Kaleigh Hoffman, Co-Owner of Shock Lacrosse
Some people fall into coaching by accident. Kaleigh Hoffman made herself wait.
“I was a pretty angry, aggressive player in high school. I knew I wasn’t ready to coach right away—I didn’t want to pass down that energy.”
Today, Kaleigh is the co-owner of Shock Lacrosse, a small but mighty girls high school program in Florida, and she’s determined to grow the game the right way: with joy, inclusion, and purpose.
A Shift That Sparked a Passion
Kaleigh grew up playing every sport you could imagine. But it wasn’t until her parents pulled her from soccer—where she wasn’t being treated well by teammates—and put her into lacrosse that everything changed.
“I didn’t want to go to that first practice, but by the end of it, I was hooked. I had no clue what I was doing, but it was fun.”
She never looked back. Lacrosse gave her confidence, belonging, and lifelong friendships. Her teammates became a built-in community, her club program gave her structure, and the sport itself taught her how to work hard, bounce back, and believe in herself.
“Lacrosse was the first place I really felt like I belonged. It gave me a group to turn to and the confidence to grow into myself.”
Learning the Hard Way
Kaleigh was recruited to play Division II lacrosse, but the experience didn’t match the promises. The program wasn’t a fit, and she learned firsthand how important it is for athletes to choose schools and teams that align with their values.
“Make sure you’re picking a school that works for you. Not just the smiles and the pitch on the visit. Ask the hard questions. Would you be happy here without your major or lacrosse?”
She eventually transferred and played club lacrosse at USF, then stepped away from the sport to regroup.
Building Something Better
Kaleigh didn’t start coaching again until years later, when she felt ready to create the kind of environment she wished she had as a player.
Alongside Founder Sophia Sesi, she launched Shock Lacrosse—a small club team that welcomes everyone, regardless of skill level or background.
“We start every season thinking we’ll take the top 15 most competitive girls, and we end up with 30 to 50 girls of all different levels. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. We meet players where they are and help them grow.”
Shock offers one-on-one training, small group sessions, and constant encouragement. It's about more than competition—it's about access.
Kaleigh also played in the European Championships for Team Israel and competed on the first lacrosse field ever built in the Middle East. But she’s just as proud of the impact she and Sophia are making in Florida.
“I’ve seen how exclusive this sport can feel. I don’t want anyone to be turned away because they’re new, or because they can’t afford it. If you want to try lacrosse, we’ll make it joyful.”
Why It Matters
Kaleigh's story is a reminder that growing the game means more than building elite teams. It means building belonging, showing up with empathy, and choosing impact over ego.
If you know someone whose story should be featured, DM us on Instagram @SignatureLocker.
Because growing the game means growing the people in it.
About Shock Lacrosse
Shock Lacrosse is a girls' high school travel lacrosse program located in the Pinellas County area. Shock is dedicated to growing the game and providing the best environment possible for our players to thrive in.
📲 Check them out on Instagram @shocklax or visit their website at https://shocklacrossefl.weebly.com/
