by David Brox, davidbrox@shukc.com
I am about to get a few things done for Friday's broadcast but wanted to take a moment to write my thoughts on Vernon. I made a comment at the award ceremony that I will repeat again and again. For anyone that appreciates the work I do with highlights or any of my efforts for KCK Preps you can thank Vernon. I truly put my heart into this because of my desire to see this day come for him. His hard work and dedication truly paid off.
Vernon's dedication is unquestioned but I must pause for just a moment and recognize Debra and Vernon Vaugn Sr. His parents have supported VJ from the word go when it comes to his athletics and obviously in his life. The library of camcorder tapes without doubt are extensive and I remember my first challenge of getting his footage off of those tapes. It was an adventure to say the least but my point is Vernon had the love and support from both of his parents and quite honestly that is a big advantage.
I tell everyone this and it hits home more and more. Vernon was born the year I graduated from high school and I have always been active with my nieces, nephews and younger cousins. Vernon at one point called me Uncle David.
There was however one Thanksgiving day game of football that sticks out to me. Uncle David was starting to get beat deep on go routes. The first few times this happened I shrugged it off and decided to put an end to it but I quickly found out that this took a little bit of work. Needless to say it raised an eyebrow.
Vernon's first love was however basketball and I again would support anything my younger family members focused on. It is where I started breaking down film. I have videos of him as a freshman breaking down his free throw form and we obviously would discuss all kinds of things. He had a strong family of athletes who all passed along nuggets on and off the court.
Nick mentioned earlier about him giving up football and focusing on basketball his sophomore year. He was playing out of position at QB and this is where fate shines through the first time for Vernon. Armand Brisbane's brilliance starting his junior year and coach Todd Wassman's decision to put VJ at receiver leads us to where we are today.
I remember coming to the Wyandotte game in 2010 and having to pick up my jaw from the ground because Vernon looked like a natual on the field. Dragging defenders and catching any and everything thrown his way. So to me the numbers he put up in 2010 were just a foot note to the fact he looked like a man amongst boys on the football field.
Sumner's win at Basehor-Linwood in 2010 was the capper and was the beginning of when I wanted to start gathering film of what he was doing. The next week against Baldwin I took a different approach to filming and focused just on him and it turned out awesome. I never shared the clip but there is a play that I say before the play "all they have to do is run Vernon right into that small safety" and sure enough he did it.
Respect to Ryan Murphy who is a very good receiver but I remember sitting with Vernon at City Fish going nuts about how he was left off an award list for receivers as we watched Metro Sports with no sound. The no sound part was key because the guys on Metro Sports were saying the same thing I was. 17 TD's is sick and to be left off the list of candidates gave me the feeling he simply was not getting the exposure.
We worked hard to change that. His Aunt TShanna who was extremely supportive and was my partner in crime in marketing Vernon. This same type of philosophy is what I have worked to do for other athletes which signed today as well. Marcus Allen, Stevie Williams, Marlon Mitchell (Blue Valley Northwest), Johnathan Jackson and Major Jackson all signed today and all worked with me on highlights. I am beyond proud of each of them and look forward to the underclassmen I am working with now.
J'veyon Browning, DeAnte Ambler, Stephan McIntosh and Jordan Jackson are on my list to push forward for 2013 and 2014. I am hell bent on getting D1 schools looking at KCK and one way or another that is going to happen. So I am thrilled to see talent get the JUCO offers but we need to build a D1 channel as a community.
I am going to close out by saying one more thing as I am not a fan of long articles. Vernon verbally committed to KState long before the football season started and there was some feedback associated with that. "You jumped the gun" or "Why wouldn't you wait for other offers?". Some even thought I pushed Vernon in this direction but I want any and everyone to know that his decision was just that. His. It was a decision he told me he prayed and acted on. I think it is clear that fate and god in this situation has spoken loud and clear. He made that committment and KState kept theres by honoring the offer they made despite his injury.
I don't cry often as a man of 35 years but I wept that night against Schlagle. As my thoughts immediately went to worst case scenerio. Fate however prevailed today and the tears are now of joy.
Minus that verbal I don't believe I am writing this article rather about another KCK tragic ending.
You can do what ever you put your heart into except when you try to hold your baseball bat with your arms crossed Vernon. :)
Here is to my cousin. Vernon "Rippin Lips" Vaughn which is his fishing lake name.
You are the start of the revolution I have planned for KCK high school sports.
Commentary: Vernon Vaughn
