As a freshman, Hoffman started his throwing career at Western after being recruited in high school by track and field coach Pee Wee Halsell. Halsell saw Hoffman compete for Sehome High School at local track meets in Bellingham and contacted him to come to Western and throw for the track and field team.

“Michael was one of the top in the state,” Halsell said.  “You know, he was right here in our backyard.”

When Hoffman was a freshman, the emphasis among throwers was not to have a cohesive team. He said his teammates did not throw together with the rest of the track and field team.

Halsell said he recognizes that the throwing team is one of the more segregated parts of the track and field team because they practice at Civic Stadium and not at Western’s facilities.  Hoffman and a few teammates took matters into their own hands in order to make the sport more organized and foster a genuine team. 

Friend and fellow thrower Tyler Nichols was one of the first to help form the team Hoffman set out to strengthen. 

“We became friends during my freshmen year,” Nichols said.  “He’s been the team leader and now he’s the official big brother for all the throwers.” 

Nichols said Hoffman’s leadership extends beyond the sport.  He recalls days that Hoffman would drive around and pick up all of the freshmen to take them to practice at Civic Stadium.  He also remembers weekends going to Canada to get all-you-can-eat sushi at Kisha Poppo.

In the years since Hoffman has been involved with the team, Halsell said he has seen a difference in the way everyone interacts with one another.  He credits a lot of this to Hoffman’s leadership.   

Halsell said Hoffman’s ability to lead by example and lend an element of support for others involved is one of his many strengths. 

Hoffman said he tries to motivate the team to support one another and work as hard as they can individually and as a unit.

Track and field is made up of a series of events that include running, throwing and jumping.  It is up to individuals to determine the success of their performance, but the support from teammates is what Hoffman said keeps him going.

“I participate because all of my friends are on the track team and I probably wouldn’t be as successful as I am without the positive reinforcement they give me and how well we work together,” Hoffman said.  “If I was in a negative environment, I probably wouldn’t be very motivated to lift all the time and go throw.  I just probably would have quit because I wouldn’t be having any fun.”

The training schedule involves a year-round agenda including morning weightlifting, a daily throwing session and regular track and field meets, Hoffman said. 

Throughout his time at Western he said the track and field team has been his life. 

“This is kind of my job, putting in 35 to 40 hours a week,” he said. 

The indoor track and field season started on Saturday, Jan. 14. With the new season, Hoffman said he has big goals on the horizon, one of which is qualifying for the Olympic trials. In his favorite event — hammer throw — Hoffman said it should be every thrower’s goal to hit 74 meters, which will qualify for the Olympic trials. 

For an athlete with such focus and discipline on his training regimine, Hoffman said he remains more on the reckless side with regards to throwing hammer.

Hoffman said it is all about the uncertainty.

“I think it’s more appealing because you’re on the verge of out of control, but you’re usually in total control,” Hoffman said.  “I like that feeling of being on the edge of almost losing it all, but it all comes together in the end and you see it go 200-some feet. That’s very satisfying.”

Living a life that revolves around track and field, Hoffman said two things keep him going: his love of the sport and his teammates.

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