The late Vernon Conrad was known to his friends as “Vern.” He graduated from Bluffton in 1928 with a major in economics. During his college days he was a four year letterman in football and track.
A.C. Burcky had these comments to make, “I remember Conrad as a football, basketball and track man. An elastic person, with speed and endurance. In track he ran the 100, 220 and the anchor man on the mile relay. To balance out his day he would high jump and broad jump. If this was not enough for one day he would then help in other events if we were short an entry or if he could pick up a point.”
Speaking about Conrad’s football accomplishments, Coach Burcky stated, “His reverse from the single wing flank spot soon established him as the man to watch. Toledo and Bowling Green were in the league when Conrad played and the games were no particular powder puff deals. Perhaps that is why he could run so fast. He had to run fast or get crushed as he weighed about 160 pounds. Whatever anyone could do, Conrad could do better.”
In basketball, Coach Burcky remembers Conrad’s famous leap frog over Warren Rosenberger. Coach states that this feat was accomplished without ruffling a hair.
