Kristin Hoffman
In June, Northern Illinois volleyball four-year standout setter Kristin Hoffman (Batavia, Ill./Batavia) was named one of 430 nominees for the prestigious NCAA Woman of the Year award.
On Thursday, she entered a whole new territory by being chosen as one of the top 30 honorees for the honor, and one of 10 in NCAA Division I.
“My original selection to just be nominated — I was surprised and grateful,” Hoffman said. “I did not intend to make the top 30. I was just thankful that I was selected by NIU and the Mid-American Conference to represent both. When I found out I made the top 30 I was overwhelmed. There are no words to describe my feelings toward representing NIU volleyball, the university, and the MAC. To have my name with the other 30 selections is an extreme honor and I feel very blessed to have this experience right now.”
The top 30 honorees are comprised of 10 from each NCAA Division and cover a variety of NCAA sports.
Hoffman will have a chance to be one of three finalists from each division in September and has already been invited to be honored at a ceremony in Indianapolis on Oct. 14 for being a top 30 honoree.
Among some notable achievements from the top 30 honorees are a cumulative 3.87 GPA, more than 90 Academic All-American selections, more than 80 All-America choices, and they have volunteered for more than 375 organizations throughout their collegiate careers.
As team captain, Hoffman helped lead the Huskies to the claim the MAC Regular season title for the first time since 2001 this past season. She became the first Huskie to be named MAC Setter of the Year after leading the country in assists with 12.27 per set. She was named to American Volleyball Coaches Association All-America honorable mention to become a three-time All-American (Honorable Mention AVCA, two-time CoSIDA Academic All-American). She ranks second all-time at NIU in assists (4,392) and 19th in digs (796).
Outside of athletics Hoffman participated in an AmeriCorps program called Students in Service where she was required to log 300 hours of community service. Through Student in Service she worked at a daycare, tutored elementary school students, volunteered at a summer Girl Scout camp and played games at a nursing home. She also was a member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee where she served as the Community Service Chair this past year.
Allison McGlaughlin
In the classroom Hoffman graduated with a degree in history and a 3.97 GPA. She was five time member of the Northern Illinois Deans list and Honors Program. She was named to Capital One Academic All-America® First Team along with classmate Allison McGlaughlin (Third Team) to become the first teammates in NIU and MAC history to earn the recognition in the same season and also earned Capital One Academic All-Region First Team recognition.
Having already graduated from NIU, Hoffman used her prestigious NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship that she recently earned and is currently attending law school at Marquette.
Now in its 22nd year, the NCAA Women of the Year honors female student-athletes who have distinguished themselves throughout their college careers in academic achievement, athletic excellence, community services and leadership.
To be eligible for the award, a female student-athlete must have completed intercollegiate eligibility in her primary sport by the end of the 2012 spring season, graduated no later than the end of the summer 2012 term and achieved a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
For more information on NIU volleyball and Huskie athletics, visit www.niuhuskies.com.
