Hop
Neal "Hop" Hoffler is one of the toughest men I have ever met. Here we are competing at the Vermont nationals in Rutland. Master Hoffler is my senior in TSD and always was there to help "train" us when were were hot on the tournament circuit and striving to become champions. Master Hoffler grew up on the streets of Waterbury, Connecticut and learned how to fight way before coming in to learn martial arts. His reputation in town was unparalleled. While Steve Best, Doug Peoples and Karen Harvey and I were blazing the tournament circuit and sponsoring our own tournament we thought it would be a great idea to bring a group out for a senior team match. Master Jeff Goldberg, Master Hoffler, Clarence von Wilder and Tony Molina brought it that day in Meriden. It was great to see them (our teachers) banging it out on the gym floor. It was the start of a small resurgence. In a few months Jeff and we sparred in New Haven against New England Patriot Andre Tippett. Mas