Vic Purvis, a respected figure in Southern Mississippi football history, passed away on May 30 after battling Alzheimer’s disease. He was 82 years old. The Southern Mississippi program expressed mourning over his death in a statement, remembering him as both an exceptional player and a beloved radio analyst. The program extends its condolences to his family and friends.
Purvis made significant contributions to Southern Mississippi, first as a dual-threat quarterback from 1963 to 1965, and later as a color analyst for 41 years, from 1975 to 2014. During his tenure as a quarterback, he emerged as a standout athlete under coach Thad “Pie” Vann. From his early days at Puckett High School to his college career at then-Mississippi Southern College, Purvis left a lasting mark on the program. He participated in 28 games, starting in all but one between 1963 and 1965. His ability to lead in both passing and rushing was notable, with Purvis accumulating 1,495 rushing yards over three seasons and leading with 1,727 passing yards during that period.
In one remarkable 1965 game against Memphis, Purvis rushed for 238 yards, marking a significant achievement in school history. Throughout his college career, the Golden Eagles achieved a 19-8-1 record in games where he was a starter, according to the Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame.
After college, Purvis moved to professional football, spending two seasons in the AFL with the Boston Patriots. Despite playing as a defensive back and kick returner, a shoulder injury curtailed his athletic career after making 14 appearances, including one start, in the 1966 season. He then transitioned to broadcasting, becoming a permanent fixture on the Southern Miss radio network in 1974.
His broadcasting career spanned four decades, during which he called 471 football games. This included witnessing and narrating five conference championships, 17 bowl games, and numerous key moments in Southern Miss football history. Such contributions earned him a place in the Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.
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