Hempstead, NY - A pair of women with major connections to the Hofstra University Department of Athletics were inducted into the inaugural class of the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame this past Wednesday. 

Nathalie Smith and Lorraine Hoffman were part of a 28-person class, which represented 23 high schools and included athletes, coaches, administrators, contributors and officials. The event took place at Crest Hollow County Club in Woodbury, New York. 

"We're always excited to see members of the Hofstra Athletics Family being honored for their outstanding contributions to education and athletics," commented Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. "Coaches Smith and Hoffman certainly represent an important part of our history and it's nice to see their work with students being recognized. On behalf of the Hofstra University community we also extend our congratulations to Judy and the other 25 inductees into the inaugural class of the Nassau County Hall of Fame."  

Smith was inducted into the officials category, while Hoffman was part of the coaches category. 

Smith served as head coach of the Hofstra Field Hockey, Volleyball and Women's Lacrosse programs and was chair of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department, as well as an associate professor of physical education. She was the first coach of the volleyball club team, which she developed into a varsity program in 1974 and coached for three years. In 1975 she started the women's lacrosse club, which became a varsity sport in 1976, and coached for five years. Nathalie coached the field hockey team from 1965 through 1970 and then again in 1973.










Hoffman, who passed away in 2014, was a longtime educator who came to Hofstra in 1987 after spending 27 years working at Massapequa High School. A teacher and coach, Hoffmann taught physical education and coached gymnastics, field hockey and lacrosse, while also serving as the chairperson of the health and physical education department. Hoffmann also coached the girls basketball team at Massapequa for 20 years, capturing numerous conference titles along the way. Hoffman served as head women's basketball coach at Hofstra from 1987 to 1990 and was a longtime supporter of Pride Athletics.










In addition to Smith and Hoffman, Judy Salerno, a longtime supporter of Pride Athletics, was also inducted in the administrator category. 

Salerno started her career at Baldwin and continued in the Bellmore-Merrick School District where she spent 32 years as a teacher. She still serves as the state coordinator of the modified committee.