Upper Iowa University Athletics Hall of Fame
Howard W. Vernon, Jr., recieved a B.S. degree in 1957 from UIU. In 1962 he recieved an M.A. degree from Drake University in secondary education and has taken several hours towards a doctoral degree at the University of Iowa and the University of Iowa.
At Upper Iowa, Vernon lettered four years in football and baseball and two years in basketball. In 1956 and 1957 he was captain of the Peacock footbal team and was chosen to the All-Conference team. in 1956 he was a catcher on an undefeated baseball team. Vernon was president of his senior class and editor of the school annual.
Vernon's teaching career began at West Central High School, Maynard, where he was also the athletic director and football coach from 1957-1962. His football team won the Upper Iowa Conference Championship in 1961, and was also the Mythic State Champions that year.
From 1962 to 1973 he served Eash High School of Waterloo in various capacities, including teacher, football coach, vice president and principal.
While at East High, Vernon began the longest football winning streak in Iowa with 57 consecutive wins. From 1966-1968 Vernon's team was the state champions.
Along with his duties at East High, in 1965 Vernon's team established the adult night school for high school credit in the Waterloo Community School System and served as the principal until it merged with the Area VII School.
During 1967, Vernon was honored by the Des Moines Register as High School Football Coach of the year in Iowa. In 1970 he was inducted into the Waterloo Sports of Sorts Hall of Fame. In 1972 Vernon was inducted into the Iowa football coaches hall of fame.
From 19731973-1979 Vernon was associated with the University of Iowa as the offensive coordinator of Hawkeye football, sports school director and college relations outreach specialist, and assistant director of the University of Iowa Foundation for athletic fund raising.
Vernon is a member of Rotary and the Masonic Lodge. Vernon's daughter, Vicki, also graduated from Upper Iowa in December of 1984
