There's a phrase murmured in the press box at IUPUI men's soccer games. Something similar echoes in the stands. Players on the bench probably have their own go-to phrase for the moment as well. 

"Hoffar Time!" says Scott Beringer, PA announcer at IUPUI games. Like clockwork, Beringer's excitement rarely fails, and it comes with a cadence that makes you think "hammer time" and want to crank the MC Hammer. 

No matter what you say or how you gear up for the moment, the anticipation of a Clint Hoffar throw makes fans sit up in their seats. It's not the fancy, overused flip throw. It's a bit puzzling, actually. It makes you think about the physics classes you once took and you start contemplating if a human should be able to do what he just did.  

"I've been able to do it since about U9," Hoffar said. "I used to get called for it sometimes because it would go so far. Refs would just call it back because they didn't think it could be legal." 

Clint throws bombs. They're line-drives on a rope that travel 30 to 40 yards. Few can throw a football that far, and he's doing it two hands, overhead, while having to keep both feet on the ground.

Hoffar's throws rival a legitimate corner kick opportunity. Anytime the Jags are awarded a throw near an opponent's defensive third, you can be assured that it's Hoffar Time. 

"Sometimes we aim for the front side or back side," Hoffar added. "What we see from the other team's goalkeeper usually tells me where I'm trying to throw it." 

The Jags actually scored a goal in 2014 assisted by a Hoffar throw. In the 12th minute against Northern Kentucky, Hoffar launched a ball approximately 40 yards to the back post that was headed home. 

The senior captain is one of 30 finalists for the 2015 Senior CLASS Award, an honor given to an NCAA Division I senior with notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition. 

While the big throw is one way Hoffar makes a big impact on the field, his effect off the field is even bigger.

 
Hoffar grew up in Kendallville, Indiana, a small town just west of Fort Wayne, where he attended East Noble High School. A three-sport athlete, he earned 10 varsity letters between soccer, track and wrestling, including a semi-state appearance in wrestling as a senior. 

In his later high school years, Hoffar was a regular at forward on the soccer field. The Jags use Hoffar all over the field, but No. 11 has resided at center back for the majority of his IUPUI career. 

"My club coach in Fort Wayne told me I couldn't play Division I soccer as a defender so he put me up top," Hoffar said. "I played forward my senior year on my high school team. It was an adjustment but I started scoring goals. I made it my goal to beat my coach's single season scoring record." 

That record was 19 goals. At first, the humble Hoffar didn't say how many goals he scored in his senior campaign. He later admitted to beating his old coach's record with about five games left in the season. 

In his IUPUI career, Hoffar has played the role of the big man on the back line with big throw capabilities. He plays big, but his inspiration is fueled by an opposite theme: finding joy in the little things.

When he was just ten years old, Hoffar's mother was diagnosed with breast cancer. A fourth grader at the time, he didn't really know what it meant. 

"I was really young and didn't really understand what it was about," Hoffar said. "Understanding cancer as a fourth grader, you're just thinking that your mom is sick. 

"It was really hard. Mom would always be doing things for us like driving us to soccer practice and stuff, and she just wasn't able to do those things. Dad took on a lot more responsibility." 

Hoffar cited his mother's battle as a huge part of his inspiration. She got better a few years later and has been in remission for almost ten years.

"She always reminds me to find the joy in little things," Hoffar said. "When I have bad days, she'll just send me texts like that." 

Hoffar also has a grandmother continuing to battle breast cancer. 

Since coming to IUPUI, Hoffar and his mother have participated in the Susan B. Komen Race for the Cure in Indianapolis. In recent years, the rest of the Jags joined Hoffar and his mother by walking in the event. Two years ago, his grandmother completed the walk at the age of 85. 

Finding joy in the little things has continued to be the Jags' mantra in Hoffar's senior year. His past experiences have given him a better perspective with a new teammate, co-captain, and friend. 

This season, the Jags have welcomed Michael Malone to the team as an honorary captain. Malone, a 14-year-old high school freshmen, is currently in his own fight with cancer. His friendship with Head Coach Isang Jacob has grown into a bond with the entire IUPUI squad, particularly Hoffar. 

"It's been awesome to see him come out and just find joy in that," Hoffar said. "Just seeing him get excited to be out there with us and sit with us. It makes you want to play for him and do everything you can. He's a part of our team." 
 

While Hoffar's senior year at IUPUI is just getting started, his final season on the pitch is halfway done. His dreams for life after college are also strongly inspired by his parents, who are both teachers. Hoffar will spend next fall finishing his education degree by student teaching as he prepares to be a math teacher and a coach. 

"I really want to dive into kids' lives and be a good role model for them," Hoffar said. "I had great coaches growing up who really cared about us. If you wanted to stay after, they'd stay after and help you get better. That's what I want to be." 

As for his final year on the pitch, Hoffar used three words to describe his goal for the year: build the program. 

When he said those words, he meant them literally. Hoffar vividly remembers being a freshman and tearing down cabinets with a pick-axe in the Jags' new home at Michael A. Carroll Stadium. What is now the locker room had previously been a storage room before IUPUI's first season at the new venue.  

"I was just tearing down cabinets with a pick-axe and we turned it into a locker room," Hoffar said. "We cleared it out, put chairs around and painted. Now we have actual lockers, pictures, a tile floor and TVs. Literally, building the program." 

Nicknamed "Captain Clint" by his teammates, the senior leader plays big, throws big and dreams big. When he walks off the pitch, he remembers to keep things in perspective by finding joy in the little things.