David King and his wife, Annette, were accomplished athletes through high school and competed in collegiate athletics – the fire for competition kept burning, and they embraced slow-pitch softball after marrying in 1977 and settling down on the Colorado Western Slope
The name “Triple Crown” first surfaces as the Kings assemble a tournament plan – two events in Grand Junction and one in Steamboat Springs. Points are allotted depending on their finish, and the winning squad got an all-expense-paid trip to Las Vegas.
The three events are now held in Grand Junction, Steamboat Springs and Breckenridge, CO. Teams from the Denver market catch on to the Triple Crown concept; 225 teams take part overall. Dave’s employer transfers him to Boise, ID, but the Kings keep working TCS on the side.
Another work transfer for Dave – the Kings relocate in Fort Collins as TCS softball entries hit 300.
TCS softball series welcomes 400 teams.
Dave is handed a copy of Business Week magazine on a flight to Los Angeles; he reads a story about Mark McCormack’s International Management Group and draws a parallel between IMG and Triple Crown’s burgeoning softball presence. The decision is made! Dave quits his job in the insurance industry, and on Oct
Triple Crown rolls out its National Series in slowpitch that would draw 1,540 teams to events held in 11 states. There were 17 full-time employees. Budweiser becomes a key sponsor, and there’s a 30-foot inflatable Spuds McKenzie mascot sitting next to the awards tables at the final event in Steamboat Springs.
Jacker the Bear is created by Dave King, named after the phrase “jacking a home run”. Players accumulated points for standout plays, resulting in winning iron-on Jacker stickers.
Triple Crown runs 85 tournaments for 2,680 teams and big names start signing up as sponsors (Nike, Russell Athletic and more from Anheuser Busch), but the company ends the year with a loss.
Triple Crown finishes in the black for the first time.