THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, July 2, 1994 TAG: 9407020735
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: DAYTON, OHIO LENGTH: Medium: 51 lines
Some Dayton Country Club members are protesting the award of an honorary club membership to new University of Dayton basketball coach Oliver Purnell as an incentive to accept the job.
They said the 625-member club has a four-year waiting list for golf privileges and that regular applicants who have paid a $7,500 deposit should not have been passed over, the Dayton Daily News reported Friday.
Purnell received the membership, valued at $20,000, as part of a $300,000 salary and benefits package to leave Old Dominion University. He is the first black member in the club's 98-year-history.
Club member John R. Brownell said he and other members are not opposed on racial grounds, but don't like the terms of Purnell's inclusion. The honorary membership, which Dayton didn't have to pay for, provides full golf privileges.
``The only way to do it right is for the University of Dayton to put up the $20,000,'' member Joe Eilers said. He said Purnell's name should be placed on the waiting list ``the same as other members.''
``It has nothing to do with Oliver Purnell personally, and I can't say that strongly enough,'' club board president Thomas Green said. ``It deals with classification of membership. We are delighted to have Oliver Purnell as a member. We are delighted that he happens to be an African-American. I know of no one who has articulated anything to the contrary.''
But a former waitress at the club who was fired for insubordination in early June told the Daily News she heard many racist comments when she worked at the club.
``Among some members out there, there's an underlying feeling that they don't want black members,'' Tammy Ayers said.
Purnell, who said he seldom plays golf, has played tennis at the club. He said he has been treated courteously by members and staff.
``I've been received very well in Dayton, though I'm sure there are some people who aren't happy about me coming to town,'' Purnell said. ``But I can't worry about that minority of people who don't want me. Truthfully, I'm a little surprised it's become an issue.'' ILLUSTRATION: Protesting Dayton Country Club members say they don't oppose
Oliver Purnell because he is the club's first-ever black, but don't
like his free honorary membership.
by CNB