Kristyn Sandberg joined the Hofstra softball staff as an assistant coach in September 2021.
Sandberg brings a wealth of experience across several levels of softball to Hofstra, having coached at the high school and college level, while also playing professionally in the National Pro Fastpitch league. Selected fifth overall in the 2012 NPF Draft by the USSSA Pride, Sandberg played for the Pride from 2012-14, Pennsylvania Rebellion from 2015-16, Texas Charge in 2017, and Chicago Bandits from 2018-19.
A two-time NPF Champion, Sandberg appeared in over 300 games in the NPF and was a consistent threat throughout her career as she recorded over 45 home runs and tallied 150 RBI. For her efforts, Sandberg collected several awards from the league including NPF/Miken Rookie of the Year accolades in 2012, All-NPF honors in 2015 and 2018, was a Rawlings Gold Glove Finalist in 2017, and most recently, earned an NPF All-Decade Team distinction.
Sandberg, a local native of Island Park, spent her undergraduate career at the University of Georgia and was named a second-team NFCA All-American after garnering first-team All-Region honors. She played a key role in leading the Bulldogs to the Women's College World Series in 2009 and 2010 while earning SEC All-Freshmen Team honors in 2009 and First Team All-SEC recognition in 2012. Sandberg completed her collegiate playing career ranked in the top-10 in several offensive categories, including home runs (fourth), slugging percentage (sixth) and walks (fifth).
Having spent time at Louisiana State University as a graduate assistant and Syracuse University as an assistant coach, she brings several years of collegiate coaching experience to Hempstead. Sandberg spent three seasons on the LSU staff, including the Tigers 2015 run to the Women's College World Series. At Syracuse, Sandberg worked specifically with catchers and outfielders, was the assistant hitting coach, and helped the Orange achieve several single-season program records including fielding percentage, batting average, hits, and on-base percentage. Under her tutelage, six players garnered NFCA All-Region honors, while in 2017, Sandberg mentored an NFCA third team All-American and USA Player of the Year Top-10 finalist in Sydney O'Hara.
Sandberg most recently made a stop as the head varsity softball coach at nearby Sacred Heart Academy in Hempstead. Ranked #17 in New York State, Sandberg guided seven All-Catholic League selections, two All-State honorees, two All-Long Island Selections, while six players were featured on Newsday's Top-100 players from Long Island.
A standout student and member of the community, Sandberg was a four-time SEC Academic Honor Roll member and was named to the 2012 SEC Community Service Team. She received CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Second team honors and was a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Sandberg earned her undergraduate degree in health and physical education in December 2012 and her master's degree in kinesiology from LSU in 2015.
