For the past 24 seasons, Sandy Hollander has been a constant in the Buffalo State softball coach’s box. She has been a thorn in the side of umpires, a worthy adversary for opposing coaches, and most importantly a committed role model to hundreds of young women that have played for her program.

Her spirited, many would say, fiery personality would never allow her six-year struggle with cancer to overshadow her priorities, what she lived for – her son, her family, her team, her student-athletes, her college. She lived every day by the same mantra she insisted of her players – “Don’t waste a today.”

Hollander, 52, who impacted the experiences of thousands of Buffalo State students over the past 27 years as a coach, trainer and administrator, passed away on Monday evening April 2. She leaves behind her son Alex, 10. 

“This is incredibly sad news for our athletics family,” said director of athletics Jerry Boyes.  “For the past 27 years, Sandy has coached, taken care of, and nurtured countless student-athletes.  She demanded excellence from her student-athletes.  She persevered and provided great life lessons to her players and to all of us in the athletics department.  This is a terrible loss and Sandy will be deeply missed by us all.”

Hollander made her name at the college and nationally as Buffalo State’s head softball coach since 1989. The Bengals enjoyed great success during Hollander’s tenure.  She ranks in the Top-25 among all-time Division III coaches in victories with an overall record of 562-342-2, while claiming three SUNYAC titles and making eight trips to the NCAA Division III playoffs.

Hollander was originally hired at the college as an assistant athletic trainer in 1985 and was later promoted to head athletic trainer, a position she held until 2007.  She was promoted to Assistant Director of Athletics and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) in 2009.  Hollander also spent time as the athletics department’s equipment manager, assistant softball and assistant soccer coach.

In January 2006, Hollander was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and underwent and extensive treatment program.  In that season, Hollander was in the Bengals’ dugout for all 42 games and led the team to a 30-12 overall record and a third-place showing at the SUNYAC Championships.

In January 2007, Hollander discovered that the cancer had spread to her lungs.  Back undergoing treatment, again, Hollander did not miss a single game, leading her Bengals to a 27-11 overall mark and their sixth-consecutive SUNYAC playoff appearance, where they placed third.  In 2008, Hollander was unable to travel to Florida with her team as she recovered from surgery, but returned to the dugout when the Bengals opened regular season play.  She was her same fiery self, keeping umpires on their toes and led her team to a 28-15 overall record and an appearance in the SUNYAC Championship game.

She continued to fight cancer for the past four years, but remained committed to mentoring the young women on the softball team and was a constant fixture in the coach’s box.  In 2009, she led Bengals to a school record 34 wins and the program’s fourth SUNYAC Championship.  Buffalo State advanced to the championship game in the NCAA regional, falling one win shy of advancing to its first College World Series. Hollander again led the Bengals to an appearance in the 2011 SUNYAC title game.

In all, she collected 17 20-win seasons, and four 30-win campaigns.  She was named SUNYAC Coach of the Year four times (1990, 1996, 2008 and 2009) and guided her team to the first of three SUNYAC Championships in 1996. The Bengals claimed their second conference title under Hollander in 2000 and added the third in 2009.  In 2009, she was also honored as the ECAC Upstate Coach of the Year.  In 1992 and 1993, she led the program to consecutive New York State championships and was named New York State and Regional Coach of the Year by the Softball Coaches Association. In 1991, Hollander’s Bengals were ranked as high as ninth in the nation.

Hollander mentored six All-Americans, more than 50 All-Region performers, and 83 players who gained All-SUNYAC recognition. Among more than 50 players gaining All-ECAC status were three players who were also named ECAC Player of the Year.

Hollander was inducted into the Western New York Softball Hall of Fame in Nov., 2005. She was also enshrined in the Kenmore West Senior High School Hall of Fame this past fall and was a 2008 recipient of the SUNYAC Award of Valor.

A 1981 graduate of Indiana University, Hollander also earned a master’s degree from Canisius College in 1990.