Coach Kathy Finney’s squad compiled a sparkling 25-4 record and its .862 winning percentage ranked second in school history at the time of its induction behind only the 1998 team’s 32-3 record and .914 winning percentage.

The Lady Wildcats compiled a 22-3 regular season record that included second place finishes at the Salem Invitational and Flora Invitational. There was no North Egypt Conference season in place at that time.

Salem captured the district championship on its home floor with a 20-1, 20-5 victory over Effingham in the opening round and a 20-18, 20-6 triumph over Mt. Carmel for the championship.

The Lady Wildcats picked up the program’s first ever win in a sectional tournament when they knocked off Carbondale in three sets 20-15, 11-20, 20-18. Salem’s postseason run ended in the sectional championship game to Mascoutah 20-8, 20-12. At the time of its induction, only the 1997 squad that advanced to the Class A super-sectional Sweet 16 round had advanced deeper in the postseason than the 1977 Lady Wildcats.

Coach Finney’s rotation that season usualy included Kathy Smith, Laura Raver, Carol Beasley, Carla Doss, Marla Sapp, Robin Owen, Diane Beasley and Peggy Wilson.

A 1988 SCHS graduate, Purcell cracked the varsity lineup in 1985 and helped lead the Wildcats to an undefeated North Egypt Conference championship, the first unbeaten and untied regular season in school history, a school record ten wins in a season and the program’s first ever playoff win against Troy Triad.

Purcell was also a key cog up front for the 1986 Wildcats squad that earned a three-way share of the NEC championship with Mt. and Olney. Salem went 7-3 on the season and earned another berth in the state playoffs.

The Wildcats matched their deepest advancement in the postseason in Purcell’s senior season of 1987, as Salem’s 8-3 record included a first-round playoff win over Olney.

Purcell, who earned All-NEC honors in high school, continued his playing career for the next four seasons at Eastern Illinois University.

Purcell not only made the traveling squad for EIU as a freshman, but worked his way into the starting lineup at left offensive tackle for the season opener. Purcell hung on to that starting spot for every game for the rest of that season and the next three seasons. His 1989 Panthers squad advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division I AA playoffs.

Purcell was looked at by several NFL scouts and had tryout opportunities after college, but was unable to land a contract.