Troy University Athletics
2009 General Roster
Roster
Steve Dennis
- Position:
- AD
- Class:
- Redshirt Freshman
- Hometown:
- Macon, Ga.
Steve Dennis will enter his fifth year as the Director of Athletics for Troy University in 2010 and his tenure has been marked by continued growth of all of Troy’s athletics programs in the Sun Belt Conference and Division I.
Since his arrival at Troy in March of 2005 Dennis’ focus has been on the most important part of any athletics program, the student-athletes. Due to that emphasis Troy University student-athletes have led all members of the Sun Belt Conference, as well as all public institutions of higher education in Alabama, in Graduation Success Rate every year since his arrival.
Over his four years Troy University student-athletes have posted grade point averages of 3.0 or better for a year more than 600 times. That high academic standard led Troy to enjoy the highest level of success possible under the NCAA’s Academic Progress Report for the 2008-09 school year, with all 16 NCAA sports above the mandated 92.5 percent.
Troy University’s student-athletes have flourished on the field of play as well as in the class room. Troy’s baseball program has had 15 players drafted or signed to professional contracts while the football program has sent 20 players into professional football, including first-round draft picks DeMarcus Ware and Leodis McKelvin.
The Troy football program has been especially successful under the watchful eye of Steve Dennis. The Trojans have won three consecutive Sun Belt Conference titles and have appeared in three bowl games since his arrival as Director of Athletics. That success on the field has translated to success in the stands as Troy has led the Sun Belt Conference in football attendance in each of the last four seasons.
The last five years have also been marked by construction and growth of Troy University’s athletics facilities. The soccer and track teams moved into a brand-new facility adjacent to the Trojan Oaks Golf Course. Riddle-Pace Field underwent $5 million in renovations that included the construction of the Lott Baseball Complex. Movie Gallery Veterans Stadium saw the addition of two new luxury boxes and plans are now under way for a brand-new multi-purpose arena that is expected to be open in time for the 2011-12 basketball season.
Dennis has also shepherded the athletics department through NCAA certification and, at the same time, completed a five-year strategic plan for the program’s continued growth.
Externally, Dennis was instrumental in the formation of the Trojan Warriors, the athletic department’s booster club, as well as "The Legion" a student support group. Both groups have grown to more than 500 members in a short time and continue to grow annually. The athletics department also entered into a marketing agreement with International Sports Properties of Winston-Salem, NC, an agreement that was just renewed in 2009.
Other external accomplishments have included chartering the "T" Letterman’s Club as a chapter of the Troy University National Alumni Association and the establishment of the Al Lucas Endowment for Student-Athlete Excellence.
Over the last five years the Troy Athletics Department has hosted numerous state and regional athletics events, including the Sun Belt Conference Softball Championship in 2008 and the SBC Baseball Championship in 2009. Other events have included Special Olympics, AHSAA and AISA championships.
Dennis came to the Troy family from Auburn University, where he served in a variety of capacities beginning in 1985.
His final assignment was as the Associate Director of Tigers Unlimited, the Athletics Department’s Development office. In that position, he was responsible for identifying, cultivating and soliciting support from individuals, private industry and corportations for the Athletics Department.
A native of Macon, Ga., Dennis graduated from the University of Georgia, Cum Laude, in 1978.
While at Georgia, Dennis played football for legendary coach Vince Dooley. He was the Bulldogs’ defensive captain in 1978 and was an Academic All-Southeastern Conference selection that same season. During his playing career, he played in three bowl games for the Bulldogs.
His foundation as a student-athlete guides Dennis in his quest to take Troy athletics toward great things in the future.
Dennis started his professional career as a high school teacher, football coach and baseball coach in Windsor (Ga.).
He started his collegiate coaching career at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 1981. In four-plus seasons, he coached outside linebackers, the defensive line and special teams for the Moccasins.
Dennis went to work as the defensive backs and special teams coach at Auburn in 1985, and he remained on the Tigers’ staff for eight seasons. He was named the SEC Working Coach of the Year in 1986 by The Birmingham Touchdown Club.
During his initial stint with the Tigers, he coached alongside current Troy head coach Larry Blakeney. Current Troy assistant coach Shayne Wasden, as well as former assistant coaches Mike Pelton and James Joseph, all played for the Tigers while Dennis served on the coaching staff.
Dennis returned to his alma mater in December of 1993, and worked as the defensive backs and special teams coach for the Bulldogs for three seasons.
From 1997 until 2002, Dennis was out of college athletics. He worked in sales, marketing and promotions for Georgia Southern Wood, Inc., serving in that role from 1997 until 2000. He then served as Vice President of Cleveland Brothers Construction from 2000 until 2002.
Dennis returned to Auburn to coach tight ends in 2002, before moving to fund-raising within the Auburn Athletics Department in 2003. During his college coaching career, he was part of seven bowl teams and one Division I-AA playoff team.
Dennis and his wife, Lisa, have four children - Chris, Cale, Corey and Allison.
