David Mondt and Curtis Jones oral history interview, 2025 June 16

Oral history interview with David Mondt and Curtis Jones conducted by Stefani Evans, Claytee White, and Bethany Dayton on June 16, 2025 for the Game On! An Oral History of Las Vegas Sports project. In this interview, Mondt and Jones discuss being part of the Las Vegas Gay Softball League. Mondt is the current Commissioner for the league, and Jones is a longtime player who has been inducted into the Hall of Fame for his performance and contributions. Mondt begins by telling about his early life in Missouri and Florida, attending college, and learning to love journalism. He eventually moved to Las Vegas in December 2004 to begin his career with local newspaper, the Las Vegas Sun. Jones then recalls his childhood, and moving frequently because his father was in the military. During his senior year of high school, the family again relocated to Las Vegas, and his family arrived in August 1972. He attended UNLV and received a Bachelors in Early Childhood Education and a Masters in Educational Administration. Both then discuss the founding of the Las Vegas Gay Softball League (LVGSL). Mondt discusses how his introduction into softball was aided by Jones being an incredible coach. The LVGSL continues to grow, and the league has had many players make it to national championships and the Hall of Fame. Both describe their hope to make a place that is inclusive and lets players feel free to truly be themselves. Digital audio available, no transcript available.