HATTIESBURG, MS and ATLANTA, GA (March 10, 2023) – The University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Department, in conjunction with CLC, the university’s exclusive trademark licensing agent, have partnered with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to introduce an exclusive line of merchandise inspired by the world-famous singer/songwriter and his popular “Margaritaville” song.

The collection launches today and will be available on Saturday, March 11, at Southern Miss’s “Parrot Head” baseball game, an annual event that pays homage to Buffett and his connection to the university. The game, which begins at 2:00 pm central against Valparaiso, includes special jerseys worn by the team, along with live pre-game music at Pete Taylor Park.

Buffett received his degree in History from Southern Miss in 1969 and has supported the university throughout his career. The new collection marks the first collegiate collaboration for Margaritaville, a hospitality company with restaurants and resorts that takes its inspiration from Buffett’s perennially popular song by the same name.

“We are excited to launch this new collection that pays homage to a great alumnus of our university through unique, fun merchandise for our fans,” said Brad Smith, senior associate athletic director for external operations. “Our Parrot Head baseball game has rapidly become a fan favorite each year, and the addition of the new Southern Miss Margaritaville collection will make this a can’t-miss event.”

The Southern Miss Margaritaville Collection will launch with apparel and non-apparel products from officially licensed partners GIII, Rico Industries, Victory Tailgate, L2 Brands, and Prosphere. The specially curated product line features designs inspired by the song and Buffett’s well-known island lifestyle themes, including a number 77 on the collection jersey, signifying the year the Margaritaville song was released.

“We are proud to work with our partners at Southern Miss and the team at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to help develop this special collection that combines music, the tropical lifestyle, and school spirit with unique attributes and branding of the university,” said Ben Emmons, vice president of brand marketing at CLC. “We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the university to deliver unique programs for Southern Miss fans.”

The Southern Miss Margaritaville Collection will be available at the baseball game, as well as the Southern Miss Bookstore and Campus Bookmart in Hattiesburg, MS.

About Southern Miss Athletics

The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Athletics sponsors 17 intercollegiate sports, seven men’s sports and 10 women’s sports, and compete at the NCAA Division I level. The sports include baseball, basketball, football, golf, tennis and indoor and outdoor track and field for men, along with basketball, beach volleyball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball. The school currently is in its first year as a member of the Sun Belt Conference and competes for league championships in all 17 of its sports. 

For media inquiries, contact:

Tammy Purves, CLC, tammy.purves@clc.com, 770-799-3275

Brad Smith, Southern Miss – brad.j.smith@usm.edu, 601-266-5281