Wendell MacGibbon was born and raised in New Waterford and has been extremely involved with the game of soccer since his school days. He has been a player, coach, manager, volunteer and referee since his first introduction to the game.

Wendell has a Bachelor of Arts from St. Francis Xavier University, a Bachelor of Business Administration from Cape Breton University and a CIM Diploma from the University College of Cape Breton. His extensive coaching experience began at the Junior High level at Sherwood Park Education Centre, Sheriff Jr. High, Woodill Jr. High and Breton Education Centre. He was the Head Coach of the BEC BEARS Division I Soccer Team from 1981 - 1990 and won three provincial titles during that time. Wendell coached the University College of Cape Breton women's team from 1991-93 and the University College of Cape Breton men's in 1993. He coached the New Waterford Senior Wolves from 1978-1996 and won provincial titles in Senior B Men's, under 16 and under 18 boys. He also coached the Cape Breton Kixx (1993-1999) Senior Women and won the Atlantics in 1993 and played at the Nationals the same year. In 2001 he was the Atlantic All Star Coach for under 17 boys and coached the Senior Halifax Durbrack Men's team in 2002-03. Since 2004, he has been coaching the Cape Breton Senior Men's team.

Wendell holds a National Coaching Certification Class 3 (NCCP) and is a Provincial Coaching Instructor. He holds a Nova Scotia Provincial "B" licence and a Canadian Soccer Association "C" licence. He helped to implement and modify material for the provincial soccer manual and has conducted High Performance Clinics in Nova Scotia, Ontario and British Columbia. He has developed a referee's manual and developed a referee's instructor's course.

Wendell was awarded the Cape Breton Sports Heritage Official of the year for 2002. He was soccer Nova Scotia Coach of the year in 1982, 1987 and 1991. In 1983 he achieved Soccer Nova Scotia's highest award and a Nova Scotia Soccer League Merit in 2007.

Wendell was Chair of Soccer Nova Scotia Referee Development Committee in 2000-01 and the Atlantic Sport Referee Coordinator in 2001. He was the Nova Scotia representative at the Senior Nationals in Ontario in 2001. He continues to referee at the Senior and University levels today. Wendell also is a nationally certified referee assessor and works in that capacity presently. In his spare time Wendell enjoys running, golfing and biking.

It is with honour that the Coal Bowl Board of Directors name Wendell MacGibbon as Division Chair person for Coal Bowl 2009.

Richie was born and raised in New Waterford and attended Mount Carmel High School. He was heavily involved in sports as a youth and student and was a member of the Division "A" Championship Soccer Team at Mount Camel High School. Richie continues to be actively involved in soccer since his school days and presently is an assistant coach of the Cape Breton University Men's Soccer team which won the AUS Championship in 2007.

Richie was Coach of the Year in 1993 when his under 18 select team won the Provincial Championship. He was an assistant coach at BEC in 1994-95 when they captured back to back Division I Nova Schools Championships. In 1996, Richie became Head Coach of the BEC BEARS Division I Boy's Team and they captured their third straight Provincial title. During these years Richie had the opportunity to share these championships with his sons, Stephen in 1994 and Richie Junior in 1996, who were members of these respective teams. Richie was active in coaching summer soccer and high school soccer from the late 80's until 2002.

Richie was also very involved with hockey. He played at the high school, junior, intermediate and senior levels. He was a member of two Nova Scotian Provincial Intermediate Hockey Championships in the 1980's and was Captain of each team. Richie was a level four referee in hockey and refereed at games from high school to the senior level. Richie was also a high school soccer referee as well as umpire for junior/senior baseball. Richie was an active minor hockey coach and was also president Of New Waterford Minor Hockey. He was also active in baseball and fastball and won two Nova Scotia Intermediate "D" Fastball Championships in 1976 and 1977.

Sports have always been a part of Richie's life and he continues to coach for more than forty years. He is still active playing hockey three times a week and golf as often as he can in the summer. m between he spends a great deal of time with his grandchildren whom he loves as much as sports.

Richie recognizes the strong influence of Karl Marsh as his baseball and soccer coach, as well as Father Bob Day, John Brother MacDonald, Marshall Deveaux, and his uncle, Bob Glenndenning who all had a positive impact on him as both a player and a person.

It is obvious Richie was and continues to be a very active member of his community. He enjoys seeing many of the young players he coached assuming leadership roles as coaches, mentors and leaders today. Richie is a retired school teacher and he and his wife, Janet, have four children: Rochelle, Amanda, Stephen and Richie.

It is with great respect that the Coal Bowl Board of Directors name Richie Wilcox as Division Chairperson for Coal Bowl 2009.