The Poplarville Athletic Association was established in 1984. A fifteen-member board of directors was elected with Willis Lott the first president. Over the next five years under the leadership of Willis Lott the Athletic Association saw many improvements and much growth. With the announcement of the Highway 26 by-pass coming by the old community center park and the growth of the summer youth program, it was determined that a new and larger facility was needed. At this point Willis Lott, with the help of many volunteers, went to work securing the land and grants needed to construct the new facility known as the Bill Watson Memorial Park on Highway 26 East. The late Bill Watson donated the land. The athletic program has grown from approximately 12 teams in 1984 to 32 teams in 1992. The thousands of kids and their parents who have participated in this program will never forget the untiring efforts, dedication, long hours and personal sacrifice of Willis Lott and the many volunteers who made this program a great success. In 2021, Poplarville Athletic Association was rebranded to Poplarville Association of Athletics to assist with returning to non-profit status. There was a total of approximately 550 athletes that were registered with at least one sport included under the PAA umbrella in 2021.