LEXINGTON, Va. — Washington and Lee University Athletics mourns the passing of longtime men's basketball coach and Athletics Hall of Fame member Verne Canfield, who died Sunday, Oct. 18, at the age of 93. Canfield guided the Generals for 31 seasons from 1964-95, compiling 460 victories, nine conference championships and four NCAA Division III Tournament appearances.
A 2010 inductee into the Washington and Lee Athletics Hall of Fame, Canfield arrived at W&L in 1964 as head coach of both the men's basketball and men's tennis programs. He inherited a basketball program that had endured seven consecutive losing seasons and guided the Generals to a 20-win campaign in just his third year. That season marked the first of 22 winning campaigns during his tenure, which concluded with a 460-337 overall record that ranked among the highest win totals in NCAA Division III history at the time.
Under Canfield's leadership, Washington and Lee recorded five 20-win seasons, highlighted by the 1976-77 squad that established a then-school record with 23 victories. The Generals finished that season 23-5 overall and ranked fourth nationally. His teams captured 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. He was named the VCAA Division III Coach of the Year in 1976 and earned ODAC and NCAA Division III Regional Coach of the Year honors on three occasions each.
In addition to his success on the basketball court, Canfield served as head coach of the Generals' men's tennis program for six seasons, compiling a 44-19 overall record.
Canfield's contributions to collegiate athletics extended beyond the university. A former member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Congress, he received the organization's Award of Merit and Award of Honor. He was also presented with the Ring-tum Phi Award for his service to Washington and Lee following his first winning basketball season in 1967.
His contributions to Washington and Lee Athletics were formally recognized in 2010 with his induction into the university's Athletics Hall of Fame.
Following his retirement, Canfield remained involved in basketball through the Canfield Basketball Camps. His commitment to teaching the game and mentoring young athletes extended well beyond his collegiate coaching career.
Born June 18, 1933, in Mitchell, S.D., Canfield grew up in California and played collegiate basketball at the University of California, Santa Barbara. He later served in the U.S. Army Honor Guard at Fort Myer before earning a master's degree from George Washington University and beginning his career in education and coaching.
Canfield is survived by his wife, Fran who resides in Verona, Va.; his children, Sheri, Ron, Lori and Rob; Fran's children, Carl, Alice, Matt, Andy and Jason; numerous grandchildren; and his sister, Eileen.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Canfield Endowment at Washington and Lee University. Those interested in contributing may contact Washington and Lee head men's basketball coach Chris McHugh at mchughc@wlu.edu for additional information.
