Piedmont University Athletics

Now in her 21st season leading the Piedmont University women’s basketball program, Jamie Purdy has built one of the most consistent and respected NCAA Division III programs in the South. A former standout student-athlete for the Lions and a 2024 inductee into the Statesboro Athletic Hall of Fame, Purdy ranks among the top 50 winningest active coaches by percentage with a career record of 398-190 (.676).

Purdy’s tenure is highlighted by seven NCAA Tournament appearances (2007, 2008, 2011, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2025), nine 20-win seasons, and championships across three conferences, including three GSAC Tournament titles, three USA South Tournament titles, and most recently, the 2025 CCS Tournament Championship. She has coached multiple conference Players of the Year, five D3hoops.com All-Region selections, and 13 CSC/CoSIDA Academic All-District honorees while mentoring dozens of all-conference players.

The 2024–25 season added another impressive chapter to her legacy. The Lions posted a 20-8 record, earned a share of the CCS Regular Season Championship, and won the CCS Conference Tournament Title on their home floor, securing the program’s seventh NCAA Tournament bid under Purdy. Senior Andelin Hill was named CCS Player of the Year and earned D3hoops.com All-Region recognition, while three players earned All-CCS honors and four were named to the CSC Academic All-District Team.

Earlier in her tenure, Purdy led Piedmont to three consecutive USA South Tournament titles from 2017–2019, capping the run with a home-court championship in 2019. That same season, standout guard Amari Price was named USA South Player of the Year and Tournament MVP. In 2021, the Lions went undefeated in USA South regular season play for the first time in program history, finishing 12-0.

Since taking over in 2005, Purdy has coached some of the most decorated players in program history, including Sada Wheeler, the school’s first WBCA All-American in the NCAA era. Wheeler, Price, Nakiyah Washington, Livia Skinner, and Hill have all earned All-Region honors under her leadership. She has also developed a reputation for academic excellence, with her student-athletes consistently earning regional and national honors.

Before returning to her alma mater, Purdy served as head coach at Middle Georgia College, where she compiled a 31-21 record over two seasons and led the program to the GJCAA Championship Game in just her second year.

As a student-athlete, Purdy was a four-year basketball letterwinner and a two-year softball letterwinner at Piedmont. She helped lead the Lions to a Georgia Athletic Conference title in softball and was inducted into the Piedmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 for her contributions.

She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Piedmont in 2000 and her M.S. in Kinesiology with a focus in Sport Psychology from Georgia Southern in 2002.


Head Coach at Middle Georgia (2003-04 to 2004-05)
31-21 overall record
Led Warriors to Georgia Junior College Athletic Association championship game in second season

Collegiate Career at Piedmont College (1996-2000)
Women's Basketball & Softball athlete
Four-year letter winner in Basketball
Two-year letter winner in Softball
Georgia Athletic Conference Championship in Softball
Inducted into Piedmont Athletic Hall of Fame (2000)

Purdy's Year-by-Year Coaching Record (2003-04 Season-Present)

Coach Purdy's Career Milestones by School (2003-04 Season-Present) 
100th career victory - February 9, 2009 at Spelman (73-68) 
200th career victory - January 28, 2015 vs. Covenant (81-60)
300th career victory - January 14, 2020 vs. LaGrange (59-49)
1st career victory as coach of Lady Lions - November 18, 2005 vs. Texas Lutheran (86-72)
100th career victory as coach of Lady Lions - February 1, 2011 vs. Agnes Scott (69-51)
200th career victory as coach of Lady Lions - December 29, 2016 vs. Meredith (93-48)
300th career victory as coach of Lady Lions - December 7, 2021 vs. Maryville (74-62)


Last updated 6/25