Meet The Kennedy Catholic Athletic Director – Don Hoffman

Don attended Wenatchee Valley College from 1983 to 1985 and played football. He continued his football career at the University of Puget Sound from 1985 to 1987 and received his BA degree in Business Administration.He then worked at Boeing as a financial analyst for 4 years and began coaching at Kennedy Catholic in 1989 as a non-faculty assistant football coach. Don added an MA degree in education from Seattle University in 1992 and soon joined the Kennedy Catholic faculty. He taught business and computer-related courses, eventually assuming the school’s Technology Coordinator role. He assisted with the football team until 2015 while also coaching basketball. Don began coaching basketball in 1991 with the boys’ freshman team. In 1994 he took over the girls’ varsity team and guided them until 2007. In 2008 he jumped over to the varsity boys coaching position until taking on the Athletic Director role in 2020. During Don’s 30-year coaching career at Kennedy Catholic, he has helped guide many Lancer teams with great success — league titles and trips to the state tournament were standard highlights during

Don’s coaching experience and involvement in playing multiple sports at Kennedy Catholic bring a broad perspective to his management style. All sports are essential to making an athletic department that serves all student-athletes. Don considers it a privilege to be Athletic Director and lead the 26 varsity sports programs at Kennedy Catholic. “I have been involved in Lancer athletics nearly my entire life! The athletic department is committed to having a first-class program. It teaches athletes mental toughness, passion, integrity, and service.”

And wouldn’t you know it? For the first time since 2014, Highline and Kennedy Catholic will meet in football this year — it will be a Battle for Burien! The year’s second game features a non-conference contest scheduled for Friday, September 9th, at 7:00 p.m. at Highline Memorial Stadium. This will be a great opportunity for both teams to see where they stand.

Kennedy Catholic thumped some of the Highline teams in past meetings when both were in the previous Seamount League. However, Highline has made great strides in righting the Pirate ship over the last few seasons. Highline represents the 2A Kingco Conference and won the first game at the 2A state playoffs last season; a lot of talent returns for 2022. The Pirate team is focused on taking that experience even further into the playoffs this year.

Kennedy Catholic has had many solid years since joining the 4A North Puget Sound league. A trip to state last year with a “last play game one loss” has the Lancers anxious for a deeper 2022 playoff run. A fast start in 2022 would go a long way in making 2022 a memorable year. Both teams will want to bring their “A” game when they meet in the “Battle for Burien.”