Oliver Purnell Travels to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday

Sept. 21, 2009

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson men’s basketball coach Oliver Purnell will embark on a trip Tuesday to the nation’s capital city, Washington, D.C. Purnell will be representing Coaches vs. Cancer at a morning press conference, then serving as a guest speaker for the Capital Metro Clemson Club later that evening.

Purnell’s day will get underway with a press conference at 9:15 a.m. in the Capitol. Purnell and four other Division I coaches – Mike Brey (Notre Dame), Ed DeChellis (Penn State), Tubby Smith (Minnesota) and John Thompson III (Georgetown) – will speak with selected senators on the issue of why cancer funding is important in terms of health care reform. Following the press conference, Purnell and his fellow coaches will meet with Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services.

The Tigers’ seventh-year head coach has been active in the local community in terms of raising awareness for cancer research. On Tuesday, Oct. 6, he and his wife Vicky will host the second Tigerfest fundraiser event. Last year, the Purnells were able to raise $100,000 for Coaches vs. Cancer due to their efforts.

“Vicky and I are again looking forward to hosting our Tigerfest event in support of Coaches vs. Cancer,” Purnell said. “We are especially thankful to our top sponsors, Blue Ridge Electric Cooperative and Blue Ridge Security Systems.”

Purnell will also be a featured speaker at the 14th annual Congressional Reception for the Capital Metro Clemson Club. He will join University President James F. Barker, Student Body President Abby Daniel and Clemson’s Director of Development & Alumni Affairs Brian O’Rourke, among others, for the reception at 5:00 p.m. at the Capitol Visitor Center.