WALTHAM, Mass. – Long-time Bentley University women's volleyball coach Sandy Hoffman has been selected for the American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the organization announced Thursday. Hoffman and the remainder of the AVCA Class of 2014 will be honored during the AVCA National Convention in Oklahoma City in December.

The 2014 class also includes former Houston, LSU, Iowa and U.S. Junior National Team coach Ruth Nelson and Sandy Vong, a one-time Michigan head coach who has been instrumental in fostering the relationship between the United States and Chinese volleyball teams, organizing over 20 trips to China since 1979.

The AVCA annually recognizes those individuals who have reached the pinnacle of their profession and the sport with induction into the Hall of Fame. In total, there are 66 members who have been enshrined.

"I am very honored and humbled by this recognition, especially since it comes from the American Volleyball Coaches Association, an organization that I am extremely grateful to be a part of," said Hoffman. "The many years of literature, seminars, conventions and networking provided by the AVCA have helped me grow immensely as a coach.  I cherish the relationships I have developed in the volleyball world, and my association with the AVCA has fortified my ties to the best friends and colleagues one could have."

Hoffman, who took over the Bentley volleyball program in just its second year of existence (1982), has amassed an impressive resume that includes a 32-year record of 758-366, nine Northeast-10 Conference regular season championships, the same number of NE-10 tournament titles and 11 NCAA Division II tournament berths.

Fourth in Division II volleyball history in career victories, Hoffman joined the 750-win club last September 29 with a four-set win over St. Michael's College. She's the winningest coach in New England volleyball history and is an eight-time Northeast-10 Coach of the Year, an award that now carries her name.

"Her outstanding record and consistency of success speaks volumes to her being a recipient of this prestigious honor," said Bentley Director of Athletics Bob DeFelice.

Hoffman's impact on volleyball goes above and beyond her win total or any individual accomplishment. She has consistently given back to the game she loves, participating on AVCA and NCAA committees. Additionally, she is a regular at the AVCA Convention to share her knowledge and continue her own growth as a volleyball coach and administrator. Over the years, it would be impossible to count the number of coaches she has touched in her journey on a regional and national level.

Hoffman has been front and center in developing volleyball across New England. She started the New England All-Star Volleyball Camp at Bentley, one of the largest camps in the region.

                Even when faced with adversity, the Waltham resident and Manhasset, N.Y. native has never stopped coaching. While battling adrenal cortical carcinoma, a very rare cancer, she has continued to lead the Falcons and be an inspiration to the Bentley program and others. The 2013 season saw the team tie for second in the NE-10 and Hoffman be recognized as the conference's Coach of the Year.

"Sandy and her teams have exemplified graciousness in defeat and humility in victory time and time again," said Smith College volleyball coach Fran Vandermeer. "She is the ultimate professional and she has created a culture in her program of healthy competition with an emphasis on respect for teammates, coaches, opponents and officials. She should be proud of her quantitative successes, but she should be equally proud of her reputation in the volleyball community."