Hall of Fame
Prior to joining the staff of the NCCAA as Director of Member Relations, Vern Howard served as Athletics Director and coach of various sports at Simpson University. He served as NCCAA West Region Chair and as Tournament Director of the Division II Women’s Volleyball Championship. He was elected to the NCCAA Board of Directors in 1996 as 2nd Vice President and would have served as President had he not accepted the position with the National Office in March of 2000. The admiration and support shown by his peers who had elected him would be further confirmed as Vern served the association in his new position. With the primary goal of improving and enhancing communication between the office and member institutions, Vern began to develop and mentor regional and national leadership. Today, the National Administration Committee (NAC) is a result of that effort and serves together as a group to further growth and improvement at all levels of NCCAA competition. From his days in Wadsworth, Ohio, to Asbury College, and even into the jungles of Ecuador, Vern has simply been known as a man who serves. Along with his wife, Bevan, they still serve in their church, in their community and any NCCAA event they find time to get to when Vern is not on the road. Educator, mentor, counselor, prayer warrior, confidant, and friend are the words used to describe Vern by the many folks impacted by his life of service through the NCCAA. However. Everyone who has been served by and blessed to know and work with Vern Howard can shout in unison the words of Paul: “We always thank God for you, mentioning you in our prayer. We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, you labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Thessalonians 1:2-3 NIV)