Joe Purpura Making Alabama a Deeper Program
10/29/2008 12:00:00 AM
Oct. 29, 2008
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Junior Joe Purpura is a transfer from Virginia Intermont College where he was a member of the 2006 NAIA National Championship cross country team. He also qualified for NAIA Indoor National Track and Field Championships in the 5,000 meters.
Before his sophomore year, Purpura enrolled at The University of Alabama and joined the cross country team. Purpura is at Alabama for business as well as running. He sees running with Kenyans and knowing cross country coach Joe Walker as an opportunity while it will also help him become a better runner. Purpura wants to be a sports agent and represent runners in the future.
"Coach Walker knows every manager possible and has helped me tremendously," Purpura said. "Without him I would be lost, so I owe him for everything. Being around the Kenyans has helped me greatly too. They have introduced me to many athletes I would have never gotten the chance to meet."
Purpura did help the team too though just as they helped him. As a sophomore, he helped the team make it to the 2007 NCAA Championships after winning the team title at the NCAA South Region Championships. At the NCAA Championships in Terre Haute, Ind., Purpura ran for the Crimson Tide against athletes that will one day be Olympians and are Olympians. The Tide finished in sixth place; the best finish in school history.
"My favorite race would have to be last year's cross country nationals in Terre Haute, Indiana," Purpura said. "It was awesome to be lining up against people I looked up to in high school and even college."
Purpura has had to battle injuries, however, most of his running career. His main goal in 2008 is to stay healthy so he can reach his long term goals. Other than helping the team as much as he can to improve on last year's finish at the NCAA Championships, Purpura just wants to be healthy enough to run period because he understands being able to run is an opportunity.
"I have taken being able to run for granted many times," Purpura said. "You don't realize how much you miss it until you get injured."
Purpura looks up to Olympic runner Dathan Ritzenhein because of the similarities between himself and Ritzenhein. Ritzenhein has had injury problems in the past but was always able to overcome the injuries and do great things in the sport of running.
Purpura actually started running in the seventh grade because he heard that cross country runners jumped over logs and ran through rivers. He still has not done those things during a race but he is still running.
