Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame
DR. SYLVIA J. GIALLOMBARDO
Dr. Sylvia Giallombardo developed the women’s athletics program and was the first director of women’s athletics at Hofstra, serving in that capacity from 1961 through 1979. As director, she instituted 10 varsity sports for women and introduced volleyball and women’s lacrosse as sports in the 1970’s. She created the first athletic scholarship program for female student-athletes at Hofstra and was a key figure in the advancing Hofstra’s athletics program, both men and women, during her tenure. Giallombardo also coached the women’s basketball team from 1958 through 1974, and served as coach of the softball, tennis and fencing programs during her tenure as director of women’s athletics.
In 2006, Giallombardo was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame. In addition, the athletic department’s annual female scholar-athlete of the year award is named in her honor.
In addition to her duties within the athletic department, Giallombardo was part of the Hofstra faculty. She joined the faculty in 1957 as a physical education instructor and has the distinction of being the longest-serving faculty member in University history, having served 46 years in a variety of capacities. In 1961, she moved into the role of chair of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, a position she held until 1985. At that time, as a tenured professor, Giallombardo became vice dean of the School of Education. She later secured the position of associate provost and associate dean of faculties, and at the time of her retirement in 2003 was vice provost for academic affairs. Following retirement, Giallombardo was named professor emerita in physical education and sport sciences.
Outside of Hofstra, Giallombardo co-founded the Long Island Women’s Lacrosse Association, and held the title of women’s fencing foil champion of Long Island in 1973-74.
Giallombardo is a 1957 graduate of Boston University and earned her master’s degree from Hofstra in 1964. She would earn her PhD from New York University in 1979.
