Gordon Purdie Jr. ’16 is a teacher, coach and mentor in the Herricks School District and co-leader of Checkmate Lacrosse. A legacy Panther and former Adelphi lacrosse standout, he empowers young athletes through coaching, innovation, and international play—continuing a family tradition of excellence in sport and education.
Member of Adelphi University’s 10 Under 10
Educator and varsity boys’ soccer coach in the Herricks School District
Gordon Purdie Jr. ’16 is a coach, educator, community builder and lifelong athlete who brings passion and purpose to everything he does—whether on the field, in the classroom or in the community. A proud Adelphi alumnus and legacy Panther, Gordon followed in the footsteps of his parents, who met at Adelphi. Raised just beyond the fence from campus, he was deeply rooted in the University’s culture and values long before officially enrolling.
Gordon chose Adelphi for its balance of academic excellence and competitive athletics. A standout lacrosse player, he embraced the opportunity to compete in a high-level program while pursuing his long-term goal of becoming an educator. During his time on campus, he served as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and credits Adelphi with teaching him resilience, leadership and the value of lifting others up.
Today, Gordon is an educator and varsity boys’ soccer coach in the Herricks School District, working closely with middle school students. He also helps lead Checkmate Lacrosse, a travel program that his father founded and which he has proudly revived. Through Checkmate, he mentors youth and high school athletes—many of whom are learning the game for the first time—instilling discipline, confidence and a love for lacrosse.
Gordon’s dedication to sport extends beyond coaching. He stays involved in the game through gear design, blending creativity and function to innovate lacrosse equipment. He also proudly represented Australia in international competition, honoring his family heritage on the world stage.
One of his proudest accomplishments is revitalizing Checkmate Lacrosse, which helps shape the next generation of athletes while carrying on a family legacy. Whether mentoring young players, coaching in his district or designing new tools of the game, Gordon brings humility, integrity and heart to his work.
His advice: “Be all in. Work hard. Say yes to new things. And remember, success often starts with showing up fully—even when the path isn’t yet clear.”