Emily Hoffman, a junior from Malden, Mass. has been chosen for the focus on this installment of the "Endicott Student-Athlete Spotlight" for her efforts both on and off the field. Hoffman is one of a small handful of student-athletes who manages to participate in athletics while also majoring in Athletic Training at Endicott. The junior has been an integral member of the softball team holding a .438 slugging percentage last season with 19 RBI's. We were able to catch up with Hoffman and ask her a few questions for the Spotlight.

Why did you choose to be a Division III student-athlete?
I chose to be a Division III student-athlete because I feel like Division III is most accommodating and accepting of our academic schedules and I've always considered academics a priority. I knew that I would have an extremely time consuming academic schedule because of athletic training, but I knew that it would be manageable because Division III provides a great balance between the two and doesn't make us chose one or the other.

What do you like most about being a student-athlete at Endicott?
I love that I've been able to form so many great relationships with so many dedicated and inspiring people by being a student athlete. My teammates have become a second family to me because we spend so much time together!

What are some of the greatest lessons you have learned from being a student-athlete?
I've learned that time management is key when it comes to being a student athlete. Between running back and forth from softball practice to clinical, it's been so important that I stay on top of my work so that I'm not doing everything at the very last minute.

Who have been the most influence people in your athletic career?
My family as well as my coaches and teammates, both past and present.

How would your teammates describe you?
I think my teammates would describe me as positive and encouraging. I've realized that athletics is equally mental as it is physical and how great of an impact positive encouragement from your teammates and coaches can have on your performance.

Do you have any pre-game/pre-event rituals? If so, what are they?
I need to listen to music on the bus and while we're warming up! I feel like if it's too silent during the bus ride or while we're doing our warm up drills, I start to think way too much about the game.
 
What is your greatest sports moment?
My greatest sports moment would definitely have to be last year when we beat WNEC for the CCC championship in extra innings (15 to be exact...)!

What internships have you completed (or are a part of now)? What benefit have you gotten out of them?
Freshman and sophomore year gave me the opportunity to work with several different fall and spring teams here at Endicott for 2-4 week periods. This year, I was able to do a semester-long internship at Peabody High School, spending the majority of my time with the football team. This benefited me so much because I was able to work in a new environment which was really out of my comfort zone at first. It taught me a lot about having confidence in everything I do and reassured me that athletic training is definitely what I want to do with my life.

If you have been involved in community service projects, what project has been the most rewarding and why?
I'd say the community service project that has been the most rewarding was last year when the softball team worked to build a brand new playground for middle school kids. They didn't have anywhere to play before that, so providing them with a brand new playground they could use anytime was awesome.

Name three things on your "bucket list".
1. Travel to Ireland 2. Go to a Patriots game 3. Learn how to ski/snowboard
 
Where do you see yourself in 10 years after graduation? What is your dream job?

I see myself having gone to graduate school for athletic training and working as an AT at a high school or college.

What would you say to someone currently in high school who is considering attending Endicott? 
Endicott has provided me with the best experience of my life. The connections that you make here and the friendships that you develop are certainly ones that are going to last you a lifetime.
 
Is there something about you that we don't know? Tell is something special about yourself that we haven't asked!
Ketchup genuinely freaks me out...