Dennie Bridges' association with Illinois Wesleyan began when he enrolled as a student in 1957 and has continued virtually ever since.

Bridges retired in March 2001 after 36 seasons as basketball coach with a career record of 667-319, second most all-time among NCAA Division III coaches.  His 1997 team was 29-2 and won the Division III championship, while his 1996 (28-3) and 2001 (24-7) teams each placed third nationally. His teams won 17 conference championships and qualified for the Division III playoffs 14 times in 18 seasons.

Since Bridges became athletic director (1981), the Shirk Center, Fort Natatorium and Jack Horenberger Baseball Field have been built, as well as new facilities for soccer and softball. Bridges, who graduated in 1961 and began his IWU coaching career in 1964, earned letters in basketball, baseball and football and was all-conference in basketball and football as an IWU player.

Bridges and his wife, Rita, have three grown children, all IWU graduates and former Titan athletes. Steve was a four-year football letterman and was an Academic All-American.