All-American football and track and field javelin in the 1930s. Purvis was a native of Mattoon, Illinois, where he graduated from high school in 1931. His high school athletic honors include: Captain All-State football team, 1930; National Interscholastic Javelin Champion, 1931; and All-State Interscholastic Javelin Champion, 1931. Purvis played halfback and fullback for Purdue University, 1932-34, and was named All-American in 1933 and '34. He played in the 1935 College All-Star Game with future U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. Purvis also excelled in track at Purdue. He was the NCAA Champion in the javelin in 1933 and '34 and earned All-America status for 1932, '33 and '34. He was third in the world in the javelin in 1933, missing the U.S. record by 1/2 inch. Following graduation from Purdue in 1935, Purvis stayed at Purdue, teaching for many years in the physical education department before retiring. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1977, and the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. He was married to Dorothy Mae Evans (Sept. 1, 1911 - Jan. 25, 2007); they had a son, Michael Duane Purvis.
bio provided by THR
bio provided by THR
All-American football and track and field javelin in the 1930s. Purvis was a native of Mattoon, Illinois, where he graduated from high school in 1931. His high school athletic honors include: Captain All-State football team, 1930; National Interscholastic Javelin Champion, 1931; and All-State Interscholastic Javelin Champion, 1931. Purvis played halfback and fullback for Purdue University, 1932-34, and was named All-American in 1933 and '34. He played in the 1935 College All-Star Game with future U.S. President Gerald R. Ford. Purvis also excelled in track at Purdue. He was the NCAA Champion in the javelin in 1933 and '34 and earned All-America status for 1932, '33 and '34. He was third in the world in the javelin in 1933, missing the U.S. record by 1/2 inch. Following graduation from Purdue in 1935, Purvis stayed at Purdue, teaching for many years in the physical education department before retiring. He was inducted into the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1977, and the Purdue Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. He was married to Dorothy Mae Evans (Sept. 1, 1911 - Jan. 25, 2007); they had a son, Michael Duane Purvis.
bio provided by THR
bio provided by THR
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