Posting Up - Scoreboard - Top 25 - Features - Notables - Team of the Week - Live Audio

Notables

News and notes from around D-III

March 28, 2001

Bridges
retires
By Pat Coleman
D3hoops.com

The winningest active coach in Division III men's basketball is active no more.

Illinois Wesleyan head coach Dennie Bridges will announce his retirement on Wednesday morning, after leading his Titans to a 2001 third-place finish and compiling an impressive 667-319 career record.

Bridges, the 1997 NABC national Coach of the Year, led his teams to three of the last six Final Fours, including the 1997 national championship and third-place finishes in 1996 and 2001.

"I've been thinking about this decision for a number of years," said Bridges, who turned 62 on Feb. 15. "Having both jobs as athletic director and basketball coach from mid-October to mid-March requires 12 to 16-hour days, six-and-a-half days a week, and each year the grind seems to get more physically and emotionally draining."

Whoever replaces Bridges will be only the third men's basketball coach at Illinois Wesleyan in 58 seasons. Bridges coached 36 seasons, following Jack Horenberger, who coached 21 years and compiled a 264-212 record. Horenberger, who was a fixture at Illinois Wesleyan's Shirk Center before games until his final days, died of cancer last Dec. 1, at the age of 87.

Bridges has served as basketball coach since 1965 and as athletic director since 1981, taking over both positions from Horenberger.

"I was worried that it could reach the point where my teams might not be able to compete for the conference and NCAA championships without a coach whose total focus was basketball," said Bridges. "In fact, I was worried about that this season before we dramatically turned it around. And I also want to be certain I am a good athletic director and that my coaches are assured that I am helping them achieve championships with their teams."

Bridges is the second Division III coach with 500 or more wins to retire. Scranton's Bob Bessoir announced his retirement at the beginning of the season and coached the Royals through their loss in the MAC Freedom title game.

On a personal note, I only had the chance to speak with Bridges this year in Salem at the Final Four, and at the end of our pregame interview on Thursday afternoon, he thanked me for everything we have done for Division III basketball.

So I'm thinking, 'Here's the winningest coach in Division III, who was coaching before I was even born, and he's thanking me? I should be thanking you.'

So let me say, Coach Bridges, thank you. Illinois Wesleyan and Division III are better for your having been associated with us. And I do look forward to reading your book.

Here's what some other coaches have to say:

Steve Alford, Iowa (formerly Manchester)
"I would like to congratulate Coach Bridges on a remarkable career. He accomplished three things I believe every coach should work to do: 1) make a positive difference in young people's lives; 2) graduate the individuals you teach; 3) win championships.

"I learned a great deal from Coach Bridges in just two encounters with his teams. My very best to him and his family for continued success."

Mike McGrath, University of Chicago
"One of the greatest challenges in my coaching career, both as an assistant and head coach, was to prepare our teams to play against Illinois Wesleyan. His teams were so fundamentally sound and executed so well that you had to be at your best to compete with IWU. Coach Bridges drove me to be a better coach and it was truly a great honor to compete against his teams."

Notables 2003-pres.

2003 Notables
February 15-28
February 1-14
January 16-31
January 1-15

2002 Notables
December 16-31
December 1-15
November
October-early Nov.
September-October
June-August
May
March-April
February 22-28
February 15-21
February 8-14
February 1-7
January 22-31
January 15-21
January 8-14
January 1-7

2001 Notables
December 16-31
December 1-15
October-November
July-September
June
May
April
March

Notables 1998-2001

D3sports.com Network
D3sports.com
D3football.com
D3baseball.com
D3soccer.com
D3boards.com
D3jobs.com
News
Top 25 poll
Milestones
NCAA Stats M | W
Notables
Playoffs
Photo galleries
Press releases
Regional rankings
Scoreboard
Season previews
Standings
Strength of sched. M W
Columns
Around the Nation
Daily Dose
Hoopsville
Awards
All-Decade M | W
All-Americans
All-Region
Team of the Week
Interactive
About us
Advertise here
D3hoops on Facebook
Feedback
Message board
Open dates
Site FAQ
SID login
Weekly nominations

Sites By Region
Rankings and links
to all D-III teams

Northeast	M	W
East	M	W
Atlantic	M	W
Middle Atlantic	M	W
South	M	W
Great Lakes	M	W
Midwest	M
Central		W
West	M	W

Contact Us
About us
Feedback
Privacy Policy
Send Game Scores
Send Press Releases
Team of Week Nominations
User Survey