SIOUX FALLS — Three people from Sioux Falls and another from Brookings make up the 2026 induction class for the USA Softball South Dakota Hall of Fame.
Carol Pipgras of Sioux Falls (youth softball deputy), Teri Schmidt of Sioux Falls (contributors) and standout slowpitch players Paul Krause of Brookings and David “Dave” Dickmeyer of Sioux Falls are set to be honored during a hall of fame banquet set for Saturday, Oct. 12 at the Holiday Inn Sioux Falls Downtown City Center.
For tickets or more information, contact Mike Dykstra at 605‑212‑3139 or kdykstra@sio.midco.net.
Carol Pipgras
Pipgras has been one of the most influential figures in the history of South Dakota youth softball. Her career spans local, state, regional and national levels and is marked by innovations that reshaped tournament play and expanded opportunities for thousands of young athletes.
Pipgras began her involvement as a coach and manager in women’s and coed slowpitch before helping establish youth slowpitch in Sioux Falls in 1989. On Jan. 1, 1994, longtime State Commissioner Bill Maher appointed her ASA South Dakota Youth Deputy Commissioner — a role she has held for more than three decades.
“Carol Pipgras embodies the very best USA Softball South Dakota,” Former commissioner Gary Young said. “Her vision and commitment have shaped opportunities for generations of young athletes.”
As Deputy Commissioner, Pipgras built a statewide volunteer network that supported both youth slowpitch and fastpitch tournaments. Under her leadership, participation grew to more than 300 teams on state tournament weekends. She introduced the three‑game guarantee in youth slowpitch and the four-or-five‑game guarantee in youth fastpitch, formats unmatched anywhere else in the country. She also guided the transition to a three‑class fastpitch system and worked to preserve boys’ slowpitch opportunities in South Dakota.
Her influence extended nationally. Over 30 years, Pipgras attended nearly every ASA/USA National Meeting and JO Workshop, serving on the Region 11 Youth Commissioner Council, Special Events Committee, Tournament & Awards Committee and the National Junior Olympic Committee. She was frequently selected as an ASA/USA National Tournament Representative and played key roles in national events hosted in Sioux Falls.
Locally, Pipgras has been a longtime member of the Sioux Falls People Youth board, contributing to the Ringneck Tournament and every youth fastpitch national tournament held in the city. She also co‑founded the South Dakota Softball Scholarship Program with Jerry Mason, which now awards up to six $1,000 scholarships annually.
“Carol and her crew made a lot of friends throughout the state,” USA Softball SD President Gerry Bills said. “She loved every child who came through the program and loved seeing them succeed. She will always be part of our South Dakota softball family.”
Teri Schmidt
Schmidt, the longtime leader of the Sioux Falls Convention & Visitors Bureau (now Experience Sioux Falls) has spent more than 40 years advancing Sioux Falls as a national softball destination, helping secure more than 30 ASA/USA Softball national championships — nearly 65 when including multi‑division events. Her work brought teams from 45 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada, including one of the largest tournaments in ASA/USA history with 168 teams.
Hired in 1983 to build the CVB from the ground up, Schmidt grew the organization to a staff of 25 with a $3 million annual budget and more than $400 million in cumulative economic impact. Major softball events routinely generated $1–1.5 million for the city and her advocacy helped drive continued investment in facilities such as Sherman Park.
A former teacher, Schmidt became a champion for volunteers and youth sports, working alongside leaders including Roger Utley, John Jucht, Pipgras, Dave Nielsen, Don Wylie, Ken Anderson Jr. and Maher. Her broader contributions include work with South Dakota Special Olympics, Pheasant Fest, the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Winter Wonderland at Falls Park.
“Teri Schmidt fundamentally changed the trajectory of softball in South Dakota,” Young said.
Paul Kruse
Kruse’s slowpitch softball career spans more than 30 years and is marked by championships, versatility and a competitive edge that made him one of the state’s most respected players.
Kruse began playing in 1994 with Chevy’s Lounge in Brookings before joining top programs across the state including Sports Connection, Taco Bell, Cubbies, Chuk n Duk, Sanford Power and River Ridge. He concluded his open‑division career in 2023 and continues to compete with the Sioux Falls Hitmen senior team.
A champion at every level, Kruse helped lead teams to South Dakota Open titles with Cubbies (2003), Chuk n Duk (2004–2007), and Sanford Power (2008–2011). Nationally, he won the 1995 ASA E National Championship with Taco John’s and made multiple ASA B National appearances, highlighted by a 5th‑place finish in 2005. He also starred in the 2006 Owatonna B Division Labor Day Nationals, playing six positions during a 10–1 championship run.
“His talent was equal, if not better, than any other player on the field,” Fellow standout JC Crawford said.
Known for his defensive excellence on the mound, Kruse earned praise from peers and Hall of Famers alike. He also served in the South Dakota National Guard from 1988–1997, including deployment during the Gulf War.
Nominator Steve Tyler called him one of top players in the state for 20 years.
David “Dave” Dickmeyer
Dickmeyer is being recognized fora five‑decade career marked by consistency, championships, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to the sport.
Dickmeyer began his softball career in 1976 with Sioux Falls Duke Tuffy and went on to become one of the most respected infielders in the Sioux Falls men’s slowpitch community. Over the next 20 years, he played for several of the region’s top programs, including Bull & Lion, Crow Bar, Miller, Sioux Falls Merchants and John’s Shoe Repair. He later continued his career with the Sioux Falls Old Dogs (2001–2004) and the Grand Old Dads (2014–present), where he remains active in the senior league.
“Dave played softball with heart. Besides being a competitor, Dave would always step up and help coach the teams he played on. His passion for the game was relentless,” USA Softball South Dakota Hall of Famer Jack Kolbeck said.
A versatile and steady infield presence, Dickmeyer excelled at second base, shortstop and third base. His most decorated years came with John’s Shoe Repair, where he helped lead the team to four state championships in 1991, 1992, 1994 and 1996. He also competed in three USA Softball B Division National Championships (1991, 1993, 1995), further cementing his reputation as a high‑level competitor.
Across his career, Dickmeyer contributed to league championships in 1987, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, and 2015, demonstrating remarkable longevity and an ability to elevate teams across multiple eras.
Those who played alongside him describe a teammate defined by heart, leadership, and integrity. Dickmeyer’s induction honors not only his accomplishments on the field, but the way he carried himself throughout his career — as a teammate, mentor, and lifelong steward of the sport.
Follow Watertown Public Opinion sports reporter Roger Merriam on X (formerly known as Twitter) @PO_Sports or email: rmerriam@thepublicopinion.com
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: USA Softball South Dakota Hall of Fame inductees