ANGEL IN THE INFIELD
Defying the odds, 49er Cori Henderson Hoffler finds her balance in faith, resilience and softball
By: Tenille Dellinger
Cori Henderson Hoffler stands at second base, ready for the next play. The bases are loaded. Her team is up by one. It’s the bottom of the ninth with two outs. On first base, homelessness. On second, the desire to belong to a loving family. On third, and anxiously inching toward home, the burden of everyone else’s expectations and the need to “act normal.” The ball is hit. It’s flying swiftly toward second base. The game rests on her abilities. Can she catch it to end the game? Can she defeat her circumstances? She can. She does. She triumphs.
Difficult beginnings
Throughout her childhood, Hoffler was used to curveballs and strikeouts. With both a mother and father who struggled with addiction, it was she and her older brother against the world. At age seven, her mother left the family. By age 12, her brother went to live with grandparents, and ultimately she and her dad became homeless — jumping from hotels to friends’ couches to find shelter.
“Playing baseball with my brother is what got us through the hard times,” said Hoffler. “I remember he used to bribe me to play with him every day. Looking back, baseball — and eventually softball — is what kept me out of trouble and gave me the comfort I needed.”
Seeking a community, Hoffler got involved in a church youth group where she became close with the college-aged group leader, Megan Henderson. Henderson introduced Hoffler to her parents, who took her in as their own.
“To the rest of the world, I had a normal upbringing,” she said. “I hid my own struggles, but the Hendersons saw the truth, the real me. They opened their doors, and eventually broke through my barriers. They fought for me.”
On her 18th birthday, Hoffler received a new Bible from the Hendersons with “Cori Henderson” engraved on the front. She was adopted, loved, protected.
"I didn’t think I was this star player, but knew, if given the opportunity, I would work hard to be the best I could be.”
Cori Henderson Hoffler
“Until middle school, I refused to touch a softball,” she said. “I only wanted to play baseball with the boys. I also played basketball and volleyball — I just loved sports. In eighth grade, I finally agreed to play softball.”
Aimee DeVos, former head coach of the 49ers softball team, noticed Hoffler early on. She allowed Hoffler to attend camps at the University and tag along with her family. Ultimately, she gave Hoffler the opportunity to become a 49er.
“I didn’t think I was this star player, but knew, if given the opportunity, I would work hard to be the best I could be,” said Hoffler. “It was a blessing to be able to stay close to my new family. Now, I absolutely love Charlotte and all it has to offer!”
Currently in her fifth year as a 49er, Hoffler, a starting middle infielder, is a team leader and supportive teammate. In addition to being an athlete, Hoffler is working toward a double major in special education and psychology.
A newfound faith
At age 17, Hoffler became a Christian, and she said she began to see how God worked out every piece of her life.
“I realize that in my life, softball was consistent, and the Lord was consistent,” she said. “He has put so many people in my life to lead and guide me and has given me such healing, peace and restoration through His love.”
Hoffler describes her love of softball as a blessing to keep her distracted and moving forward in a positive direction.
“My past and softball have taught me that you can’t sit in your circumstances,” she said. “You can’t have excuses. You have to work hard and look out for others, because being part of a team is so much bigger than just you. I come from a past of having to fend for myself, but now I have a team and a family for support, and the ability to look apart from myself and see how I can care for others, too.”
In the past few years, she married a Charlotte alumnus, whom she met playing spikeball on campus, and focused on her future career. She hopes to tie her faith with her passion and teach special education ministry at a church — and, of course, coach softball.
“All in all, I wouldn’t be where I am today without God,” she said. “He gave me a loving family, used sports to help me get through tough times and has an exciting future planned for me.”
Surrounded by the loving family she wished for as a child, softball standout Cori Henderson Hoffler was all smiles on her wedding day.
Tenille Dellinger is associate director of campus and community communications in the Office of University Communications.