Carl Vernick played on the Syracuse University basketball team from 1961 to 1964. He led the team in scoring as a sophomore and junior. Syracuse Post-Standard archives
Syracuse, N.Y. ― Carl Vernick, who played basketball at Syracuse University from 1961 to 1964, passed away earlier this month. He was 80 years old.
Vernick’s career spanned a time that saw Syracuse go from one of the nation’s lowliest programs to a team that earned a bid to the National Invitation Tournament. Vernick led Syracuse in scoring in his sophomore and junior seasons. As a senior, he become a role player on a team that featured junior center Chuck Richards plus sophomores Dave Bing, Jim Boeheim and others.
“He was a very good basketball player,’’ former SU player Rex Trobridge said of Vernick. “To look at him, you wouldn’t have said this is an outstanding athlete, but he was a smart player. He didn’t make it on athleticism. He knew and understood the game.’’
Vernick died on January 5, according to Gutterman’s Funeral Home of Boynton Beach, Fla.
A 6-foot-2 guard from Philadelphia, Pa., Vernick started all but two games in his sophomore and junior seasons. As a sophomore, Vernick averaged 16.5 points and 5.4 rebounds. He posted 11.1 points per game as a junior, which still led the team.
Those teams struggled to records of 2-22 and 8-13.
Vernick’s role changed as a senior when Bing joined the varsity. He started 12 games, but his scoring average dipped to 2.6 points per game. Syracuse went 17-8 that year, which culminated in a trip to the NIT. It was just the second post-season tournament appearance in school history.
“I think he looked at it positively,’’ former SU player Frank Nicoletti said of Vernick’s lessened role as a senior. “He was glad to win some games. That was more important to him than being the star.’’
Vernick graduated from Syracuse with a degree in engineering. He became the president and owner of Soil Mechanics Drilling Corp., an environmental services and contracting company based in Seaford, N.Y.
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