Hofstra University Athletics

A men’s lacrosse student-athlete for two seasons, Vinnie Sombrotto was a member of the Hofstra team in 1979 and 1980 and is considered one of the greatest lacrosse players to ever play.

Sombrotto was a United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association Second Team All-American selection at midfield in 1980 after scoring 37 goals and 17 assists. The 37 goals are the 16th-highest single season total in program history, and the 54 points rank 25th on the single season list. He also served as team co-captain that season. 

Following his collegiate career, Sombrotto represented the United States on four World Lacrosse Championship teams (1982, 1986, 1990, 1994), winning the gold medal each time. He was a two-time Team USA captain and was named to the 1982 All-World Team. 

Sombrotto also enjoyed an illustrious career as a club player for Long Island-Hofstra, winning 10 U.S. Club National Championships and three National Club Player of the Year honors. A 15-time All-Club selection, he also earned Newsday All-Century Team accolades and is a Krongard Award recipient, the highest honor in club lacrosse. 

In addition to his college and club lacrosse success, Sombrotto also played professional lacrosse for the New York Saints and Long Island Lizards between 1993 and 2002. He scored 38 goals and recorded 110 assists in his 71-game career with the two teams. Following the conclusion of his playing career, Sombrotto served as an assistant coach for the Lizards before a one-year stint as head coach in 2004.

A member of multiple halls of fame, Sombrotto has been inducted into the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame, the Long Island-Metropolitan Lacrosse Hall of Fame, and the Port Washington Youth Activities Hall of Fame. Sombrotto also serves on the voting committee of the Professional Lacrosse Hall of Fame. The Hofstra men’s lacrosse locker room is named in his honor (as well as Coach Harry Royle) and was dedicated in 2008.

Sombrotto is currently a vice president for business development with The Whitmore Group.