Lamar University Athletics

Dr. Ray Purkerson was a four-year letter winner for the Lamar football team from 1950 through 1953, which were Lamar’s first years competing as a four-year institution.

He was the school’s only two-way starter for four years, playing offensive guard and defensive end.

A team captain in 1953, Purkerson was the first player recruited by legendary Lamar coach and administrator J.B. Higgins.

After graduation, Purkerson served with the U.S. Marines, achieving the rank of captain. He joined former teammate and fellow Hall of Honor inductee Bob Frederick at Port Acres High School as an assistant football coach upon completion of his active duty.

Purkerson served as the University Interscholastic League Region I director for 20 years while he was a professor at Texas Tech University. When he retired from Texas Tech in 1991, the university named him professor emeritus. He remained actively involved in the Cardinal Hall of Honor, serving several terms on the council and nominating committee.