IWU’s Dennis Martel approaching end of his 39-year coaching career

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — He says it’s the only “big boy” job he’s ever had.

And it turned out to be the only job Dennis Martel wanted. He came to central Illinois in the in 1984 to go to grad school and he never left.

“My goal was to come out here, get my Masters, go back to Maine, teach and coach and eventually become an athletic director,” said Martel.

Instead, the University of Maine graduate was hired to coach at Illinois Wesleyan while he was still in grad school at Illinois State. Thirty-nine years ago Martel was hired an assistant coach for baseball and basketball at IWU.

Now he’s set to retire after 37 years as the Titans head baseball coach.

“I fell into a great spot, fell in love with the place. I never really thought about leaving when I got entrenched,” said Martel. “I know I’m blessed to do this for 39 years. I tell people all the time my job beats working for a living.”

This job is the only one Martel every had. The signs on the outfield wall tell the story about how successful he’s been, nine conference championships and a national title in 2010.

But he says in retirement he may not remember the 900-plus wins he has on his record. He will remember the relationships he’s build through nearly four decades of college coaching.

“I spent a lot of time in dugouts and on buses. In hotels, locker rooms with kids. It’s been amazing to get to know the kids, said Martel, who is the baseball career wins leader at IWU with 914.

IWU enters the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin conference tournament with a 23- 15 record. The Titans need a win against Carthage to advance into the double-elimination part of the tournament.

And they need a win to extend Martel’s career at IWU.

“I never once said, ‘I don’t want to do this. I got up every day and kept going 39 years and never doubted what I was doing or what I should be doing,” Martel said. “And I enjoyed every minute of it.”

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