Vic Purvis, a former quarterback for Southern Mississippi, passed away on May 30 at the age of 82. Purvis battled Alzheimer’s disease for many years. “We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of former Golden Eagle Vic Purvis,” the Southern Mississippi program stated. “Vic was an outstanding football player and radio analyst at Southern Miss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
A Legacy on the Field
Purvis carved a unique place in Southern Mississippi’s history. He initially shaped the program as a dual-threat quarterback between 1963 and 1965. Later, he extended his influence by serving as a color analyst for the next 41 seasons (1975-2014), sharing his insights on Southern Miss radio broadcasts and guiding many fans through understanding the game.
A native of Puckett, Mississippi, James Victor Purvis enrolled at then-Mississippi Southern College after excelling at Puckett High School. Playing under the renowned coach Thad “Pie” Vann, Purvis played 28 games for the Golden Eagles, starting in all but one from 1963-1965. During his tenure, he led the team in both passing and rushing, an uncommon achievement in any era.
Purvis rushed for 663 yards as a senior in 1965, accumulating a total of 1,495 rushing yards over his college career. He also led the team in passing, with 1,727 yards, eight touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. His 238-yard rushing game against Memphis in 1965 stands as one of the top single-game rushing performances in the school’s history. According to the Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame, the Golden Eagles achieved a 19-8-1 record in games with Purvis as the starting quarterback.
Brief NFL Career
Purvis played two seasons in the AFL with the Boston Patriots as a defensive back and kick returner. He started one game in 1966 and participated in 14 games overall. His playing career ended due to a shoulder injury, but Purvis soon transitioned to a successful career in broadcasting.
Broadcasting Career and Honors
In 1974, Purvis joined the Southern Miss radio network as a guest analyst. The position soon became permanent. Over the next 40 years, he worked on 471 football broadcasts. His voice became as familiar to fans as the coaches and players he described.
When Purvis retired after the 2014 season, he had been part of the coverage for five conference championships, 17 bowl games, and many pivotal moments in Southern Mississippi’s program history.
His significant contributions earned him inductions into the Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.