For 20-plus years there had been a familiar face and a thundering voice strolling the sidelines of Suffolk Steelers games. Vernon Bradley, known as “Buck” or Coach V to many, will be honored this Saturday during the Suffolk Steelers Homecoming Celebration. The day has been titled “Coach V Day” in his honor.

Vernon Bradley, along with David Baker and Al Holland and the late Johnnie Edwards Sr., took on a task of working with inner city youth in the downtown area of Suffolk.

Those individuals and a list of volunteers that includes past and present board members, cheer and football coaches, players, cheerleaders, cooks, team moms and more have established a well-known and winning program through Suffolk Inner City Youth Athletics Inc.

It was normal every Saturday to see Vernon Bradley and his wife, Rhonda Bradley, at the concession area or around the field, serving in some capacity at the complex behind John F. Kennedy Middle School. He coached life skills on and off the field up until he became ill and died.

The public is invited to join the family and friends of the late Coach V as they celebrate his life and legacy at the John F. Kennedy football field this Saturday at noon.