Al Hoffman Dies at 75, St. Clair College loses founding father
The St. Clair College had to bear a huge loss this Monday when one of its founding father, Al Hoffman, died of illness. Hoffman, one of the pioneers of the Athletics Department of the college, was 75 years old.
The emotional chasm created by the death of the legend will definitely leave the college bereft. Hoffman, who himself acknowledged his association with the college as life-long, observed and supervised the creation of the athletics department of the college
that came into being in 1967.
During his association with the college, Hoffman worked as the Athletics Director and Coach for the team. He provided his input in beefing up the student services until he chose to retire back in 1995.
Amid the athletics acumen he acquired, he was also selected as the President of the Ontario Colleges Athletics Association and as the President of the Canadian Colleges Athletic Association.
Owing to his services to athletics, Hoffman was inducted to the Windsor/Essex County Sports Hall of Fame, three years ago.
Remembering his services for the college and for athletics at large, Jack Costello, his friend and co-worker said, “He made a lot of significant contributions to the college and college life. The institution is a lot better place for having him there. The
college has lost a good friend. I have lost a good friend and I know I’m saying that on behalf of many people from the college”.
Gerry Brumpton, another colleague of Hoffman said, “He played a big role in making college athletics what they are. He was responsible for major changes across the province. He was behind a lot of it”.
Adding to his remarks, Costello said that Hoffman was a visionary leader. He had always worked on implementing measures that would raise the bar of performance among students in both, education and athletics.
Not only that, Costello said that the Hoffman was himself a competent person, and it was his fine qualities that made him emerge as a competent coach and an effective administrator.
Al Hoffman’s association with the college was extraordinary and beyond limits. He maintained ties with the college even after he formally stopped working for it.
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