Cavalier Corner is the publication just for UVa sports fans!
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Anita and Hal Purcell ('70) are part of a family that bleeds orange and blue. While Anita graduated from Old Domin- ion, nobody could be more supportive of UVa athletics. Hal, his dad, Judge Harold H. Purcell, and two sons, Brian and Lee, all graduated from UVa. In fact, Brian got three degrees and Lee took his undergraduate degree. "Anita and I are already working on indoctrinating our five grandchildren," Pur- cell said. Brian and Lee are also VAF members. Hal's introduction to UVa athletics star ted when he was 5 years old. "Mom and Dad took me to my first UVa foot- ball game in 1952," Pur- cell said. "Unfortunately, UVa had only two win- ning seasons over the next 30 years. Then came UVa's version of Bear Bry- ant — Coach [George] Welsh!" H a l e n d o w e d t h e Judge and Mrs. Harold H. Purcell Family Athletic Scholarship because of his parents' love of UVa football. "They even followed UVa to away games," Purcell said. "They particularly enjoyed the trips years ago to the UVa- Army games at West Point and taking the boat up the Hudson from New York City. "My parents stuck by Virginia football during the dark days because they believed in consistent loyalty and the student-athlete approach to all athletics. As they put it, it's easy to be loyal when you're winning. "I'd like to thank Dirk Katstra for inviting my parents in their latter years as guests to the VAF football suite," Purcell added. "It was very thoughtful and considerate." The Purcells' commitment to UVa athletics extends be- yond the Family Scholarship. They have: • Been VAF donors for 41 consecutive years. • Been football season ticket holders since the early '70s. • Contributed to the John Paul Jones Arena Capital Campaign and the George Welsh Indoor Practice Facility. • Had men's basketball season tickets for 30-plus years. Hal and Anita are also huge fans of UVa basket- ball and head coach Tony Bennett. "I attended the first game at U-Hall when Virginia played Kentucky in 1965," Purcell recalled. "C o a c h Ad o l p h R u p p thought U-Hall was very unique, but the 'Baron of Basketball' thought it was unfortunate U-Hall was 'too small.' The Baron often coached in larger venues." Hal also recalled the great strides UVa basket- ball made under coaches Bill Gibson and Terry Hol- land. They, along with Barry Parkhill and Ralph Sampson, took UVa basketball to the next level. "We've had some fits and starts since then, but I truly believe Coach Bennett can be for UVa what Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski] has been for Duke," Purcell said. Honor, work ethic and integrity were key values empha- sized by Hal's parents and reinforced at UVa. "Anita and I are extremely proud of the caliber of young men and women who represent UVa in athletics and are truly students," Purcell said. "It makes giving to VAF fulfill- ing and worthwhile." — Mike Scandura wahoo nation ANITA AND HAL PURCELL The Purcells have been VAF donors for 41 consecu- tive years. PHOTO COURTESY THE PURCELL FAMILY