Dennis Martel Year-by-Year Record
OVERALL: 891-600-3 (.597) [36 seasons through 2023]
• NCAA Division III national championship, 2010
• NCAA Division III, seventh place, 2001
CCIW: 437-240 (.645) [35 seasons through 2023]
• 9 CCIW championships
The 2024 season marks Dennis Martel's 37th season as baseball coach at Illinois Wesleyan. He has the most coaching wins at the school and led the team to the 2010 NCAA Division III National Championship, for which he was named the American Baseball Coaches Association/Diamond Sports Division III “National Coach of the Year” as well as the regional “Coach of the Year” for the second time.
In January of 2020 Martel received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the ABCA. In 2013 Martel was inducted into the Maine Baseball Hall of Fame at its 43rd annual ceremony and banquet on July 28 in Portland, Maine.
Prior to the 2024 season, with 891 wins in 36 seasons, Martel ranks sixth-most among active Division III coaches in total victories and is No. 26 all-time.
Go here for list of coaches' records.
The winningest coach in Illinois Wesleyan history, Martel has compiled an 891-600-3 record over 35 seasons at the helm, including a 437-240 mark in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play. Under his tutelage, Illinois Wesleyan has won nine CCIW Championships.
Martel's teams have complied an overall record of 891-600-3 (.597) with nine College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin championships. In CCIW play only, Martel's teams have a record of 437-240 (.645).
In 2008, Martel eclipsed the win total of Jack Horenberger to become the school's all-time baseball coaching leader in victories. Horenberger had a record of 509-401-5 in 37 seasons at the Titan reins.
• In 2017, Illinois Wesleyan was 22-21 and appeared in their 14th straight CCIW tournament.
• In 2016, Illinois Wesleyan was 24-19 with a 13-8 record in CCIW action, making it the 17th straight season for a Titan team to win 24 games or more.
• In 2015, Illinois Wesleyan was 27-16, making it the 16th straight season for a Titan team to win 24 games or more.
• In 2014, IWU was 24-20 overall and appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament for the fifth consecutive year and for the 12th time overall.
• In 2013 Illinois Wesleyan went 18-3 to win the CCIW regular season title and was 33-14 overall, appearing in the NCAA Division III tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
• The 2012 season saw the Titans finish with a 31-17 record, were 12-9 in CCIW play and appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament.
• In 2011, the Titans were 28-18, won the regular season phase of the CCIW and appeared in the NCAA Division III tournament.
• The 2010 national championship team finished the season with 11 wins in their final 12 games to capture the national title, finishing with a 31-21 record. The Titans were the No. 4 seed in the CCIW tournament and staved off elimination twice on the final day to win the tourney and earn a berth into the NCAA regional. IWU was the No. 6 seed in the six-team regional and swept the four games to advance to the national championship round for the second time ever and first time since 2001.
• IWU was 24-16 in 2009 with a 14-7 mark in the CCIW.
• In 2008, the Titans were 33-11, won the CCIW championship with an 18-3 mark and played in the NCAA Division III regional.
• In 2007, Martel was co-winner of the league’s “Coach of the Year” honor as the Titans were 32-13, won the CCIW title with a record-setting 20-1 mark, and hosted the NCAA Division III regional.
• In 2006, the Titans were 28-14 and 14-7 in the CCIW. Martel's 2005 team was 34-13 overall, won the CCIW title and advanced to the NCAA Division III regional. In 2004, the Titans were 28-19, won the league title and played in the NCAA Division III regional. Martel's 2001 team advanced to the Division III College World Series and earned a seventh place finish. The Central Regional champions, the 2001 Titans set a school record with 37 wins and Martel was named the region's "Coach of the Year" by the American Baseball Coaches Association.
Five straight teams (1994-98) won 24 or more games and the 1998 team won 31.
Martel has coached two first team American Baseball Coaches Association All-Americans (2B Ricky Angel, 2007; OF James Rinne, 1997), six second team honorees (RHP Jason Pankau, 2011; LHP Matt Aronson, 2007; OF Nick Chilczenkowski, 2006; LHP Cory Lapinski, 2005; RHP Steve Schilsky, 2001; and C Jay Ahrendt, 1996); and three third team selections (1B Kevin Callahan, 2011; RHP Jason Pankau, 2010; and 2B Ryan Gilfillan, 2001).
In addition, he has had over 60 players named to all-region teams and more than 130 have earned all-conference honors.
Seven of Martel's players have signed pro baseball contracts with major league affiliation - righthanded pitcher Quinn Gudaitis (2022, Detroit Tigers), lefthanded pitcher Cory Lapinski (2005, Houston Astros), righthanded pitcher Drew Himes (2005, Houston Astros), righthanded pitcher Steve Schilsky (2002, Oakland A's), outfielder James Rinne (1998, Arizona Diamondbacks), catcher Jay Ahrendt (1996, Baltimore Orioles) and catcher Mike Brown (1991, Los Angeles Dodgers).
An assistant professor of physical education, Martel also spent 21 seasons as IWU's full-time assistant basketball coach before becoming director of basketball operations in 2007. He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in physical education and earned a master's degree in athletic administration from Illinois State in 1985. Martel graduated in 1977 from Marshwood (Maine) High, where he was three-sport athlete and a two-time all-conference player and four-year letterman in baseball. He is a 1984 graduate of the University of Maine with a degree in physical education and coached basketball at Bangor Community College for four seasons.
He and his wife, Michelle, are the parents of three daughters - Sara, Jenna, and Anna.
