Garden City, N.Y.- When Gordon Purdie was recruited from Australia 20 years ago to play lacrosse at Adelphi University The New York Times gave the Director of Athletics, Robert E. Hartwell "The Long arm recruiting award". When it came time to hire the next men's lacrosse coach at Adelphi, Hartwell did not have to look very far. Purdie was working next door at the Waldorf School in Garden City. Purdie, a 1988 graduate of Adelphi will take the reigns of the men's lacrosse dynasty.

"We are excited to have a very successful alumnus join our staff," Hartwell said. "Gordon is well known throughout the lacrosse world due to his outstanding playing abilities. He played on some great teams and understands Adelphi's lacrosse tradition."

Purdie becomes just the sixth head coach in the 60 year history of men's lacrosse at Adelphi, replacing Sandy Kapatos who served for the past 14 seasons. "I am more excited now than I was 20 years ago [to come to Adelphi]," Purdie said. "To coach and continue the tradition, history, and excellence, this program has sustained for the last 60 years is truly an honor. I will look to continue to build upon Adelphi's great lacrosse tradition, reconnect with alumni and friends and give this great institution more national recognition."

In addition to Purdie's coaching responsibilities, he will also serve as the Athletic Department Business Manager. "His business experiences are varied and extensive. He's an entrepreneur that has found success in the business world," Hartwell said.

Purdie, a member of the Australian World Games team before arriving at Adelphi, made his mark as a two-time All-America selection. He played three years for the Panthers, helping the team to two NCAA Division I Tournament appearances. He appears in numerous Adelphi DI records, including first in single-season ground balls (109) and second in career ground balls (269). He also appears in the top ten in single season and career assists and points.

His post-collegiate career includes playing seven times for the Australian Lacrosse World team. He also played for the New York Saints (1990-99), New Jersey Storm (2002-03) and the Anaheim Storm (2004), playing in over 100 professional indoor lacrosse games. In 1994 he was named Best Midfielder at the World Games. He has twice appeared in the ILF World Championships (2003, 2007) and was inducted into the Adelphi Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

Purdie has coached at the Waldorf School in Garden City, N.Y. since 1994 and has coached numerous all-americans and academic all-americans and in 1997 was named the New York Metropolitan Lacrosse Association High School Coach of the Year.

"I feel that our student-athletes will benefit from his extensive lacrosse skill level, teaching abilities and a strong sense of lacrosse strategy. Our student-athletes will work hard but will also enjoy working for coach Purdie," Hartwell added.

Purdie currently resides with his wife Carol and son Gordon (10) in East Rockaway, New York.