The heart and soul of the Nordic ski team for over a decade, Tiina (Kantola) Hoffman [1981-85, 1988-92] becomes the second multisport athlete to gain induction into the Hall. Hoffman came to Alaska as an 18-year-old freshman from Viermaki, Finland, and went on to become one of a handful eight-time letterwinners at UAA.
In addition to earning four straight trips to the NCAA Ski Championships, she was also one of the top runners on the cross country team every year. In 1985, she earned the distinction of becoming UAA’s first Athlete of the Year, as well as winning the Dresser Cup – then known as the Dean’s Cup – as the top overall Seawolf student-athlete in terms of grade point average.
After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, she went on to coach at the high school level, and joined the UAA staff in 1988. From 1990-92 she served as the head Nordic coach, helping the Seawolves capture eight All-America certificates and an individual national champion in her two seasons at the helm.
In 1996, Hoffman earned her master’s of science degree in exercise physiology and coaching from the University of Jyvaskyla in her home country. She has also gained official certification as a vocational teacher and translator.
Hoffman and her husband Dave, also a former UAA skier, currently live in Jyvaskyla with their two sons, Ville Thomas (8) and Veikko Michael (5)
