Linn-Mar football teams from 80s, former coach Greg Purnell to be honored

MARION — A pair of events involving former Linn-Mar football coach Greg Purnell will be held the last weekend in August.

The school will be honoring football teams from 1981 to 1987 at Linn-Mar's 2017 season opener Friday, August 25, against Iowa City High. Players from those teams are asked to meet at 6 p.m. at the Linn-Mar Foundation Tent on the north side of Linn-Mar stadium for the ceremony, which will be conducted between the sophomore and varsity contests.

A postgame reception for the teams will be held at Louie's Bar and Grill in Marion.

The following day, August 26, fans, parents and former players are asked to help Purnell celebrate his 70th birthday by meeting at Happy Joe's Pizza near Lindale Mall at 9 a.m. for 'Donuts With the Coach.'

Purnell won three state titles as coach of the Lions: 1985, 1989 and 1990.

'One of the tough things about leaving Marion and the Cedar Rapids Metro area is that I never get a chance to see the great players and kids that I used to coach,' said Purnell, who works as a fundraiser for St. Francis School in suburban Chicago. 'I hope they all will be able to make time to come to this game. As I get older, I really appreciate all the memories I can share with these boys.'

l Comments: (319) 398-8259; jeff.johnson@thegazette.com