Hempstead, NY - Each week, leading up to the 2019 Hall of Fame Dinner on June 17, GoHofstra.com will feature one of the five individuals and one team being inducted in the Class of 2019. Today, former Hofstra University administrator Larry Bloom is featured.

The Hall of Fame Golf Outing and Dinner will take place at the Huntington Crescent Club. Dinner and golf reservations, as well as sponsorship opportunities are available online. You can also contact the Athletic Development Office at (516) 463-4919 or prideclub@hofstra.edu with additional inquiries.

"Larry is one of the architects of Hofstra Athletics," Hofstra Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Revenue Officer Jay Artinian says. "He helped shaped the athletic department into what it is today, not only from an infrastructure standpoint but a philosophical one, as well. On a personal note, saying Larry is a good friend is an understatement. He is family."

Bloom, a long-time administrator in the Hofstra Department of Athletics, served as the director of sports facilities from 1987 until his retirement in 2006.


During his tenure, he assumed additional responsibilities, including overseeing the Hofstra University Bookstore and travel agency operations for four years. He later assumed the position of facilities manager for the University residence halls.

During his time as director of sports facilities and later director of athletic facilities, Bloom was actively involved in the construction of the University Recreation Center, the renovation of Joseph M. Margiotta Hall and James M. Shuart Stadium, the installation of several artificial athletic fields (including the installation of the Hofstra Soccer Stadium), and the construction of the David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex.


While he oversaw this construction and promoted use of University facilities, the athletic facilities grew to gross almost $1 million annually in revenue. During his tenure, the University hosted many events in the athletic facilities, including visits by Presidents George H.W. Bush and William Jefferson Clinton, as well as Vice President Dan Quayle and Senator John McCain. However, his most memorable accomplishment occurred after his retirement when he was asked by President Stuart Rabinowitz to return to the Hofstra to coordinate the University's bid and subsequent hosting of the third and final presidential debate on October 15, 2008.


Bloom previously served on both the Nassau and Long Island Sports Commissions and was honored by the Nassau Lacrosse and Football Coaches Associations as well as the New York State High School Athletic Administrators, for his work in promoting high school athletics at Hofstra University. In 2018 Bloom was the recipient of the Hofstra Athletics Jack Lenz Award in recognition of his exceptional service to the Hofstra Athletics Pride Club and Hofstra Athletics.


While he has received numerous honors and great recognition for his many accomplishments, Bloom lists the renovation of Margiotta Hall and James M. Shuart Stadium, the construction of the Mack Sports Complex, and assisting then-Director of Athletics Harry Royle in acquiring and staging the NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship quarterfinals at Hofstra University as his proudest professional achievements.


Bloom earned a B.A. in political science and a M.Ed. from Northeastern University in 1969 and 1973, respectively. He began his administrative career in 1970 at Northeastern University, first as building director and then as assistant director of housing. In 1973 he relocated to Long Island University - C.W. Post Campus as director of housing; in 1976 he became assistant director of athletics.


Now fully retired, Bloom, who was an avid golfer, enjoys traveling worldwide with his wife, Lainie. Larry has extensively traveled, both domestically and internationally, and has visited five of the seven continents. Among his most memorable trips was as an observer with the New York-Long Island hosting delegation at the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was able to visit the former stables of the Czar's Cavalry in St. Petersburg as his grandfather was a member of the Cavalry.