Chuck Vernon excelled at football, hockey, and lacrosse during his seven years at Williston. In football, Vernon was a standout earning All-New England honors as a senior year playing for Hall of Fame coach Rick Francis. During the winter season, he headed to the frozen pond to play hockey for another legendary Williston coach, Dan Carpenter. He captained the team as a senior, scoring 21 goals in his final year. Remarkably, his line accounted for an astounding 91 out of the 96 points scored by the team that winter! In the spring, Vernon captained the lacrosse team. At the end of his senior year, he and classmate David “Whitey” Felsen ’62, another Hall of Fame member, shared the Denman Award given to the top athlete in the school. In a remarkable tribute to a young Chuck Vernon, the family of a classmate gave a victory bell to the school named his honor because they were so impressed with him as a teammate and competitor. Until this day, ringing the Chuck Vernon Victory Bell on game days remains one of our school’s most cherished traditions. After Williston, Vernon went on to a multi-sport career at Dartmouth College. Following his graduation in 1967, he began his coaching career at Loomis Chaffee where he would eventually coach 135 teams over 50 years! To honor his outstanding contribution to girls ice hockey, NEPSAC named the Elite Division championship tournament in his honor. Yes, the very same championship trophy Williston has won the last two years!
