William Hofmann ‘84

Billy is a proud Queens native and Crusader for life. He was born on August 25th, 1966, in St. Albans Naval Hospital during his father’s tour in Vietnam. Billy was raised in Old Howard Beach, Queens, the first child and only son of Buddy and Carolyn Hofmann. He has two younger sisters, Nancy (Crocker), and Lynn (Lynch) all of whom attended Our Lady of Grace Grammar School. From a young age, Billy aspired to be a strong athlete, playing CYO basketball, baseball, and won his first championship as a member of the 1976 Diocesan Championship swimming team, coached by his late Dad. Billy entered Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School in 1980, and focused his athletic energies towards basketball, having the great good fortune to play on the varsity basketball team under the leadership of legendary Hall of Fame Coach Don Kent.

He was a member of Coach Kent’s Final Four Cinderella team in 1982 / 83, beating three CHSAA powerhouse teams – Molloy 70-69, Rice 82-67, and Tolentine (who were going for their 3rd straight city title)70-67.

Under Coach Kent’s guidance, Billy developed into a solid basketball player and was starting center on 1983/84 varsity team. He set CHSAA playoff rebounding record (21 rebounds) in the Quarterfinals vs. Xavier High School. Billy was picked to play in the Senior Classic All Star Basketball Game at Mount St. Michaels High School, Bronx – Brooklyn / Queens vs. Bronx / Manhattan.

Billy attended college on a full athletic scholarship. Billy played basketball at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY for the late NBA Hall of Fame player Coach Bobby Wanzer (Rochester Royals) and played NCAA Division 2 basketball at Dominican University in Orangeburg, New York, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing Management. Billy was inducted into the Msgr. McClancy Memorial High School Athletic Hall of Fame on April 9th, 2016.

After graduation, Billy spent a short time on Wall Street and worked with his dad at Local 12 Heat and Frost Insulators Union before moving into sales and development in the beverage industry. Billy has pursued several opportunities in sales and management in the past 30 years in the beer industry working for great companies such as Phoenix Beehive Beer Distributors, Beck’s North America, InBev USA, Anheuser Busch, Long Trail Brewery, and is currently Area Sales Manager in Metro New York for FIFCO USA (formerly North American Breweries) – distributors of Labatt Brewery, Genesee Brewery, Magic Hat Brewery, Imperial Brewery, and Seagram’s Escapes brands.

Billy’s love and passion for the game of basketball and commitment to service have continued throughout his adult life. He has served as a CYO and AAU basketball coach. Currently he is a certified varsity high school boys’ (IAABO BOARD 119) and girls’ (NYCGBOA) basketball referee, and girls’ volleyball referee. Billy is a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus and member of Council #2672 in Rockaway Beach. He is also an Ancient Order of Hibernians Division 21 member in Rockaway Beach.

Billy lives in Old Howard Beach, Queens with his loving wonderful wife Susan and furry canine Buster. They have a wonderful son Christopher Hofmann, Esquire, and a beautiful daughter in law Ana Frerk Hofmann.

Billy is honored beyond words to be the recipient of such an extraordinary honor, especially one which exemplifies the values to which he was raised.