Richard Ryan "Rich" Purcell

Year Inducted: 1987
Nominated By: Brian Macartney
Sports Competed In: Basketball
Athlete, Coach or Contributor: Athlete, Coach

High School:
Attended Pueblo Centennial H.S., graduating in 1967.

Achievements:
High School: 
● Played three years each of football (end: 1964-66) and basketball (1965-67).
● All-City and All-Conference selection in football.
● Made the All-Conference team as well as being named All-Tourney team in basketball by the Denver Post and Rocky Mountain News even as the Bulldogs lost in the first round of State Tournament to Thomas Jefferson 71-68.

Coaching Career:
● The first head girls basketball coach at Pueblo South H.S., a position he held for eight years (1974-81).
● Guided the team to the state tournament each year he coached and amassed a record of 129-16.
● Led the Colts First State Basketball Championship for Pueblo, Boys or Girls, since 1940 when they won the title in 1979 (Class 3A). Note: The first state tournament sanctioned by the Colorado High School Activities Association (CHSAA) was 1976.
● The 1976 team posted a 20-2 record.
● The road to the championship: Pueblo South beat Ft. Collins 76-58 in the first round, topped Aurora Central, 78-66 in the second round and defeated Canon City, 68-53 for the state title...Canon City went 23-3 with two losses to the Colts...Members of Pueblo South's championship team were: Laura Snider, Sharla Dix, Kelly Mena, Debbie Higdon, Robin Rice, Claire DeLuca, Becky Golob, Melody Burns, Tish Bennett, Kathy Blakeley, Kerry Ballotti and Kristi Burns.
● Under his guidance, the Colts won the South Central League seven years in a row...Purcell was know for his full court Press which was South’s trade mark from start to finish.
● Also ran numerous basketball camps and clinics.

Quotes:
"Rich Purcell was the second coming of Napoleon"
-- Dave Socier, The Pueblo Chieftain

Occupation:
Teacher and coach in School District #60 at Pueblo South H.S.

Personal:
Lives in Pueblo.