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People involved in high school sports inside and outside of Blair County know about Vernon Neil's success as the girls basketball coach at Central High School for 17 seasons. But people outside of the Cove, particularly the state of Pennsylvania, will find out this weekend that Neil was more than a basketball coach.
On Saturday, at the Holiday Inn in Grantsville, Neil will be inducted into the Amateur Softball Association of Pennsylvania Hall of Fame for his exploits on a field where, in Blair County, he was already recognized for his achievements in the sport.
"I was surprised, for sure, and very honored and humbled by it since it's been 23 years since I last played," Neil said.
Neil found out he was being inducted when he received an official letter from the ASA informing him of the upcoming induction ceremony. Now, he'll be joined by his wife, Donna, of 37 years, their children, Nicki and Ryan along with four grandchildren with another one arriving this July.
"Quite honestly, I was also a little embarrassed because I've been blessed with, and surrounded by, so many outstanding teammates over the years, any of whom could have been selected instead of myself," said Neil, who along with his softball teammates -- The Cobras -- were inducted into the Blair County Hall of Fame in the early 2000s.
Neil played for the Cobras from 1978-1990. In that time frame, they won more than 100 tournaments and three national titles in Long Island, New York, Bowie, Maryland and Savannah, Georgia.
"We were the first team inductee (in the Blair County HOF) in 2004," Neil remembered. "This is the first year they (ASA) started putting teams in the HOF."
When asked if he had any singular memory that stood out in his softball career, Neil didn't have to leave the Keystone state for his total recall.
"The Miller High Life Tournament in Williamsport is a very well-known softball tournament in PA," he said. "My son, Ryan, and I are the only father-son duo ever to both win Most Valuable Player (honors) at this tournament. It is something I'm really proud of."
Neil, whose wife's siblings will also be attending Saturday's event for Neil, has not played since 2001 when he was a member of another national championship team, playing with the SoJour Travel team out of New Jersey. That title was won back in 1996 in Lawton, Oklahoma.
"Throughout my softball playing career, and my high school basketball coaching career, I can attest to one truth -- you are only as good and successful as your teammates, the players you coach, and the assistant coaches you surround yourself with," Neil said. "I've been very fortunate and blessed."