On April 8, Benedictine University will officially dedicate the softball field as Kate Heidkamp Field. The dedication will occur in a ceremony before the team's 12pm doubleheader against Alverno.

"This is a fitting tribute to one of our own," said Benedictine University President Charles Gregory. "As a former player and coach, Kate has contributed much to the game of softball as well as women's athletics. There is no better way to honor the impact she has made on our entire University than to name this venue."

Heidkamp is currently the head coach of the softball team and has accumulated over 650 wins since taking the helm in 1998, the most victories by any head coach in program history. Heidkamp has established the softball program as one of the top programs in the region, consistently producing teams that challenge for the conference title and win close to 30 games annually. Softball has won over 66 percent of the games played during her time as head coach. The team has won five regular season conference titles since joining the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference in 2007 and has also claimed seven conference tournament crowns to reach the NCAA Playoffs on seven occasions. Prior to joining the NACC, Benedictine posted three consecutive regional appearances from 2000-2002 meaning teams have been in the NCAA playoffs 10 times during her tenure. The softball team has won over 270 conference games since becoming a charter member of the NACC 16 years ago and owns a winning percentage of nearly .800 in NACC action.

The team has won 30 games or more 12 times under Heidkamp and has posted 25 or more victories on 18 occasions including 14 straight, not counting the Covid shortened season of 2020. Benedictine advanced to the NCAA Division III Super Regionals in 2016 after winning a regional and matching the program record with 38 victories. Seven of the 10 winningest seasons in program history have come under Heidkamp's guidance. The program's record book has been written and re-written with Heidkamp at the helm.

Heidkamp's success at Benedictine does not just involve coaching. Heidkamp is one of the most decorated players in program history and a member of the Benedictine Hall of Fame. Heidkamp owns the highest winning percentage in the circle and won 80 games, the team record until it was broken by Hall of Famer Brittany Adcox in 2012. Heidkamp is first all-time in shutouts (41) and ERA (0.73) while sitting second in innings (645.2) and strikeouts (565) and third in complete games (86). Heidkamp owns the top four single season ERAs in program history and won 29 games in 1995 while twirling 30 complete games with 15 shutouts tossing a single season record 221.2 innings.

"Kate has given so much to our community during her time as a student, coach and administrator," said Director of Athletics Paul Nelson. "We are grateful to honor her efforts with the dedication of the field."

Besides her achievements with softball, Heidkamp is also the Senior Associate Director of Athletics and is involved in helping run the day-to-day operations of the department.

Benedictine is currently off to a 7-3 start this season.