CBU Opens the Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan Capers Hall of Fame

On Friday, March 3, CBU officially opened the newest space on campus, The Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan Capers Hall of Fame.

First established in 2018, the Capers Hall of Fame recognizes individuals and teams who exemplify what it means to be a Caper at Cape Breton University. The Capers Hall of Fame also recognizes supporters who make an impact in the world of sports and who help build the athletics program at CBU.

The space was officially named after the founding member of the CBU athletics program, Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan.

“For Capers Athletics, we owe our past, and where we are today to an exceptional leader, coach, mentor and visionary, Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan,” says President and Vice-Chancellor David C. Dingwall. “Bucky is one of Cape Breton and CBU’s biggest champions. His knowledge, determination and passion helped bring many events here, including the 1987 Jeux Canada Games, and he touched the lives of countless athletes and students.”

Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan was the first Athletics Director at CBU and dedicated 32 years of his career to building a nationally recognized athletics program that promotes strong student-athletes and dedicated coaches and staff. Dr. Buchanan was years ahead of his time when it came to developing athletes and athletics programs and his values of dedication, hard work and courage live on within the CBU Athletics department today.

“I get to represent CBU Athletics across the country from Newfoundland to British Columbia wearing the Capers brand and everyone asks me about Bucky and know of our school and program,” says Director of Athletics and Recreation, John Ryan. “Dr. Buchanan is synonymous with CBU, synonymous with the athletics name and orange and green and he is the true pinnacle of what it means to be a Caper.”

Dr. Buchanan started his career at CBU in a small office on George Street when the campus was located downtown. He worked every day to grow the athletics program from very humble beginnings to one of the most recognizable programs in the country with more than 81 Academic All Canadians, 11 USport medals, 31 AUS Championships, 264 AUS All Stars and 88 AUS major awards.

“We moved here in 1968 and we only planned to stay a short time to get the program up and running. My wife Ann and I quickly fell in love with the institution and the Island and we knew that this would now be our home for a long time,” says Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan. “I am so honoured and humbled to have the CAPERS Hall of Fame named after me. CBU and Capers Athletics was and is such a big part of my life and I will be forever grateful to President Dingwall and John Ryan for making this dream come true for me.”

The opening of the new Dr. Carl “Bucky” Buchanan Capers Hall of Fame comes just days before CBU welcomes the country when they host the 2023 Protocase USports Women’s Basketball National Championship Presented by Bell.