Burrell ’81 Recounts Milestones at 2019 Florida Sig Luncheon

Marco Island Yacht club

The 2019 Sigma Chi Alumni luncheon was held at the Marco Island Yacht Club.

This year’s annual Purdue Sigma Chi Alumni luncheon was again a great success even with attendance being slightly less due to a cancelled flight and some schedule conflicts.

The luncheon was held at the Marco Island Yacht Club on February 23rd and those in attendance had a chance to visit with old friends and enjoy a nice meal along with some great weather.

Attendees included Joe McCabe, Dick Hall and Mary Jo, Bill and Sally Canfield, Bob and Shirley Puzey, Bob and D’Arcy Elsperman, Bill Frey, Bernie and Mary Sergesketter and Bart and Nancy Burrell.

Bart Burrell speaking

Bart Burrell ’81

Bart Burrell Guest Speaker

Bart Burrell ’81 was our special guest speaker.  Bart spoke about winning the Indiana High School State basketball championship in 1977, his days at Purdue catching passes from Mark Herrmann ‘81, his experiences as Delta Delta’s House Corporation President and also about his battle with bone marrow cancer when he was forty years old.  Bernie Sergesketter ’58 stated, “It was a very inspirational talk and we greatly appreciated Bart, and his wife, Nancy, joining us and sharing his personal story.”

Even though the group was smaller than in previous years, everyone had a wonderful time.  At the end of the luncheon everyone, including the Sweethearts, went around the room and had cogent comments that were enjoyed by all.

You can get a video recap of the event by going to 2019 Delta Delta Florida Luncheon.

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Bart Burrell’s Purdue Career Highlights (1977 – 1980)

  • 140 catches: a Purdue record at the time
  • 2,126 Receiving Yards: a Purdue record at the time
  • 14 Touchdowns: a Purdue record at the time
  • 15.2 Yards per Catch for his career
  • 1,001 Yards Receiving in 1980: a Purdue record until last year when Rondel Moore broke it. Burrell was Purdue’s first 1,000-yard receiver.
  • 66 Catches in 1980: Purdue record and top 10 nationally
  • Touchdown catches in 3 winning Bowl Games
  • Touchdown catches in 2 Post Season All Star Games (Japan Bowl and Hula Bowl)
  • Worn #87, same number as Sig Bob Demoss ‘49
  • Elected to Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 2010

 

Mary and Bernie Sergesketter

Mary and Bernie Sergesketter

Nancy Burrell, Bob and Shirley Puzey

Nancy Burrell, Bob and Shirley Puzey

Bob Elsperman and Dick Hall

Bob Elsperman and Dick Hall

 

Joe McCabe and Bart Burrell

Joe McCabe and Bart Burrell

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