University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Dedeann Pendleton-Helm Honored with Dave King Challenger Award
4/2/2025 8:57:00 AM | General, Softball
FORT COLLINS, Colo. - Northern Colorado Head Softball Coach Dedeann Pendleton-Helm has been named the recipient of the prestigious Dave King Challenger Award, presented by Triple Crown Sports and CHAMP. This honor is awarded to a female coach or administrator who challenges players to reach beyond their perceived limits, instilling them with self-esteem and resilience to tackle life's next big obstacle.
"Dedeann Pendleton-Helm embodies everything the Dave King Challenger Award represents," said Northern Colorado Director of Athletics Darren Dunn, "She is a relentless leader who not only pushes her players to excel on the field but also empowers them to grow as individuals. Her impact on UNC Softball has been transformational, and we are incredibly proud to see her receive this well-deserved recognition."
Pendleton-Helm, a highly respected figure in the Northern Colorado softball community, took over as head coach of the UNC softball program in June 2022. In just her first season, she led the Bears to unprecedented success, capturing the Big Sky Conference championship and securing the program's first-ever NCAA tournament berth. Under her leadership, the team finished with a 26-23 overall record and a 9-6 mark in league play, with notable non-conference victories over St. Mary's, New Mexico State, and Kansas City.
Now in her third season at UNC, Pendleton-Helm has amassed a 65-70 overall record. She has led the Bears to back-to-back Big Sky Tournament championships in 2023 and 2024, as well as securing the regular season championship in 2024. Her leadership has also produced standout players, including All-American pitcher and Big Sky Pitcher of the Year Erin Caviness and Big Sky Player of the Year Amailee Morales.
Prior to her tenure at UNC, Pendleton-Helm spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach at Colorado State University, where she played a key role in the development of the Rams' pitching staff. Her coaching legacy includes mentoring the three winningest pitchers in CSU history, as well as guiding the 2012 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year, Kacie McCarthy. She was also instrumental in CSU's 2019 campaign, which saw the team return to the NCAA Tournament with a remarkable 39-12 record and a 2.57 team ERA.
Pendleton-Helm's coaching career also includes a successful six-year stint at Ole Miss, where she worked with outfielders, pitchers, hitters, and all phases of recruiting. Her impact was felt as she helped guide the Rebels to their first winning season in program history.
Beyond coaching, Pendleton-Helm has made significant contributions to the sport of fastpitch softball. From 1996-98, she worked with Triple Crown Sports, where she was instrumental in developing its fastpitch softball division. Her efforts helped shape what is now the largest fastpitch softball tournament in the world, held annually in Colorado.
A standout collegiate athlete herself, Pendleton-Helm played at Creighton from 1991-95, excelling as a pitcher and utility player. She set multiple program records and earned All-Missouri Valley Conference and all-region honors.
ABOUT DAVE KING
Dave King, founder of Triple Crown Sports, turned his frustration with poorly organized slow-pitch softball tournaments into a vision for premier, professionally-run events. In 1982, he and his wife, Annette, launched Triple Crown with a commitment to high-quality competition, superior facilities, and clear communication. What started as a single tournament in Colorado quickly expanded into a national and international enterprise, hosting events in multiple sports across the U.S. and beyond. Under the leadership of Dave's son, Keri King, since 2017, Triple Crown continues to set the standard in youth and collegiate sports, producing nearly 200 annual tournaments, including nationally televised events, and fostering unforgettable experiences for athletes and their families.
ABOUT CHAMP
CHAMP, a nonprofit 501c3 organization based in Fort Collins, CO and is a community-wide effort focused on promoting positive character as an integral component of our student-athletes' success, both on the athletic field and in life. It is CHAMP's intent to positively impact all 14,000+ student-athletes and over 2,000+ youth coaches in the greater Fort Collins area every year.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the softball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsSB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsSB).
Â
Â
"Dedeann Pendleton-Helm embodies everything the Dave King Challenger Award represents," said Northern Colorado Director of Athletics Darren Dunn, "She is a relentless leader who not only pushes her players to excel on the field but also empowers them to grow as individuals. Her impact on UNC Softball has been transformational, and we are incredibly proud to see her receive this well-deserved recognition."
Pendleton-Helm, a highly respected figure in the Northern Colorado softball community, took over as head coach of the UNC softball program in June 2022. In just her first season, she led the Bears to unprecedented success, capturing the Big Sky Conference championship and securing the program's first-ever NCAA tournament berth. Under her leadership, the team finished with a 26-23 overall record and a 9-6 mark in league play, with notable non-conference victories over St. Mary's, New Mexico State, and Kansas City.
Now in her third season at UNC, Pendleton-Helm has amassed a 65-70 overall record. She has led the Bears to back-to-back Big Sky Tournament championships in 2023 and 2024, as well as securing the regular season championship in 2024. Her leadership has also produced standout players, including All-American pitcher and Big Sky Pitcher of the Year Erin Caviness and Big Sky Player of the Year Amailee Morales.
Prior to her tenure at UNC, Pendleton-Helm spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach at Colorado State University, where she played a key role in the development of the Rams' pitching staff. Her coaching legacy includes mentoring the three winningest pitchers in CSU history, as well as guiding the 2012 Mountain West Pitcher of the Year, Kacie McCarthy. She was also instrumental in CSU's 2019 campaign, which saw the team return to the NCAA Tournament with a remarkable 39-12 record and a 2.57 team ERA.
Pendleton-Helm's coaching career also includes a successful six-year stint at Ole Miss, where she worked with outfielders, pitchers, hitters, and all phases of recruiting. Her impact was felt as she helped guide the Rebels to their first winning season in program history.
Beyond coaching, Pendleton-Helm has made significant contributions to the sport of fastpitch softball. From 1996-98, she worked with Triple Crown Sports, where she was instrumental in developing its fastpitch softball division. Her efforts helped shape what is now the largest fastpitch softball tournament in the world, held annually in Colorado.
A standout collegiate athlete herself, Pendleton-Helm played at Creighton from 1991-95, excelling as a pitcher and utility player. She set multiple program records and earned All-Missouri Valley Conference and all-region honors.
ABOUT DAVE KING
Dave King, founder of Triple Crown Sports, turned his frustration with poorly organized slow-pitch softball tournaments into a vision for premier, professionally-run events. In 1982, he and his wife, Annette, launched Triple Crown with a commitment to high-quality competition, superior facilities, and clear communication. What started as a single tournament in Colorado quickly expanded into a national and international enterprise, hosting events in multiple sports across the U.S. and beyond. Under the leadership of Dave's son, Keri King, since 2017, Triple Crown continues to set the standard in youth and collegiate sports, producing nearly 200 annual tournaments, including nationally televised events, and fostering unforgettable experiences for athletes and their families.
ABOUT CHAMP
CHAMP, a nonprofit 501c3 organization based in Fort Collins, CO and is a community-wide effort focused on promoting positive character as an integral component of our student-athletes' success, both on the athletic field and in life. It is CHAMP's intent to positively impact all 14,000+ student-athletes and over 2,000+ youth coaches in the greater Fort Collins area every year.
FOLLOW THE BEARS
For complete coverage of UNC Athletics, check out the official homepage at uncbears.com. Follow the softball team on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsSB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsSB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsSB).
Â
Â
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
INF
/ SoftballWomen's Walk Recap 2025
Wednesday, July 30
