Cheyenne Cordes

Classroom

Cheyenne Cordes has battled through her dyslexia to succeed at the world’s No. 1 public university, even when many of her own family members doubted she would be able to handle Cal’s rigorous academics. While she expected that it would take her five years to graduate, Cordes has surprised even herself and is on track to graduate in May 2015—a year earlier than she originally anticipated. The senior is a sociology major with a focus in communications. After obtaining her bachelor’s degree, Cordes would like to attend graduate school and study broadcasting or communications.

Character

For three seasons now, Cordes has been a staple of the Cal infield, where she has been the team’s vocal leader. Fans have come to know her by her signature phrases, including “Atta babe!” and “Keep it up! I see ya workin’!” Leading up to her senior season, her efforts have paid off as Cordes was voted one of three team captains for 2015 following a strict and detailed team voting process. She is a staunch supporter of Head Coach Diane Ninemire and her standards, and is always respectful and warm in her interactions with fans and young players. Most recently, she helped join a leadership initiative led by the coaches and attended optional meetings on developing leaders on and off the field. As a result of her dyslexia, Cordes is passionate about raising awareness about support available for student-athletes with learning disabilities. She has used her understanding of the disability to help share her story with young children at the school her mom teaches at in an effort to help them understand that no type of disability should ever stop them from setting goals. Raised by a single mother and her grandparents, Cordes holds family values very close to her heart.

Community

Hailing from nearby Vacaville, Calif., Cordes has stayed well-connected in her Northern California community. When in Vacaville, she enjoys visiting a convalescent home, where she spends time talking and interacting with residents. On her days off, Cordes sometimes visits her mom, Tracy, at school, where Tracy is a physical education teacher. Cordes will often help her mother conduct drills and exercises from her students, such as teaching the waltz to a group of children. Cordes also stays active in the Northern California softball community, working with her old club ball squad the Lady Magic as well as the Firecrackers. She also volunteers to work Cal softball camps. One of the largest community service initiatives Cordes remains involved in is the Friends of Jaclyn program and the Bears’ adopted teammate, Barbara “Bebe” Wiggs. Wiggs was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor several years ago. Through the years Bebe has grown healthier and is now able to come to nearly every Cal homestand. Cordes and her teammates host a special holiday party for her every year, as well as a “Bebe Day” to help raise pediatric brain tumor awareness.

Competition

Cordes can be easily recognized as one of Cal’s best shortstops to play the game and a premier hitter in the Pac-12. She owns a career batting average of .319, which includes 160 hits, 29 doubles, three triples, 30 homers and 108 RBIs plus a .569 slugging percentage. At the start of her senior season, Cordes was invited to try out for the 2015 U.S. Women’s National Team and was named on the USA Softball Player of the Year Top 50 Watch List.

In 2014, Cordes led the Bears in nearly every offensive category, including batting average (.401, 63 for 157), slugging percentage (.758), runs scored (43), doubles (13), triples (2), home runs (13), RBI (40) and sac flies (4). Her .410 batting average stands at fifth in Cal’s single-season records, and her .758 slugging percentage is fourth. She was selected to the All-Pac-12 and NFCA All-Pacific first teams after her junior campaign, adding to 2013 NFCA All-Pacific and All-Pac-12 second team laurels. She was named Player of the Week in March 2013, and was voted to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team in 2012. Prior to her freshman season, Cordes captured a gold medal with the U.S. Junior National Team in 2010.