BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Dennis Martel, the winningest coach in Illinois Wesleyan University baseball history, announced that he will retire after the conclusion of the 2024 season Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18.

Hired as Illinois Wesleyan's head baseball coach in 1988 at the age of 23, Martel was the youngest head collegiate baseball coach in the state of Illinois. Ahead of the 2024 season, Martel will coach his final season as the oldest baseball collegiate coach in the state.

Martel heads into his final season with an 891-600-3 overall record and 437-240 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin mark. He guided IWU to the NCAA Division III National Championship in 2010, a seventh-place national finish in 2001, and nine CCIW Championships. His win total is sixth-most among current Division III coaches and 31st-most across all NCAA divisions. 

His team's have made 11 NCAA appearances, including a stretch of five straight from 2010 to 2014, have won eight CCIW Regular Season Championships, and six CCIW Tournament titles. 

"Every win I have had in my career is a credit to the student-athletes I have coached," Martel shared. "Being a coach is nothing without the players that have turned into great alumni and more importantly great men. I want to give a special thanks to my two longtime assistant coaches Matt Willey and Tim Siegworth, who have been with me for more than two decades. I also want to thank my wife, Michelle, and my daughters for their love and support all these years."

Martel was named the American Baseball Coaches Association/Diamond Sports Division III National Coach of the Year in 2010, while he earned Regional Coach of the Year honors for the second time in his career that season. 

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.

"We would like to thank Dennis for his 38 years of service to IWU, his unwavering support for other Titan athletic teams and our department, as well as the championships he led our baseball program to," Illinois Wesleyan Athletic Director Mike Wagner reflected. "His success on the diamond was only outdone by his presence at the contests of our other athletic teams. Anytime I have needed assistance with anything for our athletic department, Dennis has always been ready and willing to help. We wish Dennis, his wife Michelle, and his three daughters – Sara, Jenna, and Anna all the best with his retirement.  They will all continue to be valued members of our Titan Family."

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 2001, Martel's squad set the program record with 37 wins. The Titans won the league title and won their NCAA regional championship.

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 - right-handed pitcher Quinn Gudaitis (2022, Detroit Tigers), left-handed pitcher Cory Lapinski (2005, Houston Astros), right-handed pitcher Drew Himes (2005, Houston Astros), right-handed 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. 

"Dennis started as a "walk-in" volunteer coach for my basketball team," legendary IWU athletic director and head men's basketball coach Dennie Bridges added. "He became my first and only full-time basketball assistant, and soon became our head baseball coach. He had many successful baseball teams, capped off by winning the 2010 National Championship. Dennis is a "throwback" to the Fred Young Fieldhouse days of a small, close-knit coaching staff. In today's era of each sport being a year-round commitment, he still makes time to support many other Titan teams. He has been a positive for Illinois Wesleyan – on and off the baseball field. I'm happy that Illinois Wesleyan and Bloomington turned out so well for him and Michelle – and that Dennis worked out so well for Illinois Wesleyan. On a personal level, he has been a great friend."

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 a 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.

Michael Kellar, current IWU assistant baseball coach, will succeed Martel as head coach. He will officially take the reins following the conclusion of the 2024 season. 

"I cannot begin to thank Coach Martel enough for giving me the opportunity to coach alongside him for the last six years," Kellar shared. "As much success as he has on the field over his 30-plus years here, the real success is the Titan family he fostered during his tenure. With such a supportive group of administrators, coaches, and support staff, top-notch facilities and resources, and dedicated and talented student-athletes, Illinois Wesleyan is a premiere Division III program in the country. I look forward to the challenge of carrying on the Titan tradition as the next head coach of IWU baseball."