Meet Mario and Elizabeth Barnes, the Owners of Iuka Sports Academy: A Family, a Community, and a Vision for Local Families.

Iuka Sports Academy is more than a sports facility. It is a reflection of family, community, and a shared belief that kids in Iuka deserve positive outlets, strong role models, and a safe place to grow.

Owned and operated by Mario and Elizabeth Barnes, Iuka Sports Academy was built with one purpose in mind: to give local children opportunities that simply did not exist here years ago.

A Local Story Rooted in Iuka

Mario Barnes grew up in this area and knows firsthand what life was like for kids here before facilities like Iuka Sports Academy existed. When there was little to do, boredom often led to trouble—not because kids were bad, but because options were limited.

As Mario and Elizabeth began raising their own family, that reality became personal.

They realized that without intentional action, their children—and many others—would grow up with the same limited choices. Organized sports, tutoring, structured training, and positive after-school environments were either unavailable or inconsistent.

Iuka Sports Academy was created to change that.

A Family of Five Kids (and One Big Why)

The heart of Iuka Sports Academy is the Barnes family themselves.

Johnny – Age 13

Johnny is a student-athlete at Tishomingo County High School and plays on the middle school football, basketball, and baseball teams, while also competing on the high school varsity cross country team. His schedule alone reflects the importance of having local facilities that support multi-sport athletes and keep kids active year-round.

Marshel – Age 11

Marshel is well known throughout the community and deeply loved. He has a dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism, and the family has experienced firsthand how welcoming and supportive Iuka has been. That acceptance means everything to his mother, Elizabeth, and reinforces why inclusive community spaces matter.

Iuka Sports Academy was designed to be a place where every child belongs, regardless of ability.

Corey – Age 6

Corey is in kindergarten and was recently named Student of the Month. He plays football, soccer, basketball, and is an all-star in baseball. ISA is one of his favorite places—so much so that he rides the bus there every day after school for tutoring and athletic training.

For Mario and Elizabeth, ISA isn’t theoretical. It is where their own kids learn, train, and grow.

Hazel – Almost 4

Hazel follows her older brothers everywhere and wants to participate in everything they do. At just three years old, she played on Corey’s soccer team—coached, of course, by Mario.

Hazel earned the unforgettable “Houdini Award” for her disappearing acts during games, often sneaking off to the concession stand to see her mom and grab snacks. It’s moments like these that remind everyone that sports should be fun, lighthearted, and family-centered.

Jessie – Age 1

Jessie is the baby of the group. He gets dragged to everyone’s games, practices, and events and will almost certainly follow in his siblings’ footsteps. Like the others, he will grow up surrounded by activity, structure, and community support.

Why Iuka Sports Academy Exists

Iuka Sports Academy was not built as a business experiment or an investment play. It was built because someone needed to do something.

Mario admits he worried the community might not support the idea. He was wrong.

Today, ISA serves nearly 600 members—mostly children—from Iuka and the surrounding areas. Families use the facility daily for sports training, leagues, tutoring, and after-school programs. It has become a gathering place for families who want their kids engaged, active, and learning positive habits.

The Academy has grown into something larger than the Barnes family ever imagined, and that growth has come directly from community support.

Looking Ahead: Growing for the Future

The long-term vision for Iuka Sports Academy includes expanding opportunities for local families—especially through the addition of a community swimming pool. The goal is to reach 1,000 sustained members, a milestone that would make it financially possible to sustain the loan required to build and maintain a pool.

A swimming pool would provide:

• Swim lessons for local children

• A safe summer activity option

• Another inclusive athletic outlet

• Increased community engagement

This growth is not about excess—it’s about sustainability and expanding access.

Pool proposal for Iuka Sports Academy from Premier Pools and Spas out of Oxford.

A Community Effort

Mario and Elizabeth often say that Iuka Sports Academy belongs as much to the community as it does to them. They are grateful for the families, kids, coaches, and supporters who have helped shape ISA into what it is today.

What started as a concern about kids having nothing to do has become a shared mission:Keep kids active. Keep them learning. Keep them out of trouble. Give them something positive to be part of.

Iuka Sports Academy exists because Iuka showed up.