Purpura enters his third season as the head coach of the Arcadia men’s lacrosse program after being named the fourth head coach of the Knights in November of 2018.
Purpura's second season was cut short due to the MAC's cancellation of spring sports on March 16, 2020, but the Knights got off to a torrid start with five wins in their first seven games - three of which they scored 20 or more goals. Purpura led the Knights to a 3-1 record on Jean Lenox West Field, and oversaw senior Clo Muscara net a MAC Commonwealth-leading 35 goals before the season came to an abrupt end.
In his first season in Glenside, Purpura led the Knights to their most successful season in program history. The Scarlet & Grey had a program-record nine wins and made their first conference playoff appearance in program history. For his efforts, Purpura was named the 2019 MAC Commonwealth Coach of the Year.
Arcadia also set a majority of school single-season records including goals, points, assists, ground balls, caused turnovers, man-up goals, faceoff win percentage and save percentage. Four Knights were named to the all-conference team, the most selections in program history led by Josh Keitz, who was the first Knight to be named a first team all-conference selection. Keitz also became the first Knight to be named to the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association (IMCLA) All-Region team. In addition to the Knights on the field success, the program also earned the highest GPA in program history and the Knights led the entire MAC Conference with the 67% of the team being named to the MAC Conference Honor Roll.
Prior to Arcadia, Purpura served as the offensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Division I Virginia Military Institute (VMI) for two and a half seasons. Under Purpura’s guidance, the Keydets improved in nearly every statistical category. In two seasons, Purpura helped coach and develop four All-SoCon selections and 1 Major League Lacrosse (MLL) player.
Purpura arrived at VMI after serving as the offensive and recruiting coordinator at Division II Queens University of Charlotte in 2016. Under his leadership, the Royals’ offense broke the school record for most goals scored in a season. The Royals also finished with the second-most wins in program history (11), made a SAC Conference Championship appearance, and were ranked as high as No. 12 in the country. In one season, Purpura helped coach and develop six All-SAC selections, including both the SAC Player of the Year and SAC Scholar-Athlete of the year, as well as two MLL players.
Prior to arriving at Queens, Purpura was a graduate assistant at Frostburg State during the 2015 season. Purpura helped lead a fifth-year program to their first national ranking in program history, ranking as high as No. 17 in the nation. The Bobcats finished with the most wins in program history with a 16-3 record and made their first CAC Conference Championship appearance. Purpura assisted with a defense that gave up the fewest goals allowed per game in program history (6.16), which finished sixth in the nation. Purpura helped coach and develop eight All-CAC selections and the program’s first three USILA All-Americans.
Purpura began his collegiate coaching career as the offensive coordinator at SUNY Brockport during the 2014 season where he improved goals scored per game, shooting percentage, and the extra man offense. While with the Golden Eagles, Purpura was named an assistant coach at the 2014 USILA Division III North/South Senior All-Star Game. Purpura helped coach and develop three All-SUNYAC selections and the program's first USILA Scholar All-American.
During his five seasons as an assistant coach, Purpura coached 21 all-conference selections, 4 All-Americans and 3 MLL players. Purpura also coached Sweetlax for four years where he helped develop and mentor players who would go on and become Division I All-Americans.
The Pittsford, N.Y., native began his collegiate career at Mount Saint Mary's before transferring to SUNY Geneseo. While at Geneseo, Purpura helped the Knights reach as high as No. 12 in the nation. Geneseo also made consecutive SUNYAC playoff appearances, including a SUNYAC championship appearance.
Purpura graduated from SUNY Geneseo in 2013 with a B.A. in Sociology with a minor in Geography. Purpura then earned a M.Ed. in Interdisciplinary Studies from Frostburg State in 2015.
Purpura and his wife, Leah, reside in Blue Bell.
5/19/20
