Pope John Paul Puts Up A Fight, But Hofman Reaches 1,000 Wins

To understand the impact University School head coach Rich Hofman has had on baseball players in South Florida over the years, one needs only to listen to Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, considered by many to be one of the best major league players of all-time. A-Rod took time out before the Yankees game Tuesday night to give his thoughts regarding his former high school coach.

“Coach Hofman’s lessons still impact me today,” Rodriguez told BrowardHighSchoolBaseball.com, “He was a great motivator who stressed loyalty and respect, and took pride in his responsibilities to his players.”

Shortly after the statement, Rodriguez’s Yanks took the field in the Bronx, and Hofman’s University School team did the same in Davie. By the end of the evening, Hofman had done something that no coach in Florida history has accomplished.

Behind junior Michael White’s four-hit, eight-strikeout performance at Nova Southeastern University, the University School Suns defeated Pope John Paul II 3-0 to give Hofman his 1,000th career victory with family and friends, as well as former coaches and players in attendance to savor the historic moment.

“Tonight’s a good night for coach Hofman,” White said. “He always focuses on us. Everything’s all about us, getting our seniors into colleges, getting us better every day. It’s nice to have a night for coach Hofman because he deserves it.”

Hofman’s record stands at 1,000-258-17 during his six-decade, 42-year career, and he ranks first all-time among Florida coaches and 13th among the National High School Federation’s all-time winningest coaches in the nation.

“It’s kind of a cliche, but people say it hasn’t really set in it,” Hofman said. “I was more worried about winning the game. Obviously, it means a lot. To have kids celebrate with you, to have family and other coaches and other people who have supported you over the years in the stands offering congratulations. It means a lot to me. Winning games is nice, but one thing that sports affords, baseball, in my case, is the opportunity for relationships, some with players, some with coaches, some with parents, some with administrators. They all have to work together if you’re going to be successful…In the end, my name will be associated on paper with 1,000 wins, and that to me is special, but that’s just on paper. The relationships are real.”

Hofman ironically missed out on a chance Friday to record the historic win against Westminster Christian, the powerhouse he built in Miami. University School and Westminster Christian played for the title of Hofman’s Hall of Fame National Classic in Orlando. The Suns were winning 6-0 before the Warriors rallied for eight runs in the final four innings to win 8-6. But Hofman’s wife, Jo, said they were happy to hit the milestone at home.

“It was a little disappointing, but to be honest, we really wanted to be home for the win so everyone can be there,” Jo Hofman said. “Of course, we would have taken the win last week, but none of these people who are here now, our family and friends, would have been there.”

Some of Hofman’s five children and 11 grandchildren were there to help him celebrate.

“It’s a great night,” said Hofman’s son Dave, who’s coached with him since 2003 and is University’s pitching coach. “A lot of countless hours, ups and downs, mostly ups. This is an unbelievable achievement and accomplishment. I’m just proud to be a part of it.”

University (17-6) built an early lead as Sebastian Diaz scored twice and Diego Perez once to put the Suns up 3-0 after three innings, but Pope John Paul II (11-11) fought to the end, loading the bases in the last inning. A groundout at first base ended the threat and preserved the win.

Pope John Paul II pitcher Connor Norton threw a complete game and allowed five hits while striking out six.

Eagles coach Peter Graffeo has known Hofman for years, and his son, Peter, played for Hofman at Westminster Academy from 2003-2008.

“It’s amazing,” Graffeo said of Hofman’s accomplishment. “It’s just his longevity. He’s legendary. He deserves it. He’s a great coach.”

Hofman’s path to success started in 1969 when he began his career by coaching Westminster Christian to a 2-13-1 season. There, he built an athletic department from scratch, forming baseball, football and basketball programs as the athletic director. Hofman made that subpar ’69 season a distant memory by guiding the Warriors to eight state championships and two national championships (1992 by USA Today and Baseball America; 1996 by USA Today, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball). His 1992 team finished 33-2 and his 1996 team 36-0-1. The 1996 season was the closest his teams have come to having a perfect season. Hofman’s teams have won 30 or more games 10 times.

Rodriguez and former major-leaguer Doug Mientkiewicz played for Hofman on that 1992 team.

Westminster Christian won three consecutive titles from 1996-1998 before Hofman left for Westminster Academy. He picked up right where he left off at Westminster Christian and directed the Lions to two state and national runner-up titles in his first two years. The five consecutive state titles is a state record.

Westminster Academy remained among the top programs in the state until Hofman left in 2006 to coach at then-6A school Piper. Two years later, Hofman retired, but he came out of retirement in 2010 and set his sights on another challenge by taking over as coach at University School.

Along with the wins have come plenty of accolades. Hofman was named the Coach of the Decade for the 1990’s by Baseball America, and his program was recognized as one of the top 10 high school programs in the nation by Baseball America in its 10-year anniversary issue. He has been named National Coach of the Year seven times and is a member of five hall of fames.

Reaching this milestone of 1,000 wins doesn’t mean Hofman is ready to call it a career. Not just yet.

“I’m going to play it year by year,” he said. “If the school continues to support me like they have the first two years and my son and I can coach together and do some things, we’ll just see where it takes us. I’m not going to quit tomorrow. There’s a lot of people who made commitments to come here and play for me and I don’t want to let them down either, but there’s going to come a time sooner or later when it gets to be a little too much for you, but I still have some energy yet.”

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