Richie Spears, a native of New Waterford, Nova Scotia started a glorious basketball career at Central High School but made his mark at Acadia University. Under the infamous coach Stu Aberdeen, Spears developed a deadly outside shot and the tenacity to lead the Axemen to the CIAU title in 1965.

A 14th round draft pick for the St. Louis Hawks of the NBA in 1964, Spears elected to play for the Canadian National team and played senior ball in Nova Scotia. He turned to coaching in the 1970’s leading Dawson College of Montreal to the National Small College Championships and developed Laurentian University women’s team into a national power. Richie Spears was inducted into the Nova Scotia Sport Hall of Fame in 1980.