Balancing Rink Life and Work Life

Lee Strofe is the assistant director for campus safety and many people know him from visits to INT classes, but what may surprise those freshmen to learn is that he is also the coach of the roller hockey club team. The coach and security professional spoke with NeuPress recently, explaining how he balances his skating life and serious work life.

Strofe worked with a private security company for some years before they started partnering with Neumann. He was delighted to discuss his journey on how he enjoys his job and that his goal is to always learn something new every day. Another goal is to continue educating students in any way that he can because he is not here just for Neumann’s safety but to guide students in the right direction. 

The other side of Strofe, one that many may not know, is as the roller hockey head coach. Growing up he played both ice and roller hockey, which he loved. He loved it so much that after he finished playing, he began coaching hockey for about 25 years, including 13 seasons at Neumann. 

He is a very successful coach with two national championship wins back-to-back in 2015 and 2016, amassing a 69-2 record in that span. His team also finished as the runner-up at nationals in 2014. Not only does he love coaching, but he brings a winning culture to Neumann as well. 

Strofe encourages everyone to come out, both boys and girls, if they have the equipment to do so. The team’s long seasons run from Columbus Day until April, playing at the Marple Sports Arena. He would love to see more fans come out and show support along with meeting new people who enjoy roller hockey.

Leon Francis, the director of campus safety, had asked Strofe to work with him at Neumann years ago, an invitation that Strofe eventually accepted. Francis stated that they had known each other for about 19 years and that “Lee has always been supportive and respectful to his colleagues, and he collaborates with the campus safety team to achieve department goals.” It seems that Strofe is a team player in the rink and in the workplace.

Strofe welcomes those into his office with open arms as if they had already known each other. He is one of the protectors here at Neumann and a two-time national champ head coach for roller hockey. This year, he has the opportunity to become a three-time national champion as the team just won the Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association D3 championship and will compete in nationals in California.