http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/article/20081102/SPORTS/811020318
Ask George Sekul what it means to have the opportunity to return to the Southern Miss campus on game day, and he emits an obvious sense of pride and gratitude.
A former Southern Miss (Mississippi Southern at the time) quarterback, who was under center in 1957 and 1958, Sekul said he does his best to return to his alma mater two or three times a year to watch his former team do battle.
Saturday was special for Sekul, though, since it was Southern Miss’ annual homecoming game.
“It’s always very exciting for me,” Sekul, who was the quarterback of the 1958 College Division National Champion team, said before the game on Saturday. “It just brings back all those great memories, and the associations with all my teammates.”
Sekul, who makes his home in Biloxi, said returning to watch his former team has added meaning since his grandson, Nick Kovacevich, is a junior at Southern Miss.
“I just love to come back,” Sekul said. “It’s just such a good time, and I bring my grandson with me.”
Another former Golden Eagle quarterback who always enjoys the chance to watch the Golden Eagles play is Vic Purvis. Purvis was quarterback from 1963-1965 at Southern Miss, and currently serves as game analyst for the ISP Sports Network and M-Club president.
“I think it’s really the relationship you build with the players you play with and the coaches,” Purvis said. “That’s the part that stays with you more than anything else.”
Purvis said he’s still close to quite a few of his former teammates, including Jimmy Havard, Ben Willoughby and Nick Kolinsky.
Hattiesburg American
11/2/08
