Three of Archie and Janie Hutchison’s boys stood out in sports.

John Blair was an accomplished baseball, soccer and basketball player.

In baseball, he was an outstanding catcher, with a tremendous throwing arm and a heavy bat. As a soccer player, his aggressive play from the fullback position led Mount Carmel High to a Provincial Championship in 1963. John Blair was an all around basketball player, a strong shooter, rebounder, ball handler and a tenacious defensive player. In February of 1966 tragedy hit the Hutchison Family as John Blair was killed in a car accident. His distraught teammates were left with a huge void heading into playoffs without their Captain and best player. The team rallied to win the Nova Scotia Championship at Mt. Carmel gym, less than five weeks after John Blair’s passing; a bittersweet moment for the Hutchinsons and John Blair’s teammates.

Jack Hutchison also excelled in baseball, basketball and soccer. Jack was also an accomplished catcher in baseball. In basketball, Jack was an outstanding scorer and outside shooter. In 1973, Jack was a member of BEC’s Provincial Championship Soccer squad. Jack went on to play basketball and soccer at Dalhousie University, a testament to his outstanding athletic ability. Jack played on three AUS Championships teams while at Dalhousie, with one of those teams winning a CIS Silver Medal. After graduating from Dalhousie, Jack started a lengthy and amazingly successful coaching career in soccer. During his tenure, Jack was named AUS, Coach of the Year, twice, and his teams won nine Nova Scotia Age Group Titles, two AUS Titles and a Canadian Senior Women’s Soccer Title. Currently Jack serves as Technical Coordinator for the Halifax Dunbrack Soccer Club. Jack and his wife, Donna live in Sackville, NS.

Archie Hutchison continued in his brothers’ footsteps by excelling in the same sports. In baseball, Archie was a slick fielding middle infielder and a key member of a New Waterford Kinsmen team, winners of the Provincial Midget title in 1973 Later on, his baseball skills transferred to the softball field where he was a standout member of the Halifax Dairy Queen team, winners of the NS Senior Slow Pitch Title in 1990. Archie’s started playing soccer at BEC as a Grade 8 student. He was a key member of the BEC team that won the NS Title in 1976. He represented Nova Scotia in the Canada Games in 1977 and played varsity soccer at St.F.X. during the 77 season. Archie then transferred to the College of Cape Breton in 1978 and led the soccer team to a championship while leading the league in scoring as a midfielder. Archie’s basketball career started when he earned a spot on the high school team as a Grade 7 student. Over his basketball career, Archie’s was often the leading scorer on his teams. As a diminutive point guard, Archie was named to numerous ALL Star teams. In 1976, Archie was named Athlete of the Year at BEC, a testament to his outstanding ability in soccer and basketball. Archie was a member of the 1978-79 College of Cape Breton championship team and also a member of the New Waterford’s Strands, winners of the Maritime Intermediate Championship in 1972. Archie and his wife Patti, a former Acadia basketball star, reside in Halifax. Archie has been a huge supporter of Coal Bowl over the past 36 years.

It would be remiss not to mention the tremendous amount of support that the Hutchison boys received from their mother, Janie and their sister Doreen. Both ladies were tremendous fans, who attended every home game, cheering  for the boys and their teammates

Coal Bowl is honoured to have the Hutchison family as a Division Chair for Coal Bowl 2019.

Five of Rannie and Margaret MacLellan’s ten children excelled in basketball.

Collins was the star player for the Mount Carmel High Mounties when they captured the NS Headmasters Basketball Title in the spring of 1966. Collin’s caught fire in the championship game scoring twenty one points to lead the Mounties to a hard fought victory over a tough Wolfville squad. Collins was a great outside shooter who possessed the remarkable ability to shoot with either hand from the outside. His ambidextrous ability was a source of confusion for many opponents. Collins rounded out his playing career as a member of the New Waterford Strands, winners of the Maritime Intermediate Championship in 1972. Collins was also an outstanding goalie on several high calibre Mount Carmel soccer teams. Collins currently resides on Warren Ave.

Colonel MacLellan was an exceptional guard who was a starter at Mount Carmel as a Grade 9 student. Colonel left Mount Carmel after his Grade 10 year to live with his brother, Joe in Grande Prairie, Alberta. He led his teams to berths in the Provincial Championships while in Alberta. Colonel returned home for the 1967/68 school year to lead the Mounties to the NS Headmasters Title. Colonel was an excellent ball handler, driver and outside shooter. His exceptional quickness allowed him to get to the rim at will. At the time, many considered Colonel, to be the best high school player in Nova Scotia. Colonel was also an excellent high school soccer player. Colonel rounded out his playing career as a member of the New Waterford Strands during the 1973-74 season. Colonel and His wife Jackie ( MacQuarrie) reside in Margaree Centre.

Archie MacLellan was an outstanding playmaking guard. While at Mount Carmel, Archie played on two Provincial Championship teams. Archie possessed a lightning, quick release allowing him to get his shot off in most situations His scrappy style of play combined with his vision and slick playmaking skills were also on display in 1982, as he led his Hay River-Fort Smith team to the Northwest Territories Senior Championship.  Archie also coached the Hay River–Fort Smith squad to the Northwest Territories Senior Volleyball Championship.  Archie also spent many years as a top-notch referee while living in Okotoks, Alberta. He currently resides with his mother, Margaret, in the family home on Warren Avenue.

Hugh Allan MacLellan was blessed with exceptional athletic ability. His quickness, running and jumping ability allowed him to excel in basketball and soccer. In 1973, he was a member of the first championship soccer team at BEC.  Hugh Allan was one of the best high school basketball players in the province during his years at BEC.  He was also a key member of the Mount Carmel Senior Soccer team, winners of the Provincial Challenge Cup Title in the summer of 1974. After leaving BEC, Hugh Allan went on to star at Xavier College in soccer and basketball and was named Athlete of the Year at Xavier in 1974. In 1979, while playing at the College of Cape Breton, his outside shooting and driving ability, along with his quickness on defence were key factors for the Capers as they captured the NS Collegiate Title at newly opened Sullivan Fieldhouse. Hugh Allan was also a star soccer player for the Capers. He was also a member of several New Waterford Strands basketball teams and his outstanding play helped them win a Maritime Intermediate Title in 1972. Hugh Allan resides in Dartmouth.

Ronalda (MacLellan) Lovegrove followed in her brothers’ footsteps. She was an accomplished basketball player at Breton Education Centre. Her playing career continued to flourish as she attended the College of Cape Breton where she excelled in basketball and field hockey. Ronalda was named the Most Valuable Player of the basketball team in 1975. Ronalda and her husband, Martin, reside outside of London in the UK. A particular note of interest is that Ronalda is an investor in the Broadway hit show, “Come From Away”. Ronalda was a key promoter of the show, as her persistence and influence was a catalyst in the show reaching Broadway.

One can’t review the MacLellan family sports history without mentioning their mother, Margaret. Margaret who recently celebrated her 96th birthday was a fixture at sporting events, supporting her children. She is fondly remembered as a member of a famous New Waterford Sports Trio, consisting of herself, Janie Hutchison and Anna Cormier. Together, from their front row seats on the Mount Carmel stage, they created havoc for the referees with their subtle and not so subtle remarks. Truly, a significant home court advantage for the Mount Carmel teams.

Coal Bowl is pleased to welcome the MacLellan Family as a Division Chair for Coal Bowl 2019.