Vernick opts for SRU
BUTLER TWP — Butler senior linebacker Bob Vernick has verbally committed to continue his academic and football career at Slippery Rock University.
The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Vernick will accept a partial scholarship on national letter-of-intent day Feb. 6.
“This was an opportunity I didn't want to pass up,” Vernick said. “Slippery Rock is a good fit for me and they made me an offer ... I didn't want to have to try walking on somewhere else.”
Vernick also considered Liberty (Va.), Bucknell, Grove City and Washington & Jefferson before deciding on SRU.
Carrying a 4.1 grade point average, he plans to major in the pre-health field, either in biology or physical therapy.
“I know Slippery Rock likes to recruit high-character type kids,” Butler coach Clyde Conti said. “They've got one in Bobby Vernick.
“(SRU football coach) George Mihalik refers to him as a blue-collar type and that's what he is. He has a tremendous work ethic.”
Vernick had 101 tackles — including 58 solo stops — as an outside linebacker with the Golden Tornado this past season. He had four tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.
Vernick had more than twice as many tackles as any other player on the Butler roster. Fellow linebackers Lucas Dubyak and Jeremy Hanford had 48 and 42, respectively.
“Both of those kids are sophomores and they flanked Bobby on the field,” Conti said. “They learned a lot from him. Bobby's a quiet kid who led by example.”
Vernick made first team all-conference this season, but said he's most proud of helping the Tornado reach the WPIAL playoffs.
“I feel like I was a strong leader and we did a lot for the community,” he said.His father, also named Bob, played football at Clarion University during the 1980's. Conti was an assistant coach with the Golden Eagles at the time.“You can see similarities between the two on the field,” Conti said.“Maybe I'll get a chance to beat my dad's old team,” Vernick joked.Vernick plans to graduate from SRU in four years and hopes to get on the field at The Rock right away.“The coaches told me I'll have a chance to contribute on special teams, but I have to earn that time,” Vernick said. “The ultimate goal is to start at linebacker, of course, but I know that's difficult to do as a freshman when you're competing with guys who have already been in the program.”Butler linebackers coach Jeff Wagner suggested the Tornado move Vernick to outside linebacker for his senior season. He had been playing on the inside.“Bobby excelled out there,” Conti said. “He can really run. But he'll be a freshman next year, starting over. I don't count him out of anything. I know how badly he wants to play.“Slippery Rock was the only Division II team to really show interest. I'm a little surprised at that, but not disappointed. You can only take one girl to the prom. All he needed was one school to be interested to show what he can do.”Vernick's long-range goals at The Rock include making all-conference and competing in the Division II playoffs.“Coach Wagner stuck with us and gave me good advice throughout the season,” Vernick said of his senior year. “He's a good coach. Now I'm going to another good program.”SRU was 6-5 last season with only eight seniors on the roster. The Rock played in the PSAC championship game in 2011.
