Carl Vernick, Syracuse basketball teammate of Dave Bing and Jim Boeheim, dies at age 80

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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