Mark Gale

Mark was born and raised in Oklahoma and graduated from Purcell High School in 1977. He excelled in football, basketball, and baseball. After high school, Mark continued his education at Oklahoma State University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree, and then went to the University of Oklahoma, earning a Masters degree.

He began his coaching career while still in college, as Purcell head football coach Milt Basset asked Mark to assist his staff at Purcell in 1978 and at Yukon in 1979, where Mark actually coached Garth Brooks.

In 1980, Purcell football coach Rick Clark asked Mark if he would assist him and his staff, which he accepted.

After graduating from OSU in 1981, Milt Bassett hired Mark at Woodward High School, where he coached football and track from 1981 to 1983.

In 1983, his girls’ track team won a state championship, marking an early achievement in what would become a remarkable career in athletics.

Mark went on to spend six years with the University of Oklahoma football program and thirty-three years with the Marshall football program, becoming its longest-serving staff member.

During Mark’s collegiate coaching career, the teams captured one national championship at OU in 1985, and two national championships at Marshall University in 1992 & 1996. Mark was also responsible for recruiting and coaching 12 players who were drafted and played in the National Football League. His career collegiate coaching record stands at an impressive 340 wins, 157 losses, and 1 tie.

Mark states that if it wasn’t for what he learned from his Purcell High School coaches: Milt Bassett, Larry Derrick, Steve Mancillas, Cliff Schultz, Ron Rogers, Rick Clark, Gary Gooper, Bob Haley, and Bob Pratt, he would not have been prepared to spend nearly 45 years of his life doing something that was not just a job, but a deep burning passion to see young men succeed.

Mark has been married to his wife Carol for more than 32 years. Together, they have two daughters, Caitlin and Chelsea.

Steve Gale

After graduating from Purcell High School 1978, Steve attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University and was a four-year letterman in football.

His honors include being named first team District 9 center in 1981, first team Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference in 1981, second team Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference center in 1980 and team captain in 1981.

He went on to become a football coach, coaching nine years at NWOSU, coaching the first two OIC Football Championships at the school in 1986 and 1989. He also coached one year at Tulsa Union High School, one year at Choctaw High School, and seven years at Enid High School. He was the head coach at Alva High School for eight years, boasting a 60-30 record.

He was honored as an All-State coach in 2005-2006 and OCA Regional Coach of the Year in 2005-2006. He was OCA Regional Athletic Director of the Year in 2013 and 2015 and was inducted into the NWOSU Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.

Steve has been married to his wife, Pam, for 40 years. Their family includes son Mitchell, his wife Rayel, and son Tyson, and his wife Gabrielle. They have three grandchildren: Truitt, Giovanna, and Carmella.

Ryan Buchanan

Ryan graduated from Purcell High School in 1994 and was active in football, basketball, and baseball. He was a member of the 1994 State Championship basketball team, where he was chosen as the state tournament MVP. That year, he also competed in the state baseball tournament.

Ryan considers his greatest accomplishment to be his family. He is married to his wife, Kassi, and they have three daughters: Hannah, Haven, and Halle.

Hannah and Haven are both Purcell graduates, and Halle is a senior this year. It has been especially rewarding for him to see Hanna continue the family’s PHS accomplishments as a member of Purcell’s 2017 Fast Pitch State Championship team.

Ryan is thankful for his coaches, teammates, teachers, family, and friends who have influenced his life. He is truly grateful to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, surrounded by so many outstanding Purcell athletes.

Patrick Harris

Patrick graduated from Purcell High School in 1992. He spent his time as a Dragon playing football, baseball, and powerlifting. He went to college and played football at Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

After graduating from college and starting his career, football kept calling him. Eventually, he returned to the game and coached at Tulsa Union for 16 years.

He’d like to thank his coaches: Tom Redding, Mike Robinson, Jerry Swayze, Greg Dillard, Kenny Lamb, Dane Coale, Bob Haley, and Mike Wilson, saying they were great coaches and were appreciated so much.

Patrick would also like to thank his parents, Zack and Luann, for building drive and determination at a young age. He considers them his heroes. He’d also like to thank his siblings, Zachary and Laura, for always being there.

Lastly, he’d like to thank his wife, Jamie, saying she is the best thing to ever happen to him. He wishes his wife and sons, Ryan and Jack, could’ve seen him play.

One fun fact to note is that his career in athletics wasn’t always rosy. He may be the only player in Dragon history to score only one basket in 7th grade basketball, and it was for the other team. His all-time stat in basketball is -2 points.

Jancy Gharkania Scott

Looking back, Jancy had a lifelong passion for running. She discovered in the third grade that all you had to do was run really fast and you got a medal.

That love of running continued throughout her years at Purcell High School. She received All-State honors in cross-country in 1994 and was the first female from Purcell to do so. She was also a member of the All-State 3200-meter relay team in 1995 and the All-State 1600-meter relay team in 1996. She was honored to receive the Jack Angel Award and was the first recipient of the Bob Haley Award. 

After graduating from Purcell, she continued her running career at Oklahoma Christian University, competing in both cross country and track. During her collegiate career, she held the school record in the 1000-meter run and was part of the indoor 1600-meter relay team record. In cross country, she placed 13th in the Sooner Athletic Conference and qualified for the NAIA National Championships in 1998. At the 1999 NAIA Indoor National Meet, she placed in the distance medley relay team, and later that year at the Sooner Athletic Conference Championships, she finished 6th in the 800 meters and helped the 1600-meter relay team earn a 3rd-place finish.

Although her competitive collegiate career eventually ended, she still competes in countless 5Ks, 10Ks, half-marathons, and full marathons.

Jancy says she was blessed with fantastic coaches who invested in her. She singles out Coach Randy Belicek, saying he spent many extra hours and ran many extra miles with her, helping her to become a better runner and better person. He believed in her before she believed in herself. He taught her discipline, perseverance, resilience, and what it meant to work hard for something. She believes her accomplishments are just as much a reflection of the coaches who poured so much into her, especially Coach Belicek.

Paul Verble

Paul Verble was a proud member of the Purcell High School Class of 1985, where he made his mark as an outstanding athlete and respected student leader. During his high school years, he excelled in football, basketball, and track, while serving as President of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. His athletic accomplishments in high school include being named a KEBC player of the week, earning All-State Football honors, and helping the Dragons win the 1985 State Track Championship. Following graduation, Paul continued his football career at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, where he played wide receiver. He was a member of the 1986 Oklahoma Intercollegiate Conference Championship team.

After college, Paul dedicated his career to serving others by joining the Edmond Fire Department, where his hard work, leadership, and commitment earned him the rank of Captain. Equally important to Paul was his unwavering devotion to his faith and his family. He and his wife, Sherri, built a loving home, raising their three children - Chace, Cole, and Chyann. He lived each day guided by the values of faith, integrity, service, and compassion. Whether on the athletic field, in the fire service, or at home, Paul consistently demonstrated the character, leadership, and commitment that defined his life. He left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

Steve Green

Steve graduated from Purcell High School in 1977. While in high school, Steve lettered in football, basketball, and track. As a junior in 1976, Steve broke the PHS school record in the 440-yard dash with a 50.1-second mark. The record was originally held by his brother Gerald, who set the previous record of 50.2 in 1974. During that same year, Steve ran the 3rd leg on the State Championship 440-yard relay team for the Dragons.

Primarily a defensive secondary/special teams player for the PHS football team early in his career, Steve bided his time at running back, where he backed up his brother Gerald during his first varsity season. The next year, he played behind standout athlete Chris Willis. But finally, in the fall of 1976, Steve was able to take his rightful place as the starting running back for the Dragons. He helped lead the team to an 8-2 record that year, barely missing out on a playoff spot.

Besides his state championship at the 1976 state meet, Steve will also be remembered for his last-second touchdown dive against Seminole in the 1976 season opener at Conger Field to win the game.

Steve was the second-oldest of the famous Green brothers who competed as student-athletes for Purcell High School from 1972-1981. All four brothers became All-Staters in one or more sports for the Dragons during their careers. Just like his brothers, Steve was an outstanding all-around athlete who excelled in every PHS sport that he competed in.