 While at Old Dominion, Purnell enjoyed a highly successful playing career, finishing 18th on ODU's all-time scoring list with 1,090 points and leading the Monarchs to the 1975 NCAA Division II national championship.That year, Purnell was selected by Converse as an honorable mention Division II All-American.Purnell averaged 14.4 points a game his senior year and 13.8 as a junior.