Accomplishments: Posted a 313-166-4 record as head coach of the Cardinal baseball program from 1981 to 1993, setting the school record for victories and winning percentage (.653); coached the team to four conference championships and four appearances in the NCAA Division III regional tournament; team set school record for wins with 31 while advancing to the 1987 NCAA Division III World Series for the first and only time in school history; North Central College’s annual alumni baseball game was renamed the Tom Purcell Classic in 2004.
Tom Purcell ’74 coached North Central College baseball for 13 seasons from 1981 to 1993. During his tenure as Cardinals skipper, he posted a 313-166-4 record, won four conference championships and reached the NCAA Division III regional tournament four times (1985, 1986, 1987 and 1991). Purcell also was assistant coach and defensive coordinator for the football team from 1976 to 1985.
The 1987 Cardinals stand as the only baseball team in school history to reach the Division III College World Series. Purcell’s squad rebounded from a 3-4 start to capture a then school-record 31 victories and advance to collegiate baseball’s pinnacle event.
Purcell coached nine NCAA Division III All-Americans, two College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-Americans, five College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) Most Outstanding Players and 64 CCIW All-Conference players. Purcell also coached the greatest hitter in North Central history, 1988 NCAA Division III Player of the Year, Ken Ritter ’88. Under Purcell’s tutelage, Ritter, a 2004 North Central College Hall of Fame inductee, went on to sign a professional contract with major league baseball’s Oakland Athletics.
Purcell holds the record for most career victories (313) and the highest winning percentage of any Cardinal baseball coach in school history (.653).
Purcell came to North Central College from Chicago’s Mendel Catholic High School, where he was captain of the football team. In his gridiron playing days, Purcell was a four-year starter for the Cardinals and in 1974 was named the team’s Most Valuable Player as a captain and defensive back. He was also CCIW All-Conference as a defensive back in 1973.
Purcell graduated in 1974 with a degree in physical education, economics and business administration. He earned a master’s degree in physical science at George Williams College in 1979 and was named an assistant professor of physical education in 1980 at North Central College.
Purcell passed away in 2001 at age 49, survived by his wife, Sharon, daughter, Terri, and son, Tommy. Since 2004, the College has honored Purcell every fall as Cardinal baseball hosts the Tom Purcell Classic Alumni Game.
