WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — The Lycoming College community is heartbroken following the passing of Mark Barnes ’01, a trailblazing figure in the Warriors’ lacrosse program and one of the most celebrated athletes in school history. News of his death, shared on Thursday, has left former teammates, coaches, and fans devastated as they remember a leader whose presence shaped an era of success for Lycoming Lacrosse.
Barnes arrived at Lycoming in 1997, just a year after the program gained varsity status, and quickly became the cornerstone of its rise. By his sophomore season, he helped propel the Warriors to their first-ever Middle Atlantic Conference Championship final, igniting a run of dominance that would define his career.
On the field, Barnes was nothing short of extraordinary. A longstick midfielder, he redefined the position with his unmatched skill, grit, and leadership. He won 733 career faceoffs and averaged an astonishing 10 groundballs per game — both records that still stand today. Remarkably, he also tallied 47 goals and 38 assists, numbers unheard of for his position. His impact was so profound that he earned All-American honors three times and was named MAC Player of the Year in 2000.
Beyond the statistics, Barnes was the heart of the team. A three-time captain, he embodied toughness and resilience, setting the tone for a program that finished 38-22 (.633) during his career and consistently ranked among the league’s top teams. His former coach, Gene Peluso, recalled: “His teammates loved him. They knew who the alpha dog was. We had some guys on offense who could score, but there was no doubt who our leader was. How he went, we went.”
Barnes’ legacy continued well beyond his playing days. He was inducted into the Halls of Fame at both Corning East High School and Lycoming College, and in 2021, he earned a place in the Middle Atlantic Conference Hall of Fame — becoming just the second lacrosse player to receive that honor.
Off the field, Barnes was remembered as a devoted father, friend, and mentor whose influence reached far beyond the game he loved. His passing leaves an irreplaceable void in the lives of his children — Jacob, Justin, and Kallie — and in the hearts of all who knew him.
The Lycoming College community summed up the loss with words that now carry even deeper meaning: Once a Warrior, Always a Warrior. Mark Barnes was truly one-of-a-kind, and his mark will forever remain etched in the history of Lycoming Lacrosse.