Virgil graduated from Rice Lake High School in 1961. He was a two year letter winner in basketball for the 1959-60 Warriors (21-4) that placed 4th in the WIAA State Tournament, and was the starting point guard for the 1960-61 Warriors (24-1) that were runners-up to the #2 ranked Milwaukee Lincoln Comets in a 77-75 overtime thriller in the WIAA State Tournament finals. Virgil had his finest game on the big stage in the semi-finals against the #1 ranked Waukesha Blackshirts (25-1) as he poured through 12 points in a big 82-73 win for the #4 ranked “Boys From Up North” aka “woodpecker Point”. For the season, Virgil averaged 6.5 points per game and led the team in assists to his front line teammates Hugdahl, Mullikin, Shudlick, Shervey and Schwers. Virgil also played third base on the 1961 Warrior baseball team and the first RL baseball team to play in the state tournament. After high school Virgil was a basketball official in the Ho’N, Big Rivers and Lakeland conferences. He also played basketball at the city team level, and softball. In 1972, Virgil was instrumental in organizing the Washburn County Church Softball League, which is still active today. In 1995, the City of Shell Lake presented him with the Citizen of the Year Award. Virgil has been a pastor at the Full Gospel Church in Shell Lake since 1969 where he continues to encourage and inspire athletes from the surrounding area. He and his wife Linda currently reside in Sarona on Lake Ripley.