As a Stivers Tiger, Vern earned 4 letters in baseball and 2 letters in basketball. During his 4 years at Stivers basketball was very successful in gathering City Championships in 1950, 1951 and 1953. In 1951 they won a District Championship. In 1952 Vern was Honorable Mention All-City and 1st Team All-District. In 1953 he was selected 1st Team All-City, 2nd Team All-District and 1st Team All-State. He was also selected for the Ohio All-Star team.
Vern retired after 32 years as a teacher and coach in the Mad River Township and Dayton Public School Systems.
Vern has been a lifelong resident of the Dayton area. He and his wife Nancy have 6 children, 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.