Legacy of a Lion

STORY COLIN BOUTON PHOTOS SALTER FAMILY

LEGACY OF A LION

Recently the Northshore lost an unforgettable figure in Jack Salter, best known to many as Covington High’s once long-time football coach, mentor to countless youth and an amazing family man. Coach Jack had a 256-110-8 record in his 34 years of coaching, led his team to a state championship in 1976 and earned two state runner up titles in 1975 and 1987. His football knowledge was remarkable, but he was best known for the way he treated his players. His eldest grandson, Greg, is in many ways like his beloved grandfather, as he too has answered the call to coach. His childhood football memories are fond and plentiful, “From as early as I can remember, I was at every game — we didn’t miss many.”

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EDGE August | September 2018

LETTER FROM THE MAYOR

Greg recalls one of the things that piqued his interest in coaching, “Seeing his former players, all of these generations of guys, who would stop by his (Jack’s) house just to say hello and catch up,” Greg said. “I saw how real the coach-player relationship could be and how much impact he had in shaping the character of young men.” As a young and aspiring coach, Greg used his grandfather as a source of guidance. “His first piece of advice to me was to learn every player’s first name. To make sure the kids know that you view them as a person, and not just a body.” This surprised Greg. Jack had countless accomplishments to his name and legendary status, but his first step in his role as good coach was getting to know the players. “One of the most special things about him— he would let you know he was proud of you and he let you know that he loved you,” Greg remembers. “He made everybody feel important.” The Salter legacy continues with Greg at the helm of the Covington Lions football team. In due course, through his own talent and skill, he has forged a reputation as a winning coach and an excellent leader. In 2017, he led the Lions to an undefeated season, and came very near to a state championship. He knows that even in the midst of his own success, his legacy will be his own to achieve, and his mark in this life will be different from his grandfather’s. But comparisons to his grandfather are nothing new. “I don’t try to be him. Honestly, I just try to make him proud,” he says. “Every success I have will include some piece of him — what he taught me, or how he inspired me— he’s a part of that. He will never be forgotten.” Greg thinks, talks and breathes football, and he works to be a positive male role model for his players, so that like him, they have an example to help lead them into their futures. “The one quality I want my players to have is to be a good father,” he noted. “It doesn’t matter if they become a doctor or a bum. They will never disappoint me if they are there for their kids. When it’s all said and done as a coach, I know I’m going to be judged on the wins and losses,” he said. “But it’s about so much more than that. I tell my players the scoreboard will never define them, and it will never define me.” Greg often hears his grandfather in the wisdom he offers his own players. “I can remember a game where one of my players fumbled the ball on the first play, the kickoff return, and when he came back to the sidelines he started to tear up,” he recalls. “I said, ‘Son, I wouldn’t love you any more if you had run that ball in for a touchdown.’ I didn’t even realize it at the time, but it was my grandfather’s own words he had said to me when I was one of his players.” Through his own personal investment and the advice and wisdom from his late grandfather, he hopes to lead his Covington High players to success both on and off the field to fall back on throughout their lives.

PHOTO BY JERRY COTTRELL

Greetings! As we begin the new school year, I encourage drivers to be safe and adhere to the speed limits in school zones. I would also like to take a moment to wish all of the students in our community the best of luck and success this academic year. I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the Northshore Community Foundation and its task force, which have worked tirelessly to develop the recently announced regional identity – THE NORTHSHORE: NORTH OF YOUR EXPECTATIONS. The City of Covington is embracing this exciting new endeavor that highlights the people and interests of the place we call home. The Northshore’s new branding can be found at www.northofyourexpectations.com, which promotes and shares information about our local lifestyle. I welcome all to visit downtown Covington this August and September for several upcoming events. In August, White Linen Night for Public Art and The Exchange Club of West St. Tammany’s event, The Ultimate Tailgate Party, will bring end of summer fun. In September, join The Boys and Girls Club for Hoops for Kids, enjoy an On Stage performance at the Fuhrmann Auditorium and volunteer with Keep Covington Beautiful for the litter sweep of the Bogue Falaya River. I invite all of you to visit our website at covla. com and Facebook page – City of Covington – as well as our Cultural Arts and Events, Recreation, Police, and Fire Department Facebook pages for information and updates. As always, it is my honor to serve as your mayor.

MIKE COOPER City of Covington Mayor