Officials
Vernal Turner
Year Inducted: 2021
Category: Officials
Schools / Organizations:
IHSA
NCAA
Biography:
Before becoming an outstanding basketball official, Vernal was a top player and coach. He played his prep basketball for (Chicago) Providence St. Mel High School in the Chicago Prep Conference where he earned all conference and 1st team All-State selections in 1981. He later returned to his alma mater and was the Head Boys’ Coach there from 1989-1993. He also coached an AAU team (Chicago Select) from 2003-2009.
He became the 1st person to have played in the IBCA All-Star Game 1981, officiated the IBCA All-Star Game 2016, and inducted into the IBCA Hall of Fame in 2021.
At the time of his induction, Vernal has spent 21 years as a Licensed Basketball Official (IHSA).
His Present Associations include: M.O.A C.O.A. International Pro-Am Nike, Nike Pro-Am Assigner, Adidas Nation Assigner, and D-League Officials Camp 2010.
Vernal has officiated (7)Chicago Boys’ City Championship Games, and (1) Chicago Catholic League Championship Boys’ Game.
For the IHSA in 2013 Vernal was chosen as a Class 3-A State Final Official. In 2014 he was chosen as a Class 4-A State Final Official. In 2019 he was chosen as a Class 3-A/4-A State Final Official.
He currently officiates the Northern Athletic Conference (12th Season), CCIW, CCAC, Milwaukee Bucks Officials Training Camp and fan appreciation game (8th Season), Chicago Bulls Officials Training Camp (8th Season).
Vernal is the President of Top Notch Officiating Camp for Officials Training and Development.
He is a supervisor for the Chicago Prep Conference for Officials.
In 2012 he was inducted to the Basketball Athletic Hall of Fame at Culver-Stockton College.
Other honors and assignments include:
2015 IHSA State Clinician
2016 Officiated McDonald All-American Game
2019 Court side Administrator for the NBA (Replay Center)
2021 Inducted into the Illinois High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame
2021 Sports Citizen of the Year. (Daily-Journal)
2022 Officiated and assigned the (Michael Jordan Brand Classic Game)
Vernal Turner is truly one of the finest officials in Illinois basketball history.
