DICKINSON, N.D. — Dickinson State head softball coach, associate athletic director and senior woman leader Kristen Fleury has been named the NAIA Female Trailblazer of the Year, recognizing her leadership and commitment to creating opportunities for women in collegiate athletics.
The national award recognizes an outstanding woman leader who exemplifies outstanding support of women in athletics and their success.
For Fleury, that work has taken many forms at Dickinson State. A former Blue Hawk student-athlete, she has built a championship softball program, helped lead the athletic department as an administrator and served as a mentor and advocate for student-athletes, coaches and colleagues.
"We are incredibly proud of Kristen on being named the recipient of this prestigious award," Dickinson State Athletic Director Pete Stanton said. "It is well deserved and we are so fortunate to have Kristen doing all the things she does for Blue Hawk athletics. She continues to not only make a huge impact as a coach but as a valued administrator."
The honor follows a memorable 2025-26 year for Fleury.
She earned her 500th career coaching victory in April, adding another milestone to a career that has included multiple conference championships and NAIA National Tournament appearances.
The Blue Hawks also captured the inaugural Frontier Conference regular-season championship, closing conference play with 20 consecutive victories. Dickinson State followed by winning the Frontier Conference Tournament at Bravera Field to complete a sweep of the league's regular-season and tournament titles.
Fleury was selected as the 2026 Frontier Conference Coach of the Year and was also recognized as the 2026 North Dakota AP Female Coach of the Year.
Her impact at Dickinson State, however, extends well beyond the softball field.
As associate athletic director and senior woman leader, Fleury has taken on significant responsibilities within Dickinson State athletics, including Title IX initiatives, departmental compliance and scholarship management. She has also contributed to fundraising efforts and helped lead planning for the Sanford Sports Complex, including Bravera Field, the home of Blue Hawk softball.
"I've never really thought of myself as a trailblazer. I've just tried to work hard, take care of people and leave things a little better than I found them."
Kristen Fleury
Head Softball Coach | Associate Athletic Director
Senior Woman Leader
"Receiving the NAIA Female Trailblazer of the Year Award is truly humbling," Fleury said. "For the past 21 years, I've been fortunate to bleed Blue as a Dickinson State student-athlete, assistant coach, head coach and associate athletic director. I've never really thought of myself as a trailblazer. I've just tried to work hard, take care of people and leave things a little better than I found them.
"This recognition belongs to so many people who have been part of the journey: mentors, colleagues, student-athletes, family and friends who have believed in me and pushed me along the way. I'm incredibly proud to represent Dickinson State and Blue Hawk athletics, and I hope the work we're doing continues to open doors and create opportunities for the people who come next.
"I've never been completely sure where the trail was leading, but I've kept moving forward and occasionally dragged a few people along with me. Thank you to everyone who has believed in me, supported me, challenged me and wisely stepped aside when they saw me coming!"
Fleury's connection to Dickinson State began as a student-athlete before she transitioned into coaching, first as an assistant and later as head coach. In 2015, she led the Blue Hawks to a conference championship, an NAIA Opening Round title and the first NAIA World Series appearance in program history. She was named the North Dakota Associated Press Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association Female Team Coach of the Year following that season.
More than a decade later, the championships, coaching honors and career milestones tell only part of Fleury's story. Her influence can also be measured in the student-athletes she has coached, the colleagues she has mentored and the opportunities she has worked to create throughout Dickinson State athletics.
The NAIA Female Trailblazer of the Year honor recognizes that larger contribution, leadership measured not only by what Fleury has accomplished, but by what she has helped make possible for others.
The NAIA National Awards recognize student-athletes, coaches and administrators whose accomplishments have made a lasting impact on the association through competition, academics, leadership, character and service.