By Randy Villarba
Special to the Mammoth Times

It’s almost impossible to talk about Huskies football without mentioning longtime coach Tom Gault. During a conversation about the Huskies, Mammoth High School Boosters President Jeff DeSalvo gave Gault a vote of confidence at the start of the 2010 season.

“Tom Gault’s experience and natural character bring many positive aspects to Mammoth Football,” DeSalvo said.

“His coaching style teaches the kids all they need to know about how to succeed at their sport while learning important lessons to apply in their everyday life.

“We are very fortunate that he has taken time from retirement and his busy personal life to breathe life back into the program. Gault has surrounded himself with a great coaching staff and has complete support from the new administration.”

DeSalvo also knows that there are other sports on the horizon as the school year starts this fall. Students have been working hard all summer training just as hard for their sports as the Huskies football players have been. Each and every one of these sports is important to the Mammoth Lakes community.

“All sports are important at the high school level and kids should have every opportunity to be involved in the sport of their choice. Besides football, cheer, cross-country running and volleyball all start their seasons this fall. The girls varsity volleyball team looks especially strong this year.”
Jeff DeSalvo has been involved in Huskies athletics for a large portion of his life. He first moved to Mammoth Lakes from Arcadia, Calif., in 1978. After graduating from college he returned home to Mammoth permanently in 1988. He and his wife Liz were both graduates of Mammoth High School class of 1982. Having played various sports themselves they understand the importance of community and parental involvement in local athletics.

“This will be my sixth year with the Boosters Club,” DeSalvo said. “Two as treasurer and this is my fourth as president.”

The purpose of the Mammoth High School Boosters Club is to provide a parent and community avenue to give support and assistance to all students of Mammoth High School. They continuously promote the education and welfare of children through projects and programs for the needs and activities of the students. It is through their cooperation and communication among parents, staff, students and the public that the club helps promote further success in academics, athletics and the arts for the local Mammoth High School students.

DeSalvo’s athletic genes did not fall too far from the tree. His son Matt graduated in 2007 and played baseball, basketball and football for the Huskies. Matt was the 2007 Mammoth High School Athlete of the Year.

DeSalvo’s daughter Kate plays on the volleyball team and has hopes of taking her talent to college next year.

“Support can also come in the form of attendance at sporting events, school plays and other events our kids are involved in. I encourage everyone to become a booster club member to support the high school and gain free entrance to all regular-season sports events. We need more support. We hope that with the changes going on in the district and especially at the high school we will get more involvement from parents and the community. The Mammoth Times taking an interest is a great first step. Parents and interested community members can attend our meetings.”

Fund raising plans for this year will remain the same unless they have more parent involvement: sports concessions and admissions, Christmas Tree sales, membership and Vons escript to name a few.

Tom Cage of Mammoth Chevron also raises substantial funds for sports teams through car washes and kickbacks from gas sales during certain times of the year. “We need more involvement right away as Vons has notified us that they will limit the funds we can raise starting next year. This could lower our income by up to $80,000. We typically raise $80,000 to $90,000 per year.”

The Mammoth High School Boosters Club is looking for volunteers to increase funding through new programs. Interested parents and community members should contact DeSalvo or attend one of their monthly meetings. Meeting dates and times are posted on the Web site.

Mammoth High School Boosters typically meet on the third Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. in the high school library.Anyone interested in applying for a membership to the boosters will find a form at www.mhsboosters.org. For more information on the Mammoth High School Boosters e-mail Jeff DeSalvo directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Mammoth High School Booster Club
P.O. Box 3149
Mammoth Lakes, CA
93546-3149