Sport was always a hobby that Dr. Cecil MacLean cherished. Born in Baily’s Brook, Dr. MacLean maintained a sport column in the weekly Antigonish paper where he wrote about the philosophy of sport and the world scene (transcripts of two of his column articles can be found as images below).
MacLean coached the St. Francis Xavier X-men hockey team from 1939 to 1942. He was also coach of the X-men baseball team, which featured many future Hall of Famers such as Skit Ferguson, John Myketyn, and John (Brother) MacDonald.
He started broadcasting when Danny Gallivan came to St. F.X. and the radio station CJFX was founded. MacLean broadcast St. F.X.’s rugby-football; gave the blow-by-blow for boxing matches involving George (Rock-a-Bye) Ross; and covered horse races from Truro, New Glasgow, and Sydney. He would also travel Nova Scotia to broadcast baseball, and hockey.
• Retired French Professor
• Maintains Sports Column Weekly Antigonish Casket
• Taught French at St. FX for 47 Years
• Played Hockey on a European All-Star Team
• Received his Doctorate in French from Uni of Paris
• Continued Hockey as Goalie for Antigonish Sr Team
• Coached Hockey X-Men 1939-42
• Coached Antigonish Intermediate Hockey Team
• Started Broadcasting at Antigonish Radio Station
• Broadcasted Baseball and Hockey Games in NS
• Secretary NS Rugby Football Union
• Chairman NS Racing Commission
• Vice-President Maritime Amateur Hockey Association
• President APC Hockey League for 3 Years
• Secretary NS Baseball Association
