Vern Gardner
Encyclopedia
Vernon B. "Vern" Gardner (May 14, 1925 – August 26, 1987) was an American
basketball player. He was a two-time consensus All-American
at the University of Utah
and played three seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors.
Vern Gardner was a 6'5 forward/center who played at Star Valley High School
in Afton, Wyoming
and played collegiately at the University of Utah, where he was a second team consensus All-American in 1947 and 1949. Gardner led the Utes to the NIT
championship in 1947, at a time where this tournament was considered as prestigious as the NCAA Tournament
is today. Gardner was named tournament MVP
. His number 33 was retired by the University of Utah.
After the completion of his college career, Gardner was selected in the first round of the 1949 BAA Draft
by the Philadelphia Warriors. Gardner played three seasons for the Warriors, averaging 8.9 points per game over his career.
Following his retirement from the BAA
, Gardner became a high school coach and teacher, first at his alma mater Star Valley High, then at Bonneville High School in Ogden, Utah
. Gardner died of a stroke on August 26, 1987.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player. He was a two-time consensus All-American
NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans
The NCAA Men's Basketball All-American teams are honorary teams made up of those NCAA basketball players voted the best in the country by a variety of organizations.-History:...
at the University of Utah
University of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
and played three seasons with the Philadelphia Warriors.
Vern Gardner was a 6'5 forward/center who played at Star Valley High School
Star Valley High School
Star Valley High School is a high school located in rural Afton, Lincoln County, Wyoming, and one of two high schools in Lincoln County School District Number 2, along with Cokeville High School...
in Afton, Wyoming
Afton, Wyoming
Afton is a town in Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 1,818 at the 2000 census.Afton is home to the world's largest elk horn arch...
and played collegiately at the University of Utah, where he was a second team consensus All-American in 1947 and 1949. Gardner led the Utes to the NIT
National Invitation Tournament
The National Invitation Tournament is a men's college basketball tournament operated by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. There are two NIT events each season. The first, played in November and known as the Dick's Sporting Goods NIT Season Tip-Off , was founded in 1985...
championship in 1947, at a time where this tournament was considered as prestigious as the NCAA Tournament
NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship
The NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship is a single-elimination tournament held each spring in the United States, featuring 68 college basketball teams, to determine the national championship in the top tier of college basketball...
is today. Gardner was named tournament MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
. His number 33 was retired by the University of Utah.
After the completion of his college career, Gardner was selected in the first round of the 1949 BAA Draft
1949 BAA Draft
The 1949 BAA Draft was the third annual draft of the Basketball Association of America , which later became the National Basketball Association . The draft was held on March 21, 1949 before the 1949–50 season. In this draft, eleven remaining BAA teams along with the Indianapolis Olympians who...
by the Philadelphia Warriors. Gardner played three seasons for the Warriors, averaging 8.9 points per game over his career.
Following his retirement from the BAA
Basketball Association of America
The Basketball Association of America was a professional basketball league in North America, founded in 1946. The league merged with the National Basketball League in 1949, forming the National Basketball Association ...
, Gardner became a high school coach and teacher, first at his alma mater Star Valley High, then at Bonneville High School in Ogden, Utah
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
. Gardner died of a stroke on August 26, 1987.