Hoffman Honored with Patrick R. Damore Distinguished Service Award
Brockport Sports Information Department
Associate Director of Athletics Susan Hoffman retired on August 27, 2021 following over 34 years of service to Brockport. She is being honored by the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) with the Patrick R. Damore Distinguished Service Award and Retiree Award.
The Patrick R. Damore Distinguished Service Award is the highest award given by the conference and honors a retired institutional or conference affiliated individual who has made a significant contribution to the conference and has served the SUNYAC for at least 10 years. The Retiree Award is presented to personnel of full member institutions or the conference office with a minimum of 15 years of service within the conference.
Hoffman was a jack of all trades among the Brockport athletic administration over the years and held countless responsibilities including NCAA compliance and eligibility, scheduling coordination, work study supervision, home event manager, official's liaison, travel and lodging coordinator and athletic weight room liaison. She also held the title's of Senior Women's Administrator, NCAA Compliance and Eligibility coordinator, as well as Academic Support coordinator and Student Athlete Advisory Committee advisor. She was the Title IX coordinator for Intercollegiate Athletics, and she even served as the assistant softball coach for a season. Some of her most recognizable accomplishments include serving as the Event Director for numerous NCAA championships, including football, women's lacrosse, volleyball, soccer, and basketball. She also served as the Director for the National Collegiate Gymnastics Championship and the NCAA Regional Wrestling championship.
Hoffman was instrumental in bringing the NCAA Student Life Skills Program to the department as well as the Freshman Student Athlete Extravaganza and Senior Athlete recognition luncheon. She was also selected twice as the president of the SUNYAC, serving in 1999-2000 and 2008-2009. Hoffman has served on several NCAA committees throughout her career. She served on the NCAA Memberships Committee, and she was the chairperson for the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer and Women's Lacrosse National Championships. As part of her duties on the NCAA Committee's, Susan was responsible for chairing the regional advisory committee (RAC), overseeing selections to national championships, and serving as the NCAA representative during preliminary-round competition and championship finals.
It is rare to attend a Brockport home game without seeing Hoffman on the sideline. That is no small feat considering Brockport has 23 sports and nearly 650 student-athletes each year. Over the last several decades, during rain, snow, or sunshine, everyone has been on the receiving end of Susan's boundless energy. She is a constant, positive, and supportive presence for everyone that dons a Golden Eagle jersey. As an instructor and advisor to SAAC, she is the person in the department that keeps the struggling kids afloat and challenges student-leaders to give back to our community. Susan's commitment to student-athletes and Brockport is special for its intensity and longevity. Hers has been a labor of love spanning over 30 years during which time her door was always open to any student-athlete in need. The Golden Eagles are privileged to have her on their side, supporting their efforts while also pushing them to be the best they can be, on and off the field. While Susan does not ever seek out the spotlight, she is surely one of the reasons for the long history of success that Brockport and SUNYAC athletics have achieved over the years.
A two-sport student-athlete and 1984 SUNY Cortland graduate, Hoffman worked at Upper Arlington School district in Columbus, Ohio while completing her master's degree at The Ohio State University in 1985. At Upper Arlington, she coached girls' soccer at the middle school and high school levels. She was also the ski club and yearbook advisor. Hoffman was the program coordinator at Honda of America fitness center from 1985 – 1987, prior to coming to the College in the fall of 1987.
In 2019, Hoffman was presented with the SUNY Brockport award for Outstanding Service to Students by Director of Athletics Erick Hart and President Heidi MacPherson. The honor was presented to Hoffman for her work at Brockport, where she has dedicated her life to the betterment of every student-athlete that steps foot on campus.
"I have experienced the excitement of winning a National Championship and the agonizing loss of student-athletes in the prime years of their life. Yes the grind was long at times, but what kept me here so long are the people. The coaches and staff all working towards the same goal – student-athlete success. Success in the classroom, in competition and in life." - Susan Hoffman
"Susan has been the foundation of Brockport Athletics for 34+ years. She knows every student-athlete and goes above and beyond to make sure the students have a great experience as a Golden Eagle. She has been a part of the great athletic tradition here at Brockport and has left a legacy that will be impossible to replace." -Erick Hart | Brockport Director of Athletics
"Susan, thank you for your dedication to the Brockport community. Your compassion, leadership and commitment to the betterment of the student experience at Brockport has influenced the lives of thousands. You are a dedicated leader who has inspired so many to become the best version of themselves. You have been the cornerstone of Brockport athletics for the last 34 years. Your steadfast presence on the sidelines will be missed. Congratulations on a resoundingly successful career." -Kris Shanley | Associate Director/SWA University of Rochester
"Susan Hoffman truly means the world to me. She helped me get my start in SAAC, run for board spots, and taught me how to lead and to be a true professional. I can confidently say that I'm not at Boston College running the baseball program here without the help and advice of Susan. I wish her nothing but the best of luck with her retirement!" - Reilly Workman | Former Brockport SAAC President and baseball student-athlete
"Susan is the perfect person to deal with all of the complex issues that come up with students if they have problems or need help. She always had her door open for coaches, students and staff. She was committed to helping everyone! I think fondly of the long hours and long road trips with Susan. We sat in the same bleachers, in good weather and in bad, cheering on our teams in both victory and defeat. Her attitude never changed, she was going to be there for the student-athletes no matter what." - Lin Case '89 | Retired Brockport Athletic Director
"The best days of the academic year were the preseason arrival of our fall student-athletes. And graduation day. Knowing that I played a small part in the success of their collegiate career was so satisfying. I will miss the daily interaction with the staff and student-athletes." - Susan Hoffman
"Brockport and it's student-athletes have been the recipient of such a rare gift. Susan Hoffman's legacy is one of dedication and love which spanned over three decades. Her devotion positively impacted thousands of lives. She is a special person and we will miss her dearly." - Dani Drews | Brockport Assistant Athletic Director
"Over my tenure as a student and coach at SUNY Brockport I have come across some truly special people… but not many have had the overall IMPACT that Susan has. She has been a rock for the department, always going above and beyond for the growth of Brockport Athletics and most importantly the student-athletes. Susan has a special way of making each student and coach feel important. Her genuine care for each and every relationship made for a very personal environment where coaches and athletes felt a part of a family." - Justin Beach | Brockport Head Baseball Coach
"More than anyone I know, Susan cares about the lives of our student-athletes off the field as much as on. She gets to know them as young adults, and they respond to her with great respect and admiration. It has been an absolute pleasure working both by her side and across campus over these past 34 years. Brockport is a better place because she touched our campus, and her indelible mark on our Athletics program will be felt for years to come. I'm going to greatly miss being her colleague, but I know that I'll always be able to call her a true friend." - Mike Andriatch | Brockport Vice President for Advancement
"Susan, you have positively shaped thousands of student-athlete's lives in the SUNY Brockport community. You have always provided a listening ear, sound advice and a wealth of knowledge to student-athletes, coaches and staff. You have guided countless students into successful careers in intercollegiate athletics, many of whom would not be where they are today without your support and leadership. Thank you for your dedication and congratulations on a profoundly successful career." - Morgan Leigh Stout | Brockport Graduate & University of Rochester Varsity Operations Manager "Susan has been the heart and soul of the Brockport athletic department for the past 34 years. She is the go to person for all the student athletes and athletic staff when you need a little pick me up! It is impossible to replace a Susan Hoffman, she will be dearly missed around here, and forever a Golden Eagle!" - John Jackson | Associate Head Athletic Trainer
"While I know she impacts the lives of so many students on campus she has impacted my life beyond words. I would not be the coach that I am today without her continuous support and guidance. There are so many issues that I have encountered over the many seasons both on and off the field; when things get difficult or when I need to be reassured that I am making the right decision the first person that I go to is Susan. She has the amazing ability to listen, provide compassion and direct me down the correct path." - Gary LaPietra | Brockport Head Men's Soccer Coach
"Susan's dedication and love for the student athlete body is evident in the way she communicates with the students. She knows most student athletes by name and by the sport they play. I owe a big part of my success at Brockport to Susan's commitment to student athletes." - Brooke Leddon | Former Brockport Student Athlete
Hoffman will be recognized by the conference and the Governing Body along with the other 2022 award recipients at the SUNYAC Awards Banquet in Syracuse in May.
