Hattiesburg, Mississippi – On Thursday, April 23, 2026, Mayor Toby Barker announced that Bobby Halford, longtime head baseball coach at William Carey University, will serve as the Grand Marshal for this year’s Parade of Champions. Scheduled for Monday, May 4, the parade honors the academic, athletic and extracurricular achievements of students from across Hattiesburg’s schools and universities during the 2025-2026 school year.

Now in his 41st season as head coach, Halford has built one of the most successful programs in NAIA history. His career includes more than 1,300 wins, the most in Mississippi history, along with numerous conference championships, national tournament appearances and more than 50 players advancing to professional baseball.

“Coach Halford represents the very best of Hattiesburg,” said Barker. “For decades, he has invested in young people, built a championship program and shaped lives both on and off the field. We’re proud to honor his legacy as this year’s Grand Marshal.”

Halford joins a distinguished group of past Grand Marshals, including Coach Tony Vance (2025), Coach Joye Lee-McNelis (2024), Coach Ernie Watson (2023), and Coach Joe Hartfield (2019).

The parade will begin at Sacred Heart High School’s north entrance, travel down West Pine Street, turn right onto Front Street, and left onto Main Street, ending at the Hattiesburg Community Arts Center at the corner of Main and Jackson Streets. Road closures along the parade route will begin around 5 p.m., with the parade set to roll at 5:30 p.m.

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