Charles Purdue '70

Four letters as a defensive tackle in football and four more “G”s as a heavyweight wrestler highlighted Charlie Purdue’s athletic résumé upon graduation in 1970.

A product of East Pennsboro High School in Enola, Pa., Charlie posted 9-1 and 9-2 mat records in his first two seasons before going undefeated in his last two seasons. 

He notched 10 wins and two ties as a junior before opening his senior year at 6-0. An ankle injury suffered while practicing takedowns ended his stellar career, which often featured bouts against the region’s top scholarship-level grapplers.

While working with coach Joe Kopnisky all four years, Charlie concluded his collegiate career with program records for career wins (34) and the highest individual winning percentage (.897).

On the football field, Purdue worked his way to the starting lineup during Grove City’s 1966 undefeated season.  He became a fixture on the defensive line over the next three years and earned the team’s Defensive Player of the Year award in 1969.

The local chapter of Omicron Delta Kappa nominated Purdue for its 1970 Sportsman of the Year award. At commencement, he received his bachelor’s degree in economics. 

He worked for Tyco International for 22 years and coached community sports teams in baseball, basketball and football in the Harrisburg, Pa. area before relocating to Virginia in 2005.