In the spring of 1962, an anonymous parent donated what would become the most important
piece of brass on campus: Williston’s victory bell.
The father of a student who attended many sports games was impressed by a senior on his sons
team. Chuck Vernon class of 1962 impressed this father and many others with his ability to lead
his teams through their ups and downs. He showed good sportsmanship and always played fair
while he lead his hockey and lacrosse teams as captain. To thank Chuck for his incredible
attributes the father anonymously had a solid brass victory bell made in Aarle-Rixtel Holland
with this inscription: “The Williston Victory Bell dedicated to (‘harles D. Vernon 62 who proved
sportsmanship is the true victory.”
The victory bell was located on the lawn between Ford hall and the gymnasium. It is supported by a
metal frame that was also donated anonymously. That year the members of the varsity football
team dug the hole that was needed for the supports. Since then, the bell has been moved to the
hill going down to the dinning commons.
It is always fun to watch the first athlete come running off the bus to ring the bell or come
running from the gym. The bell is to be rung for all team victories, ranging from the varsity level teams all
the way down to thirds, and for any victory won on an away field. The ringing of the bell carries
itself across campus and into town every Wednesday and Saturday, game days for Williston
athletes.
When asked what it was like to have the bell named after him Mr. Vernon said, “it was very nice
to have something permanent named after you. You could say I was flattered by it all.” Mr.
Vernon was in college at the time the bell was dedicated to him. He has said that he felt there
were many other people who deserved something like having a bell being dedicated to them, as
much or more than him.
Mr. Vernon has since rung the bell with his friends but many many years after it was dedicated to
the school. At his 25th reunion, Mr. Vernon and his wife were coming out of Ford Hall with a
few other couples. They had just eaten and were taking a walk around campus when they saw an
admissions tour being given. The tour had stopped by the victory bell while the student talked
about it. Intrigued, the group went over to listen and heard the tour guide say, “And Mr. Vernon
is buried under the concrete under his memorial bell.” Mrs. Vernon and the rest of the group had
a good laugh because of that.
Mr. Vernon refers to himself as a faculty brat.’ His mother was the nurse at the time so he lived
in the infirmary until he started boarding in eighth grade. At the time Williston offered “Junior
School” that ranged from 5-6th grade but has since been closed. Mr. Vernon attended Williston for
eight years, fifth grade up until twelfth grade. lic lived in many diflerent dorms that still exist
today, Clare House, Sawyer House, Mem Dorm for two years and finally Ford Hall.
When asked if Williston had any impact on him he said, “Williston had a huge impact on me, the
people were just great. I have worked at Loomis Chaffee for almost 40 years hut Williston has
had more to do with who I am than any other place.”

Back then, Mr. Vernon probably had no idea how much of an impact he would have on Williston and their athletes. Even though he has left Williston Mr. Vernon is still very proud he went here,he tells people that he would go here again, Williston has affected him that much. Since the spring of 1962 the bell has been rung numerous times. It is a symbol of unity and tradition in this community. Every tour given to a prospective student stops at the victory bell and hears about the many facts and rituals about it. A past faculty member said, “Already a tradition, we are sure that it will be rung joyfully many times in the future.” Not knowing how much of a tradition it would become, the bell sits on the hill and is rung every game day by Williston athletes.