GRANT REPORT - HUDL ATHLETIC PACKAGE
The HUDL sports program funded by a MMCF grant had a significant and far-reaching positive impact on the Mammoth High School (MHS) community. HUDL is a sports package that provides three video cameras to Mammoth High School’s sports teams, the uses varying greatly producing far-reaching impact to MHS student/athletes. The program provides cameras in the Mammoth High School Gym, in the Football Stadium and one portable camera that can be used providing advanced video and an analytics platform for sports such as soccer, girls’ volleyball, softball, baseball, girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ and boys’ soccer - 14 sports in all. Some of the features HUDL provides are online statistics for both coaches and athletes used to improve aspects of their games while also offering educational training for coaches and athletes. HUDL also allows coaches to receive film on prospective opponents to prepare for games and competitions. The student/athletes can create highlight videos to send to potential college coaches to further their efforts to play sports in college. In short, this grant has transformed what MHS’s athletic program can offer students. It has directly leveled the playing field for student/athletes, enhanced their college and career opportunities, and deepened the school’s connections with families and the wider community.
Another aspect of HUDL allows Mammoth High School to livestream games to alumni, family members, and friends who are not able to travel to Mammoth for sporting events. HUDL has potential as well to generate revenue by providing live stream and on-demand options for opposing teams and families. We talked to MHS Athletic Director, Kelley Lackey, and this is what she had to say.
“Support from MMCF donors helps close this gap, directly reducing the burden on our students and families while ensuring our athletes can compete, grow, and represent our school with pride. MMCF is an invaluable partner in our successful school athletics program. We are indebted to your support!”
What is the HUDL School Athletic Package and how is it specifically used for Mammoth High School?
The HUDL School Athletic Package is a system that provides cameras and analytics to our teams. It also allows us to livestream our games on the HUDL network. Currently, we have fixed cameras in our gym and in the football stadium. This year, we are adding two flex cameras with tripods. These cameras enable teams to film away games and soccer games. We stream our home volleyball, basketball, and football games on our HUDL Fan page: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/ca/mammoth-lakes/organization/11525/mammoth-high-school
We use our HUDL package to gain valuable stats on our games and athletes. Our coaches use these stats to teach and help students get noticed by colleges. Coaches can share film with other schools through HUDL. This allows them to prepare for opponents. One of the best things about our HUDL package is the ability it gives us to livestream our games. Our families, community members, and alumni can watch MHS games via livestreaming! We also offer this to our opponents for a small charge. This gives our athletics program the opportunity to fundraise.
Which sports is it used in and what opportunities does it present both to the athletes and community?
The Volleyball, Football, Girls' and Boys' Basketball, Girls' and Boys' Soccer, Baseball, and Softball programs use HUDL. It presents opportunities for the teams to analyze their games and find areas of strength and areas for improvement. It also allows our community and families to watch games if they can’t be there in person. On average, we had over twenty-five online viewers for each of our livestreamed games. This may not seem like much, but it adds up to over 1500 viewers throughout our three athletic seasons! We generated a small income for our athletic travel by allowing our opponents’ families to livestream games for a fee. We hope to expand this service as a fundraising stream in the future.
Can you tell us about the youth population that this program serves?
HUDL made an impact on over 217 student-athletes, their families, MHS Alumni, and our community. Over 55% of MHS students participate in athletics. The students are spread across four grade levels, multiple socioeconomic classes, multiple races, and genders. Many of our student-athletes come from marginalized backgrounds and ethnic groups. They are our most underserved kids. Over the past two years of using HUDL, we have had several athletes use film from HUDL to help in their college recruiting process. We have an athlete playing Division 1 Baseball at Long Beach State, another who has signed at Simpson University, a volleyball player starting her career at Grossmont College, and another student beginning at Allan Hancock College. We also have several athletes who have gone on to play football and soccer at the Junior College level.
How does this grant improve the lives of the youth and others in our community?
Our MMCF grant for the HUDL School Package improves the lives of our student-athletes by providing them with more opportunities to review film of themselves playing the sport they love. It gives them a boost in the college recruiting process by offering highlight videos and a way to market themselves to college coaches. By watching film of their games, the athletes have a unique insight into improving their craft and becoming better at the game. They also have a way to show film to their parents, grandparents, and family members who aren’t able to see them play in person. HUDL enhances the Mammoth Community and the broader community by offering MHS a platform to livestream games. Our alumni can watch their peers play while they are away at college. Friends and family members afar can enjoy seeing their special athlete play their game.
Does the HUDL have impact beyond the direct community of Mammoth Lakes?
HUDL has an impact beyond the direct Mammoth Community by offering a livestream platform that allows friends, family, alumni, and the communities of MHS’s opponents to watch games and be involved.
Is there anything that you would like to convey to MMCF donors?
I would like our donors to know how much their support means to Mammoth High School, its students, families, and the Mammoth Lakes community. The grant funding that MMCF provides is absolutely vital to sustaining our athletics program in our remote, beautiful school district in Mammoth Lakes. Because our teams must travel an average of four hours one-way for league games, our annual travel costs alone are approximately $65,000 - more than double the district’s $30,000 contribution. Additionally, our coaches and athletes must cover the costs of uniforms, travel, food, lodging, referees, and essential tools, such as the HUDL package. They fundraise year-round to make these opportunities possible. Support from MMCF donors helps close this gap, directly reducing the burden on our students and families while ensuring our athletes can compete, grow, and represent our school with pride. MMCF is an invaluable partner in our successful school athletics program. We are indebted to your support!
