Home of the Dickinson State Blue Hawks

Kristen Fleury enters her 18th season as head softball coach at Dickinson State in 2027 after leading the Blue Hawks through one of the program's most successful seasons.

In 2026, Dickinson State finished 42-14 overall and 20-4 in conference play, capturing both the Frontier Conference regular-season and tournament championships in the league's first season sponsoring softball. The Blue Hawks advanced to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, where they earned two victories before their season ended in a 13-inning elimination game.

Fleury was named the 2026 Frontier Conference Coach of the Year after guiding Dickinson State to the conference championship and a 20-game winning streak to close league play. She was also selected as the 2025-26 Frontier Conference Coach of Character, recognizing her commitment to leadership, integrity, service, respect and responsibility.

The season also included a career milestone for Fleury, who earned her 500th victory April 15. She enters 2027 with a 515-298 career record, nine conference tournament championships and 11 NAIA National Tournament appearances.

Dickinson State produced several individual honors during the 2026 championship season. Brooke Lijewski was named an NAIA Second Team All-American and Frontier Conference Player of the Year, while Hope Fath earned Frontier Conference Pitcher of the Year honors. The Blue Hawks placed eight players on the All-Frontier Conference teams, including six first-team selections.

A former all-conference third baseman for the Blue Hawks, Fleury returned to her alma mater to begin her head coaching career. She has developed Dickinson State into a consistent postseason contender across multiple conference affiliations.

One of the program's landmark seasons came in 2015, when Fleury led the Blue Hawks to a conference tournament championship, an NAIA Opening Round title and the first NAIA Softball 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 the season.

Fleury has continued to guide Dickinson State to postseason success, including conference tournament championships and NAIA Opening Round appearances in 2018, 2021, 2024 and 2026.

In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Fleury serves as Dickinson State's assistant athletic director and Senior Woman Leader. Her administrative responsibilities include budgeting, fundraising, eligibility compliance, staff development and game-day administration. She has also played a significant role in fundraising and planning efforts for Dickinson State's softball facilities.

Fleury earned a master's degree in human performance and physical education with an emphasis in coaching from Adams State University.

A native of San Jose, California, Fleury remains involved in student-athlete development, community service and leadership initiatives throughout Dickinson State Athletics.

Year-by-Year Head Coaching Record — Dickinson State Softball

Career Record: 515-298
Conference Tournament Championships: 9
NAIA National Tournament Appearances: 11
NAIA World Series Appearances: 1 (2015)