Dr. Carl (Bucky) Buchanan is a name many Cape Bretoners know quite well.
The former Albert Bridge resident is famous for his dedication to the sports community in general and in particular at the former University College of Cape Breton, now known as Cape Breton University.
From his time behind the scenes as director of athletics to his career behind the bench of various sports teams, Buchanan was an instrumental part of the formation of what the Sydney university has today in terms of its athletic department.
Buchanan was first hired as director of athletics in 1968 at the former Xavier College, the forerunner of CBU, and was immediately faced with the major task of planning an athletic facility, which today is Sullivan Field House.
Although Buchanan has always credited others, he was a driving force in getting things off the ground and shaping the facility for the future. What he never forgot in the process was to include the coaching staff of each program in the decision making.
Over time, Cape Breton University’s athletic facilities have grown with the building of the Canada Games Complex for the 1987 Canada Winter Games — an event which had Buchanan as its president — and renovations to the soccer field and the construction of the Cape Breton Health Recreation Complex.
In an interview with the Cape Breton Post in 2018, Buchanan believed the current sports facilities at CBU were "as good as athletic facilities anywhere in Canada," acknowledging how lucky the student-athletes were to have the infrastructure right on campus.
Buchanan, originally from Sussex, N.B., offered more than just his knowledge behind the scenes.
In the early years of the athletics program, Buchanan was the only faculty coach on campus. He coached soccer, hockey, baseball and basketball in his first year, while running the athletics program, and teaching three courses — if that's not impressive, what is?
Although successful in coaching all sports, Buchanan’s fame came behind the bench of the Capers hockey team.
The Capers team began playing in the Eastern Junior Hockey League with Glace Bay, North Sydney and Sydney. The Capers would continue in the junior league for a few years, while also playing in the college league, which Buchanan believed was beneficial for his players.
The team went on to play in the local senior league, gaining experience for what would later lead to a national championship.
In 1977-78, the Capers men’s hockey team defeated the Red Deer College Kings of Alberta, 5-4, to capture the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association championship in Montreal, marking the first-ever national title for a Nova Scotia team at any level.
Later in his coaching career, Buchanan would win the 1986 Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association coach of the year award. He guided his hockey club to a silver medal in 1981 and three bronze medal finishes in 1975, 1976 and 1983 at nationals.
Buchanan was one of the first coaches to be inducted into the CCAA hall of fame in 2015. He's also been inducted into the Cape Breton Sports Hall of Fame (2003), Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame (2010), as well as the Cape Breton Horsemen Hall of Fame.
The former Albert Bridge resident is famous for his dedication to the sports community in general and in particular at the former University College of Cape Breton, now known as Cape Breton University.
He was also honoured by Cape Breton University as one of the first inductees into the Capers Hall of Fame in 2018.
In a heartfelt Letter to the Editor in the Aug. 25 edition of the Cape Breton Post, Buchanan thanked the residents of Cape Breton for welcoming him to the island 52 years ago and announced he would be relocating to the Dartmouth area to be closer to family.
"I would like to thank the good people of this great island for help, kindness and love," Buchanan wrote in the letter. "Cape Breton has been my home for most of my adult life and I will miss my friends and the Cape Breton way of life tremendously."
As Cape Bretoners, Buchanan's kind words are appreciated. In reality, it's island residents who should be thankful for his contributions, not only the success behind the bench, but the legacy and infrastructure he was able to help create, providing plenty of opportunity for CBU student-athletes, and community sporting organizations, to grow and continue developing players.
Although we're sad Buchanan will no longer be a resident of the island, the decision to relocate is understandable. He will be missed, but surely will only be a phone call away if his expertise is needed.
Bucky, hopefully this column reaches you. If you're reading this, on behalf of the Cape Breton sports community, we thank you for your work and wish you all the best in the future.
Jeremy Fraser covers sports for the Cape Breton Post. He welcomes column ideas, sports story suggestions or feedback about this week’s Sports Chat.
