ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, March 24, 1997 basketball TAG: 9703250028
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DANIEL UTHMAN THE ROANOKE TIMES
Dennie Bridges wins his first national title in 32 years of coaching at Illinois Wesleyan.
When Illinois Wesleyan was flying home last year after finishing third in the Division III final four, a few of the team's underclassmen told coach Dennie Bridges, ``We've got to go back next year.''
Bridges said, ``There's not much reality in that.''
As this season went on, however, the reality was that even with five of last year's top six players departed, the Titans were good enough to make it back to Salem. With their 89-86 victory Saturday over Nebraska Wesleyan, the Titans showed they were good enough to be national champions.
Bridges was asked shortly after the championship if this team, his first national champion, could beat the Jack Sikma-led Illinois Wesleyan team that reached the NAIA quarterfinals in the Kemper Arena and is regarded as the greatest Titans outfit. He refused to make a comparison, instead comparing Kemper Arena to the Salem Civic Center.
``When you come to the Salem Civic Center,'' he said, ``that's a big-time atmosphere.''
Just then, freshman guard Korey Coon, who plays much older than he looks, said, ``I think we could beat them.''
That kind of attitude was as important to the Titans as their talent, which most observers would say didn't measure up to last year's team. The Titans expected to win, and that made reality a harsh subject for many opponents. After losing to Illinois Wesleyan in the final eight 95-63, Methodist (N.C.) coach Bob McEvoy said, ``We thought we were going to play Illinois Wesleyan. We didn't realize we were playing the damn Bulls.''
Although the Titans had just one senior starter, the team felt a pressing need to win. Bridges is 58 years old and has coached the Titans for the past 32 years. He likes golf so much that he plays in a rotisserie league and went into a trance when he found the Bay Hill Invitational on television this weekend. He is Illinois Wesleyan's athletic director in addition to men's basketball coach and he never hesitates to say what a bad idea that is.
Bridges became Division III's winningest active coach on Feb.1. His players and many Titans fans wonder how much longer that ``active'' word will apply. The only thing he hadn't done before this weekend was win a national championship, and the Illinois Wesleyan players figured the sooner, the better.
``He's been out here for a hundred years or so and hasn't gotten one,'' said final four MVP Bryan Crabtree. ``He deserves it as much as we do.''
With his trophy finally won, some figured this was as good a time as any for Bridges to retire from coaching. It won't happen this year.
``After we made the final four last year, people were asking me if I was going to retire,'' Bridges said. ``I must look old. It's natural to have thoughts of walking away.
``Not until the fire goes out.''
With all but two players returning next season, he's not likely to run out of fuel.
LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: DON PETERSEN THE ROANOKE TIMES. Illinois Wesleyanby CNBplayers Korey Coon (left), Bryan Crabtree and coach Dennie Bridges
celebrate the Titans' national championship victory.