on talent developed at the feeder schools, Mt. Carmel, St. Agnes and Central, became a provincial powerhouse under Frank's tutelage. Players such as Pius Burke, Archie MacLellan, Bill Bums, Ken Cormier, Jack Hutchison, Hugh Allan MacLellan and Archie Hutchison quickly established themselves as championship contenders.

In 1985, Frank turned his attention to the girls' program at BEC. He coached the junior and senior girls' teams from 1985-91, where once again, he developed provincial contenders with such stars as Amanda Wilcox, Shana Allen and Dana MacKenzie. During Frank's coaching career his teams have won six Cape Breton titles and made five trips to the Provincial High School Championship Tournament.

During his high school coaching career, Frank found time to work in the town's Minor Basketball and Hockey Programs where his teams won an impressive nine provincial age class champion- ships. Frank ended his coaching career as mentor for the UCCB Women's Capers. He spent five years as the Caper bench boss and was the coach to lead the Capers in their inaugural season in the AUAA.

Franks MacKenzie's efforts in helping youngsters in athletics are a testament to his strong family background and his willingness to volunteer his time to any cause that would help young people. He is remembered in the community as a talented teacher whose wit enthralled his students and as a professional who tried to develop the whole person. His focus took many directions, but his ultimate motive was to serve the youth and serve the community.

Frank is currently retired from teaching; he and his wife, Margie, still find time for community activities and he now actively pursues his passion for theatre. Coal Bowl 2002 is pleased to honor Frank MacKenzie as Honorary Division Chairperson.

Hector Roach was born and raised in New Waterford, Nova Scotia to parents Peter and Katie Roach. He is the oldest of five children including Clarence, Marie, Patrick, and Betty. Hector received his primary education at the French school at Mt. Carmel and graduated from Mt. Carmel in 1960. He completed his Grade 12 at Central High in 1961. Hector then continued his studies at the post secondary level, attending Xavier Junior College from 1961-63 and the University of New Brunswick from 1963-66, successfully obtaining his Bachelor of Physical Education and Bachelor of Education. In 1980, a passion for nature led to further studies at Queens University specializing in environmental science and outdoor education. He also took an outdoor leadership course in Wales for three months. Hector's entire teaching career was spent in Fredericton, New Brunswick, where he taught for 5 years at St. Dunstan's Elementary, 22 years at George Street Middle School and 5 years at Fredericton High. He retired from teaching in 1998.

A keen interest in sports was developed at a very young age by this talented athlete. Like many of his peers, Hector became a gym rat at the Strand gym where he perfected his basketball skills. While attending Mt. Carmel High, Hector excelled at both soccer and basketball. In 1960-61, Hector played centre half on the Central High soccer team which won the first Provincial Championship. Later that season, he was a member of the Central High basketball team which brought home the Canadian Juvenile title to New Waterford. In 1963, while attending Xavier Jr. College, Hector proved once again that he was a winner when he led Xavier to its first Nova Scotia Intermediate "A" title. A note of interest conceming this team: seven of twelve members were from New Waterford and three of the starting five also represented this community. This team also handily defeated St. F.X. Junior Varsity in an exhibition match played in Antigonish. Hector continued his varsity career at the University of New Brunswick, being an integral member of the Red Raiders from 1963-67. He continued to play senior ball in Fredericton after graduation and was the point guard on a powerful team which included Rick Cotter and Dan Patterson.

Hector has been a great sports ambassador for the town of New Waterford; however, it is in his capacity as a basketball coach in Fredericton that we can be most proud of this fine export. Hector presided over the varsity boys' basketball program at George Street Middle School for a period of 20 years. His teams won 15 district championships, including 13 in a row in that period and went on to capture eight provincial titles. In 1989, he was the recipient of the Coach of the Year award from the Province of New Brunswick.

Some of the players Hector set on the road to basketball greatness included the father/son tandem of Bruce and Jordan McCormack, Bob Fagan, Richie Sullivan, Gordon McNeilly and Jeff Cotter. In 1999, the Hector Roach Boys Middle School Basketball Tournament was created to recognize his storied coaching career. Retirement will not see this well-rounded individual rust away. He and wife Nancy formed their own hiking and tour-guiding business called Back Country Adventures. Travel, refereeing, volunteering as a pet therapist using his black lab Cubby, and spending time with son Billy and daughter Sarah will occupy much of his time (when he is not babysitting his granddaughter).

The Coal Bowl Board of Directors is pleased to honour Hector Roach during Coal Bowl 2002 as Division Chairman in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the sport of basketball.