Bernie Chisholm: Cross Country Coach 1969

March 30, 2020

Bernie Chisholm: Cross Country Coach 1969 - 2018

January 29, 1948 was a special day for Archie and Josie (Decoffe) Chisholm as they welcomed their son Bernard St John Chisholm into the world. He, his two sisters Liz and Bernice and his brother Archie were raised on the family farm nestled on South River Road, Antigonish.

Bernie was born to run and spent his youth road racing the country roads of Antigonish County where his accomplishments were soon noticed by The one and only, Frank McGibbon. Bernie began to work with Frank and spent many mornings, afternoons and weekends honing and perfecting his skills which inevitably led him to coach Frank's beloved running club in 1969. Here, he remained until 1973.

Hundreds of track meets, dozens of venues, thousands of athletes and fans ultimately led to a chance encounter with a young Highland dancer named Brenda McAdam. Sparks flew, the relationship soon turned into marriage and they set about creating their own cross country team consisting of four boys Mark, David, Brent and Doug.

Having graduated from Antigonish High School and obtaining his BA and BED at St. FX, Bernie joined the coaching staff at Dr. John Hugh Gillis school where he led the cross country teams to 49 provincial titles between 1973 and 2004. In 1986, while still coaching at the high school level, Bernie began coaching both the men’s and women’s cross country teams at St. FX where he remained until handing the reins to one of his greatest protégés, Eric Gillis in 2018.

Bernie's tenure at St FX garnered many accolades as the teams were elevated from club to varsity status and subsequently produced 17 AUS Banners, eight women’s team titles and nine men's titles. All tolled, athletes under his leadership have won over 70 AUS gold medals, 15 AUS titles and numerous Academic All Canadian accolades. All these accomplishments before we even begin to mention his coaching of Olympian Eric Gillis, Commonwealth games runner Robyn Meagher, CIS champion Lavinia Gough, All Canadians Michelle Chisholm and Leanne MacLean and two time Canada Games runner, John MacLellan.

Bernie's contribution over the years is undeniable and is further demonstrated by his induction into both The Nova Scotia Sports Hall of Fame in 2004 and The St. FX Sports Hall of Fame in 2014.