The late Bennie Purcell, a sports icon in Murray State history, is this year’s Ralph Beard Lifetime Achievement Award recipient.
Purcell’s son and MSU tennis coach Mel accepted on his behalf at a ceremony Tuesday.
Purcell, who died last month at 86, first made a name for himself as an All-American basketball player at Murray State.
After his college years, he toured with the Harlem Globetrotters as a member of the Washington Generals then returned to the university to coach tennis.
According to Racer Athletics, the award recognizes greatness both in sport and other walks of life.
The man known as Mr. Murray State joins other recipients including former University of Kentucky basketball star Jack Givens and most recently, Darel Carrier of WKU.
Purcell was a six-time hall of fame selection including:
- National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) (1969)
- Murray State Athletics (1969)
- Ohio Valley Conference (1990)
- Kentucky USTA (1994)
- Intercollegiate Tennis Association (1999)
- Mount Vernon High School (2011)
