In Memoriam: Verne Canfield, former head men’s basketball coach and associate professor of physical education Canfield coached the men’s basketball team for 31 years and was one of the most accomplished coaches in Washington and Lee University history.
Vernell Dean “Verne” Canfield, retired head men’s basketball coach and associate professor of physical education at Washington and Lee University, died Sunday, Oct. 18. He was 93.
Canfield was born June 18, 1933, in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Glen and Blanche Canfield and grew up in southern California. He played basketball at the University of California, Santa Barbara while earning his bachelor’s degree in physical education before serving in the U.S. Army. He was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, and served in the Honor Guard. He married Barbara “Bobbie” Hansbrough after meeting in Arlington, Virginia.
He earned his master’s degree in secondary education from George Washington University and went on to teach and coach at Groveton High School in Alexandria, Virginia, before he answered a newspaper ad for the head men’s basketball coaching position at Washington and Lee.
Canfield joined the W&L staff in 1964 as head men’s basketball, head men’s tennis coach and associate professor of physical education. Over the next three decades, he transformed the men’s basketball program into a consistent conference contender, compiling a 460-337 overall record, capturing nine conference championships and guiding the Generals to four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
Among his most successful teams was the 1976-77 squad, which established a then-school record with 23 victories, finishing 23-5 overall and earning a No. 4 national ranking. Under Canfield’s leadership, the Generals claimed five College Athletic Conference (CAC) championships, one Virginia College Athletic Association (VCAA) title and three Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championships.
Throughout his coaching career, Canfield mentored 26 First Team All-Conference selections and six All-Americans. His accomplishments earned him VCAA Division III Coach of the Year honors in 1976, along with ODAC and NCAA Division III Regional Coach of the Year recognition on three occasions each. He was inducted into the Washington and Lee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010.
In addition to his success on the basketball court, Canfield guided the Generals’ men’s tennis program for six seasons, compiling a 44-19 overall record.
His contributions to collegiate athletics extended beyond Washington and Lee. A former member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Congress, Canfield received the organization’s Award of Merit and Award of Honor in recognition of his service to the profession.
Beyond his collegiate coaching accomplishments, Canfield remained dedicated to teaching and developing young athletes. He founded the Canfield Basketball Camps and continued coaching following his retirement, including at Grace Christian Church, in Staunton, Virginia. His commitment to mentoring players and fostering relationships through basketball remained a defining part of his life.
Canfield married Frances Cline Canfield in 1989, and the couple made their home on a farm in Verona, Virginia. Outside of basketball, he remained devoted to his faith, family, physical fitness and the many friendships he developed throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, Frances Cline Canfield; his children, Sheri Canfield Schoenebeck (Dennis), of Green Bay, Wisconsin, Ron Canfield (Dana) of Cross Junction, Virginia, Lori Canfield Glass (Jim) of Mechanicsville, Virginia, and Robert Canfield of Lexington, Virginia; his wife’s children, Carl Cline (Sharon), Alice Harlow (David), Matt Cline, Andy Cline (Penny) and Jason Cline (April); numerous grandchildren; and his sister, Eileen Canfield of California. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Sharon Hamilton.
A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at Fairfield Cemetery, 5310 Lee Highway, Fairfield, Virginia. A reception will follow at the Fairfield United Methodist Senior Center, 5622 Lee Highway, Fairfield.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Canfield Endowment at Washington and Lee University.
Read Canfield’s full obituary.
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