NORTHEAST TEAM PHYSICIAN DUKES RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS SPORTS MEDICINE AWARD

BILOXI, Miss. (NEMCCAthletics.com) - A long time supporter of the Northeast Mississippi Community College athletic department was recognized for his behind-the-scenes role in assisting its athletes.

Dr. Erik Dukes was the recipient of the 2025 Mississippi Athletic Trainers' Association (MATA) Sports Medicine Person of the Year.

"The one constant in NEMCC athletics during my 20-plus years in Booneville has been Dr. Dukes," said Northeast athletic director Kent Farris. "His care and concern for our student-athletes is unrivaled. We are very fortunate to have him on our team."

Dukes, who has served as Northeast's go-to physician for the last 25 years, accepted the award at the annual MATA Symposium banquet hosted by Mississippi Sports Medicine on June 10th.

Ziggy Marro has become a close confidant of his over the last three years as Northeast's head athletic trainer. He introduced Dukes before his peers and described him as a consummate professional.

"I want to personally say thank you to Dr. Dukes for your dedication to Northeast and the community," he said. "You're truly one of the best doctors I've had the privilege of working with and a great friend.

"His dedication to our community is unwavering. He is committed to helping us provide the best and most up-to-date medical care to our student-athletes. He supports athletic trainers and respects our expertise and profession."

Dukes practices at North Mississippi Medical Center's Booneville Medical Clinic. He completed his training at Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Medicine and obtained his Bachelor's degree from William Carey University.

He finished a sports medicine fellowship at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, Fla., and a family medicine residence in Rome, Ga., at Floyd Medical Center.

Dukes is a Diplomate of the American Board of Family Practice. He also gained recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA).

"I'm just there to support what my guys do," Dukes said. "Ziggy, Danielle (Ashley) and Anna (Bolton), I really do mean it when I say thank you. Every kid needs to be covered. We're just here to support them."

Dukes has been active in other areas of campus as well. He has given lectures on behalf of Northeast's Iota Zeta chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa academic honor society and presented Bible studies through the Baptist Student Union.

He and his wife Erin have seven children. One of his sons, James, was a member of the Tigers' 2024 basketball team that captured the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference (MACCC) championship.