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Central Hockey League

The OSC Interview: CHL Director of Operations Bob Hoffman

by Andrew LaMastra
June 28, 2013 - Central Hockey League (CHL)


OurSports Central's Andrew LaMastra talked with Bob Hoffman, the Director of Operations for the Central Hockey League. Hoffman has been involved in many front office capacities with different franchises across the United States in his career in professional hockey. A graduate of Kent State University, Hoffman started his career in sports broadcasting before transitioning to the front office.

Andrew LaMastra - How did you get started working in professional sports? What sparked your desire?

Bob Hoffman - I played sports growing up, so I guess I took the standard route getting into this business. I played basketball, baseball, and golf in high school. It was while I was competing as a college golfer that I looked for a profession that would fulfill my love for sports. I looked into a journalism degree, and I really just wanted a profession that I would love to work in every day. Luckily, working in sports doesn't even feel like a job some days. I thought working in sports would be the best opportunity for me.

A.L. - How did you transition from journalism and broadcasting to directing in operations?

B.H. - I was fortunate enough to learn a lot from a lot of good people along the way. Starting from broadcasting, I learned all the areas of media, but I also absorbed information about marketing and advertising. No matter what it is you're doing, in minor league sports you're always selling. Whether it is to kids, or adults, or groups, learning how to sell will gain you opportunities. I learned to grow into many different areas as I progressed through my career.

A.L. - What kind of skills and knowledge were you able to bring from broadcasting to help you advance and excel as a director of operations?

B.H. - The number one thing is the communication side (of broadcasting). The ability to relay what is enjoyable to other people is important, as was the ability to get in the door when I was broadcasting games for Fox Sports. I think it enhances your perception, from a business side, to have an established dialogue with the fans. I really think that a lot more broadcasters should look into the business side. They are able to able to bring in sponsors, clients, and fans with their communication skills.

A.L. - You helped start up the Youngstown SteelHounds franchise; what were the challenges involved with that process and how did you and your teams meet those challenges?

B.H. - It was a lot of fun. I'm originally from Northeast Ohio, so it was great going back. A couple areas were challenging, mainly the tougher economy in the "Steel Belt." The area was not very prosperous when we came in, and the city was having problems with homelessness and run-down sections in downtown. We had to find a way to get people to go to what was perceived as a bad part of town. The challenge really was to help revitalize downtown Youngstown, and we had to make an affordable product at the same time. And we were able to develop a good fan base. I went back recently, and there are new bars and businesses downtown, which was really good to see. I think we were a big part of developing a hockey culture there, which has spread since the Phantoms (USHL) are there now as well.

A.L. - A big challenge that comes with working in professional sports is travelling and moving from city to city to advance your career. How have you learned to cope with moving from team to team or city to city?

B.H. - It's good and bad. I have a wife and daughter, so they're taken into account, plus my wife is a professional and has to find a job in any new town, too, so it can be a challenge. Now the good thing is you learn to adapt to new ways of life. I've been all over, from Arkansas to Salt Lake City, back to Northeast Ohio, and now I live in Phoenix, so I've done some travelling. The important thing is you learn different fan bases and how to work in different environments. The positive thing was learning to adapt to all kinds of places. And my wife and daughter have been very supportive, so that's made it all easier.

A.L. - What advice do you have for young professionals in terms of moving to find better opportunities? Do you recommend it?

B.H. - You have to be open to it, because you never know what opportunities will come. Some people are fortunate enough to find something right away, but opportunities might be far away, maybe a thousand miles away. You also do need to be open to learning from different parts of the country and different people. The pace is going to be different everywhere. Working in Detroit is going to be a lot different than in Southern California, for example, and experiencing these differences helps you grow as a person. For me, coming home was a unique experience, having learned different things from different places. So, as a young professional, you just need to be welcome to new people and new places.

A.L. - What are your current and future goals in terms of your career and the league you are working in now?

B.H. - My current goals are basically learning to grow in different parts of the business that I might not know a lot about. I want to build my resume still, and hopefully find my way to the top of some league, franchise, or business some day. For now I've just got to learn, grow, and keep improving every day.

A.L. - If you were to offer one piece of advice to someone interested in professional sports administration, what would it be?

B.H. - At a young age, you have to take every opportunity available to you. People often shun internships because of bills and student loans, but I think they really are the best way to get yourself out there, and get your hands dirty. Even if its NASCAR or something that you don't really know anything about, you have to experience things. I was able to learn a lot from interning at Sport Channel Ohio, which was the precursor to Fox Sports, when I was young. I would recommend internships as a way for young people to cut their teeth. People need help along the way, and the great thing about this industry is that there are a lot of professionals who have been where the young people are and are willing to help them along the way.

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The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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