Southaven will honor long-time parks and recreation director Mike Mullins with a plaque in Tribute Hall and will also rename Greenbrook Park in recognition of his pioneering service as a volunteer youth sports coach.
Mayor Darren Musselwhite announced on Friday that Mullins, who passed away in June 2024, will take his place of honor on the wall at City Hall which honors special people who have made significant contributions to the city.
“Although our city has been blessed to have so many volunteer coaches and parents whose selfless and tireless efforts have made Southaven special all the way back to our early days, no one played as significant a role in all of it more than Mike Mullins,” Musselwhite wrote on Facebook.
Musselwhite said Mullins revolutionized the parks and recreation program in Southaven and made it into one of the best in the U.S. Southaven became nationally known for its sports facilities and became a destination for baseball and softball tournaments under his leadership of the parks department from 1999-2014.
“He helped design and supervised construction of Snowden Grove Park, the Bank Plus Amphitheater, and enhancements throughout the city,” Musselwhite noted. “He was instrumental in making the city the host site of the Dizzy Dean World Series and numerous competitive tournaments for many years which had a significant impact on tourism and economic development in the city. Many other events enjoyed by citizens and visitors still today were started or influenced by him.”
Mullins began his service to the people of Southaven coaching youth football and baseball for three decades starting in the 1970s. He coached his first baseball team when he was just 16 years-old and notably coached the Steelers at Cherry Valley for 21 years and Team Pepsi for many years also. Before the city even had an official parks program, Mullins volunteered countless hours preparing and maintaining the fields at Greenbrook and Cherry Valley Parks and was often referred to by “Moon.”
“Many citizens will tell you they witnessed him riding a tractor at midnight or sponging a rain-soaked field so the kids could play the next day,” Musselwhite said. “He was known to spend his money for kids whose parents couldn’t afford equipment so the kids could play. “
Musselwhite said Mullins was an even better mentor who taught his players qualities that would help them become successful in their life outside of sports.
“His positive impact on our youth is immeasurable and although he is missed by many, he will never be forgotten,” Musselwhite said.
Residents who commented on Facebook called it a well deserved honor and recalled his dedication to youth sports.
“Everyone certainly knew who he was,” wrote Debbie Smith Sorn. “He was do dedicated.”
“He made a difference in so many lives,” Joan Harmon added.
“Good man and about time Southaven honored him,” wrote Michael McDaniel.
Roger Burns said he had many great talks with Mullins after games at Cherry Valley.
“He always had great advice and I will always be appreciative of it,” Burn commented.