Hofstra University Athletics

Esaí R. Vélez, a longtime coach in the Volleyball Federation of Puerto Rico, is now in his fifth season as an assistant coach for the Hofstra Volleyball program in 2018.

During his first season with the Pride, he helped lead Hofstra to a Colonial Athletic Association title and a berth in the NCAA Tournament. He followed that up by assisting Hofstra to a regular season CAA title in 2015. In 2016 he was part of a staff that saw the Pride win 20 matches for the third consecutive season and last year he helped guide a young squad to 18 wins and a spot in the CAA semifinals. 

Vélez came to Hofstra having spent the last five years as an assistant coach, scout and statistician for the Volleyball Federation of Puerto Rico. During his tenure he was part of one women’s professional championship squad in 2012 (Lancheras de Catano) and two men’s teams (Mets de Guaynabo and Patriotas de Lares) that reached the finals in 2010 and 2013, respectively.

Vélez also brought a wealth of international coaching experience to the Pride as he has taken various teams to 29 FIVB competitions (NORCECA, World League, Grand Prix, World Championships and Club World Championships) in 15 countries since 2009.

In addition to his work on the professional and international level, Vélez also has served as an assistant coach on the collegiate level since 2010. In 2010 he helped the University of Puerto Rico women’s volleyball team to a National University League championship and then did the same for the Eastern (P.R.) University men’s volleyball team in 2011, 2012 and 2013. 

Since his arrival at Hofstra, Vélez has also coached extensively with CALI (Club Ace Long Island). He has worked with a variety of teams within the club, including several of their top teams. 

Vélez, who holds a degree in secondary education from the University of Puerto Rico, served as a middle school history teacher at Colegio San Felipe for nearly two years. He earned a master’s in public affairs from Eastern in 2013.