Kaitlyn Kupiec
@kaitlynkupiec
After facing a life-altering car accident that shattered his dreams of being a professional athlete, Charles Shoffner found himself at a crossroads. The devastating news from his doctors echoed relentlessly: he would never be able to run track again, which was a fundamental part of who he was as a person.
“My identity was wrapped up in track – the me as an athlete,” said Shoffner. “I wasn’t who I was without being a track runner, so having to come out of that and not be the athlete was one of the hardest things to deal with.”
Shoffner’s love for track and field began in the seventh grade. He started to focus on the sport in his sophomore and junior years, evolving into a competitive pursuit that carried him through college. He ran track and field at both the University of North Carolina Wilmington and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
Shoffner’s car accident, which abruptly marked the end of his running career, forced him to confront the daunting idea of life without track. Refusing to be stuck thinking about what could have been, Shoffner began looking for a way to still remain connected to the sport that shaped him at such a young age. Even though he’s not in the lineups, he takes great pleasure in watching and guiding his athletes through their own journeys.
Turning his attention to his old high school, Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C., Shoffner embarked on a coaching career that has now spanned over two decades.
“I never thought I was going to be a coach,” said Shoffner. “I wanted to be a professional athlete growing up and run professionally for Nike; that was my dream.”
The transition from athlete to coach was not without its challenges, but Shoffner discovered a new source of fulfillment in helping aspiring athletes reach their own victories and goals. Behind Shoffner’s commitment to mentoring and developing young athletes, the joy continues to be the driving force, providing him with a sense of purpose.
“The first year I coached, I saw the enjoyment in athletes going from nothing to being in the top five in the state, which was huge,” said Shoffner. “I was like, ‘Oh, this is what it is? and throughout the course of 20-plus years, it just keeps happening over and over.”
After coaching at Grimsley, Shoffner went to another high school across town while also being a volunteer coach for a club team.
“When you start doing youth coaching with five-year-olds and six-year-olds, you do it for the fun of it,” said Shoffner. “Getting them to run track is all about fun.”
While pursuing a masters degree in Advanced Level Coaching at Springfield College, Shoffner began helping out as a graduate assistant coach with the 400-meter dash and the 400-meter hurdles.
After dreaming of coaching at the collegiate level for about 10 years, Shoffner now serves as the men’s and women’s full-time assistant track coach for sprints and hurdles at Springfield. Shoffner has found a new platform to channel his love for the sport.
In just his second season, Shoffner played a pivotal role in helping to guide the team to another Division III New England Championship meet at the New Balance track in Boston. On a memorable Sunday, Feb. 25, the men’s 200-meter dash showcased remarkable achievements, securing second, third, fourth and sixth place overall, with four personal bests and three times that either matched or broke the previous school record.
For Shoffner, coaching transcends beyond the technicalities of the sport. It’s about cultivating an environment where athletes not only excel physically but also experience the satisfaction of going beyond their own limits.
A genuine love for the sport and a passion for helping others reach their full potential define Shoffner’s coaching philosophy. After embracing the challenges that came with transitioning from being an athlete to working as a coach, his positive outlook on life spreads throughout his coaching style, helping to create an atmosphere where athletes feel encouraged to push their boundaries.
The thrill of witnessing someone break their personal record and realizing they’ve achieved a new height – these moments are what inspire and drive Shoffner in his coaching endeavors.
“Seeing somebody run across the line, look up at the scoreboard and then see that’s the fastest they’ve ever run before and the excitement on their face is what I go for,” Shoffner said with a smile.
Shoffner’s coaching journey is not only defined by his achievements but also by his distinct personality that resonates with his athletes. Despite the adversity he faced in his athletic career, Shoffner emerged as a resilient and optimistic individual.
Shoffner stands as an example, proving that even when the finish line shifts, there’s always a new race to run and victories to celebrate.
“It’s all in the love of the sport,” Shoffner said.
Photo courtesy of Charles Shoffner