Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Dick Purdy to be inducted into KSHSAA Hall of Fame

Dick Purdy, left, reminiscing with LHS assistant coach
Chuck Holley in late August of 2006. LJWorld.
Long time Sunflower League coaching legend Dick Purdy will be inducted into the KSHSAA Hall of Fame this Friday when Lawrence hosts Olathe North.

There will be a pre-game tailgate to honor Purdy, in addition to a post-game reception.

All former players, coaches and affiliates of Purdy are encouraged to attend.

Purdy played quarterback at Baker University in the mid-1950s before graduating and becoming the head football and track coach at Chetopa High School in 1958.

He then took over the same duties at Chanute High School, and remained at Chanute until 1967 when he was hired as the head football coach at SM West.

With the Vikings he compiled a 92-44-3 record overall, including a 5A state title in 1972 and runner-up finishes in 1971, 1973 and 1976.

He left SM West in the late 1980s to become an assistant on the staff of the University of Kansas football team, under the title of head recruiting coordinator.

However, after head coach Don Fambrough and his entire staff were fired in 1983, Purdy came back to the high school ranks, taking the head coaching job at Lee's Summit High School in Missouri.

Purdy resurfaced in the Sunflower League in 1990, taking over for legendary head coach Bill Freeman at Lawrence High School.

Over the course of nine seasons at Lawrence, Purdy put together an 84-17 record, including 6A state titles in 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993 and 1995, and a runner-up finish in 1994.

All told, Purdy finished his career with a 270-138-5 record in his 41 years as a head coach at the high school level.

3 comments:

Free State Fan said...

Couldn't happen to a nicer guy... Well deserved honor. Congrats Coach Purdy!!!!!!

Sunflower football news said...

Congrats Coach!

Seth Nation said...

It should be a fun night. He has been out at practice all week sharing words of wisdom with the team. Great Coach indeed!