GETTYSBURG — Gettysburg and surrounding towns are rallying around a pillar of the Potter County community.

Long-time Potter County High School football coach and athletic director, Vern Smith, was recently diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Smith was diagnosed before Potter County’s homecoming game on Sept. 15, sending shockwaves throughout the area.  

“We were all kind of shocked,” Hoven High School Athletic Director Jonie Abler said. “The boys took it really hard. The football team. The coaching staff. Everybody just knew that they would have to cling onto each other and try to find a way to navigate this. But he wanted to make it to the game and he did.”

Smith, a lynchpin at the Gettysburg High School for more than 30 years, has taken a leave of absence from his coaching and athletic director duties. He’s currently undergoing chemotherapy treatments. 

Potter County, a Gettysburg and Hoven co-op, has felt his absence on and off the field. 

“I think everyone is really noticing the amount of work and effort he put into our co-op, our sports and our students,” Abler said. “You never really know what lies behind somebody’s job duties until they are not there to do them.”

Potter County coach Vern Smith hugs his players after their homecoming game earlier this season. (Courtesy photo)

Abler and other administrators have shouldered Smith’s workload. Keith Scott and Kyle Kusser are sharing head coaching football duties. 

But it’s not the same without Vern, and his roll-your-sleeves up work ethic, calming demeanor and infectious smile. 

“We are all just doing what we can to keep things afloat,” Abler said. “But he poured endless hours in. He was not only the football coach. But he was getting the field ready for Friday night as well. He took pride in absolutely everything. He liked having his hands on as much as possible, which consumed his time, but he loved that. That’s where his heart was.”

As a result, Gettysburg, Hoven and surrounding communities are showing their heart for Smith. At the homecoming game, Potter County raised more than $32,000 (aided by two local donors) through free will donations for Smith’s medical expenses.