The late Vernon Conrad, known to his friends as “Vern,” graduated from Bluffton in 1928 with a major in economics. He was a four-year letterman in football and track.

Speaking about Conrad’s football accomplishments, Coach A.C. Burcky said “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 track, Conrad ran the 100- and 220-yard dashes and was the mile relay anchor man. “To balance out his day, he would high jump and broad jump,” Burcky added. “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.”