Jensen wins $10K for #DunkdChallenge

After a Hall of Fame coaching career spanning more than 40 years, adding a new career highlight to the top of the list can be a challenge.

But, when SWCC Head Softball Coach Danny Jensen received word he was this year’s winner of the BSN Sports #DunkdChallenge and the $10,000 grand prize that came with it, he knew he’d added another achievement to that list.

"I have had many highlights in my 44 years of coaching, but winning the 2024 #DunkdChallenge is at the top of the list," Jensen said. "It’s right up there next to the state tournament team, and the Hall of Fame thing. I think the reason is this one has affected way more kids. It’s a highlight, no doubt about it."

BSN Sports announced Jensen as the winner of the #DunkdChallenge on Nov. 19, 2024.

Throughout the month of October, in honor of National Coaches Day (Oct. 6), BSN Sports encouraged athletes across the country to shower their coaches with appreciation—and ice-cold water—by creating and capturing their very own "Dunkd moments." Athletes posted splash-worthy videos on social media and nominated their coaches online in the hopes of winning $10,000 in BSN Sports’ credit for team gear, including uniforms, apparel, equipment, fanwear, and more.

For every #DunkdChallenge hashtag shared on social media, BSN Sports also committed a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. The total contribution amounted to $25,000.

Jensen was nominated for the challenge by SWCC sophomore Lily McCrae of Omaha. Jensen then looked through last year’s #DunkdChallenge entries.

"I knew we had to do something bigger than a jug," Jensen said. "I thought we had to go big or go home.

I said, ‘If we’re going to have a real shot at it, we have to do something crazy.’"

Enter the SWCC maintenance department with a skid loader and 400-gallon bucket filled with ice water. A persistent, strong wind helped add an extra chill to the ice water.

Surrounded by his softball team, including SWCC sophomore Kirsten Streeter dressed as Sparty and leading cheers, Jensen was dunked on the sidewalk outside of the SWCC Student Center.

"The wind is what got me," Jensen said. "The water was cold, that’s no doubt. When I stood up, there was about a 35-40 mph wind. When the last drop hit my head, I had to stand up.

I wanted to sit there and show how tough I was, but the wind blew it into me."

Jensen’s entry video beat out more than 100 other entries for the top prize. He was presented with a check for $10,000 in a ceremony in the SWCC Student Center in November.

After winning the challenge, Jensen was invited to speak to BSN’s more than 1,500 employees during the company’s virtual Christmas meeting.

"It’s good for SWCC. We needed some positives," Jensen said. "It kind of put SWCC on the map a little bit."

The story, along with Jensen’s entry video, was shared across social media and picked up by television stations in Des Moines.

Jensen said he heard from more than 200 of his former players after word got out.

The $10,000 grand prize has been put to good use by the softball program. Jensen said all the money is going toward items that will help the student-athletes on the team.

Jensen ordered brand new travel gear for the team, a pitching machine, radar gun, softballs and tees, among other items to help his players.

"It’s been exciting trying to figure out how to spend $10,000," Jensen said. "That travel stuff, we’d have never got that without it. The kids are excited about that part of it. It’s been a cool thing. It’s been a nice distraction from the real world and getting our kids excited. When they’re pumped up, I get pumped up."

Jensen has coached softball in Iowa for more than 40 years. Before taking over the SWCC Spartans team in 2021, he was named District Coach of the Year eight times and inducted into the Iowa Softball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2015. According to the nomination, Jensen has dedicated much of his time and effort to developing the softball program at SWCC, transforming it into the success it is today. He has built a program based on giving back to the local Creston community, creating a family within the program and growing each athlete both academically and athletically.

Jensen’s team experienced a tragedy in July 2023, when SWCC softball player Halsie Barnes died in a car accident. Devastated by the sudden loss of their teammate, Jensen strove to help heal the hearts of his team, coaching staff and the SWCC community. Through their nomination, the team commended Jensen’s efforts to keep Barnes’s spirit alive throughout the season, including hosting her jersey retirement ceremony and dedicating the season to her memory.

"Coaches play such an integral role in guiding athletes to reach their full potential and instilling valuable life skills that reach far beyond competition. We want coaches to know how appreciated they are in their schools, communities and in their athletes’ lives," said Terry Babilla, President of BSN Sports. "Athletes nationwide joined us by posting their fun Dunkd moments all over social media and sharing amazing stories about their coaches’ profound influence through the #DunkdChallenge. This year’s winner, Coach Jensen, is beyond deserving of receiving our grand prize."