Before transferring to the University of Miami after my freshman year of college, my journey began in the deep South at Auburn University. Throughout high school, I received offers to play Division 1, 2, and 3 lacrosse, but none of them felt like the right fit. Deep down, I knew that if I wasn’t going to find the perfect school, one truly worth committing all those hours to lacrosse, it was time to pursue another dream: attending an SEC school, joining Greek life, and experiencing college football at the highest level.

Auburn first caught my attention during late elementary and middle school, thanks to the Tigers’ success on the football field. Their iconic run during that era, highlighted by Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton and legendary moments like the “Kick Six,” had me thinking, Imagine being a student at that school! The energy, the culture, the traditions, it was exactly what I had been looking for. Through Greek life, I was fortunate enough to meet Cooper Arnott, the future founder of Mag Street Vintage.

From the moment I met Cooper, we were on the same page; both passionate about officially licensed sports merchandise from the ‘80s, ‘90s, and early 2000s. The baggy fits, bold wraparound logos, and eye-catching colors paired with distinctive fonts created an unmistakable style. That passion sparked an idea. Cooper decided to create Mag Street Vintage, named after Magnolia Street, the main strip running through downtown Auburn. He made me his right-hand man and CMO (Chief Marketing Officer). It was time to turn our passion into a business. And that was just the beginning.

During my freshman fall at Auburn, my first class of the week was BUSI 1010: Professional Development in Business, the introductory course for all freshmen in the business school. In that class, I met three freshmen from Auburn’s football team, and naturally, I introduced myself. Since the team didn’t practice on Mondays, we started a routine: go to class, then grab lunch together. It became a weekly thing. I think they respected that I treated them the same as everyone else on campus.

The first game of the season was a massive matchup, Auburn vs. Oregon at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas. Since it was an out-of-state game, only a limited number of players could travel with the team. None of my friends made the trip, as they were all freshmen and hadn’t seen field time yet. That Friday, my fraternity was throwing its school/football opening weekend party. Each member was allowed three guest invites, and most guys extended theirs to female friends since there were already going to be plenty of guys at the party. But me? I extended my invites to my friends on the football team. When I told them, that was the moment they knew I wasn’t just some kid they met in class trying to mooch off the top guys on campus, I was a real friend.

About halfway through my first semester at Auburn, Cooper decided it was time to test the waters. I told my football friends about Mag Street Vintage, pitching them the idea. Then, I asked each of them, “Give me two or three sports teams you’re a fan of and your T-shirt size.” A week later, I pulled up with handpicked vintage tees from the teams they mentioned. When they asked, “How much for the shirts?” I replied, “Don’t worry about it, as long as you guys all wear them together at practice tomorrow.”

My long-term goal? Create buzz about Mag Street at practice and turn that into future clients on the team. The next day, they showed up to practice wearing the shirts. Instant hit. Not just with the players, but with the surrounding staff as well. That night, my phone wouldn’t stop ringing, other players on the team were reaching out, wanting shirts for themselves. Before I knew it, most of the football team was rocking Mag Street Vintage, each one wearing handpicked, curated vintage sports team T-shirts.

A few days later, the basketball team took notice. Players from Auburn’s two biggest athletic programs started wearing our gear, and once they began posting Instagram stories about it, something crazy happened, college athletes from all over the country started hitting us up. That moment was special to me. I had always imagined myself as a college athlete, but when that door didn’t open the way I had envisioned, I found a new way to be involved. I wasn’t on the field, but my impact was. You know what they say: Look good, play good!

As time passed, a few of Auburn’s athletes went pro, and something even bigger happened, Mag Street Vintage made its way into the hands of professional athletes.

When it came time for our Mag Street Vintage athletes to take their talents to the next level, three of them heard their names called on draft night. Among those making the leap to the pros were:

• Jabari Smith Jr. (NBA, Houston Rockets, 2022 – #3 Overall Pick)

• Walker Kessler (NBA, Utah Jazz, 2022 – #22 Overall Pick)

• Roger McCreary (NFL, Tennessee Titans, 2022 – #35 Overall Pick)

With our guys now shining on the world’s biggest stages, so would our products. Then came the moment that changed everything.

December 29, 2021. The Golden State Warriors were facing the Denver Nuggets. Stephen Curry was doing what Stephen Curry does best—breaking ankles and draining deep threes. Late in the game, he hit a nasty step-back three over Austin Rivers, sending the crowd into a frenzy.

But that wasn’t the moment that made headlines for us.

The real moment was Jordan Poole’s reaction. Sitting on the Warriors' bench, his jaw dropped, his face perfectly capturing just how insane the move was. The ESPN broadcast immediately cut to a close-up of Poole, and right there, front and center, BANG!

Jordan Poole was wearing a custom Mag Street Vintage T-shirt we had gifted him as a thank-you for his order with us.

An NBA champion, caught on national TV, rocking our brand.

What started as a passion project had officially made it to the league.

Mag Street Vintage has come a long way from “The Loveliest Village on the Plains” to celebrating its fifth year as a brand. What started as a hobby, digging through vintage sports merchandise and curating pieces for college athletes, has evolved into a six-figure business worn by some of the biggest names in sports.

My favorite part? Who markets our brand.

Over the years, some of the best athletes in the world have become part of the Mag Street family. These aren’t just customers, they’re walking billboards, rocking our vintage pieces at practice, in the locker room, and even on national TV.

What began with a few Auburn football and basketball players has grown into a brand embraced by NBA and NFL stars. But this isn’t just a reselling business. Mag Street Vintage is a bridge between sports culture, nostalgia, and fashion.

By the Numbers

• Total Revenue: $400,000

• Total Profit: $200,000

• Total T-Shirts Sold: 10,000

Athletes Who’ve Worn Mag Street Vintage

NBA: Damian Lillard, DeMar DeRozan, Jordan Poole, Walker Kessler, Jabari Smith Jr.
NFL: Caleb Williams, Brevin Jordan, Roger McCreary