NE10 40th Anniversary Home Page
Her Bentley University volleyball teams won 758 matches during Sandy Hoffman’s 32 years at the helm, a Northeast-10 record and a total that still ranks ninth in Division II history. There were 11 conference regular season championships, nine NE10 tournament crowns and 11 NCAA Division II tournament berths. And in 2014, induction into the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
With achievements of that magnitude, it’s no surprise that Hoffman has been chosen to be included among the Northeast-10’s top 40 individuals. But those numbers don’t fully document the contributions this talented coach and administrator made before cancer took her in 2015.
Joey Pacis, who succeeded Hoffman in 2014 after serving as her assistant the year before, faced Hoffman numerous times during his 11 years at Merrimack College, including eight as head coach.
“Sandy always had her teams well prepared and feeling confident,” remembered Pacis, who has twice received the Sandy Hoffman award since the NE10 named its Coach of the Year award in her honor. “As an opponent, there was an intimidation factor that came with playing Sandy’s teams - intimidating in the way they entered the gym, warmed-up and carried themselves on the court.
“When Sandy approached me about coaching with her, I was honored,” continued Pacis. “Everything I thought about how she conducted herself as a coach – confident, thorough and caring – was evident from Day 1. In addition to training her players to perform on the court, there was additional effort put into developing her volleyball players as students and mature young women. Sandy’s positive impact on Bentley University Volleyball is felt among the scores of volleyball alumni over three decades and continues whole-heartedly with how I manage our program. It has truly been an honor and privilege for me to come full-circle with my relationship, first as colleagues then as friends, with Sandy, and to do my best to honor her legacy with year after year.”
One of those alums is Kristine Manning, who played for Sandy from 2006-09 and later spent four years as part of Pacis’ staff.
“Sandy recruited players from all across the country, which made the team tight knit,” said Manning. “The result was not only in wins and championships but also in friendships that have lasted decades beyond graduation. On the court, Sandy taught us to ‘get tough’ which meant to be relentless. To never give up on yourself because that meant letting your team down. Players, colleagues, close friends and family all rallied behind Sandy when she was diagnosed with a very rare cancer. It was inspirational to watch her “get tough” and carry on with practices, recruiting, and everything outside of her volleyball world even though she was fighting for her life.”
Bob DeFelice, Bentley’s Director of Athletics from 1991 until last month, praised Hoffman, one of his assistant athletic directors for much of his tenue. “Her Hall of Fame credentials as a volleyball coach pale in comparison to her contributions as an administrator. She played a tremendous role in the growth and development of the athletic department.”
Sandy Hoffman Links of Note:
ABOUT THE NE10
Beginning its 40th anniversary season, the NE10 is an association of 14 diverse institutions serving student-athletes across 24 NCAA Division II sports. Together we build brilliant futures by embracing the journey of every student-athlete.
Each year, 4,500 of those student-athletes compete in conference championships in 24 sports, making the NE10 the largest DII conference in the country in terms of sport sponsorship. Leading the way in the classroom, on the field and within the community, the NE10 is proud of its comprehensive program and the experience it provides student-athletes.
