July 30, 2026
HELENA, Mont. – The Frontier Conference is proud to announce Dickinson State University’s (N.D.) head softball coach Kristen Fleury as the recipient of the 2025-26 Frontier Conference Coach of Character Award, recognizing her outstanding commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character® initiative through leadership, integrity, service, respect, and responsibility.
Fleury has served Dickinson State for 16 years and has built one of the premier softball programs in the NAIA while making a lasting impact throughout the university and the Dickinson community.
On the field, Fleury has guided the Blue Hawks to more than 500 career victories, nine conference championships and 11 NAIA National Championship appearances. Her accomplishments have also earned her Dickinson State's Outstanding Achievement Award for Career Success to a Graduate and North Dakota Sportswriters Coach of the Year honors for women's athletics.
Beyond her coaching success, Fleury plays a vital role within the Dickinson State athletic department. She assists with departmental budgeting, fundraising, eligibility compliance, staff development and game-day administration while serving on the university's executive budget and scholarship committee. She has also been instrumental in fundraising efforts for Dickinson State's $10 million state-of-the-art softball complex and works closely with the Heritage Foundation and Financial Aid office on scholarship initiatives.
Fleury's dedication to student-athlete success extends well beyond competition. She organizes educational opportunities for coaches and student-athletes in areas such as mental health awareness, Title IX and NAIA eligibility while also teaching a graduate course on fundraising and social media. She serves on Dickinson State's retention committee and has become a respected mentor for coaches across campus.
Her commitment to the NAIA Champions of Character philosophy is demonstrated through countless hours of community service. Fleury and her softball program regularly volunteer in local schools, support Dickinson Diamonds Youth Softball, assist with community fundraising events and have volunteered in preparation for the opening of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
Fleury has also been a leader in advancing gender equity, helping oversee the development of Dickinson State's new softball complex while working to ensure Title IX compliance in facilities, scholarships and scheduling. At the conference and national levels, she has served as a conference and national softball rater, a liaison between Frontier Conference coaches and athletic directors, and has assisted with umpire coordination for conference championship events.
Dickinson State Athletics Director Pete Stanton praised Fleury's impact on the university and its athletic department.
"Kristen has been an instrumental figure in the success of the Dickinson State Athletic Department," Stanton said. "In addition to her successful coaching, she has many roles as an outstanding administrator in dealing with budgets, eligibility, and game-day management.
"Kristen has high expectations for her team on and off the field,” Stanton added. “They have a strong connection with the Dickinson community with many volunteer activities. She deserves this award, and her dedication to Dickinson State is admirable."
The Frontier Conference Coach of Character Award recognizes coaches who exemplify the NAIA Champions of Character’s core values through their leadership, mentorship, and commitment to developing student-athletes both in competition and in life. Fleury's sustained excellence and service have made her a model representative of those ideals throughout her career.