May 17, 2007

NORTH CANTON, Ohio - Walsh University's Head Football Coach Jim Dennison will relinquish his duties as Athletic Director, a position he has held since 1993, to more fully focus on continuing the football team's legacy of winning. Dennison will remain as an Associate Athletic Director. Dale Howard, Walsh's current Vice President of Student Affairs, will add the role of Director of Athletics to his duties on July 1.

"This program has come a long way since its inception in 1995," said Dennison. "We've been winning since the beginning and we just keep getting better and better. I want to ensure that continues by fully focusing on shaping these young men's skills both on and off the field."

At Walsh, Dennison's teams have never had a losing season. Walsh finished 7-3 in the inaugural season, and the 2001 team gave Walsh its first football championship in the Mid-States Football Association. Dennison's overall record at Walsh is 88-42. This past season, Walsh posted its best record at 9-3, and qualified for the post season for the first time.

In addition to his favorable record as a coach, as Athletic Director, Dennison worked hard to improve the academic standing of his students. During his tenure, Walsh University's student-athletes have improved dramatically in the classroom with over 50% achieving a 3.00 grade point average or higher.

"Coach Dennison is one of our best and brightest," said President Richard Jusseaume. "He is a true leader, with the ability to direct students to success on the field and in the classroom. We're all looking forward to his continued commitment to our University."

Dennison implemented a number of positive and forward-reaching accomplishments as Athletic Director, including; a goal setting policy, marketing and promotion strategies, a new award system, a new fund raising philosophy, academic awards banquet and a gender equity plan. He established a Captain's Council, Cavalier Community Awareness Program and Drug Education Seminar, and Dennison's efforts have contributed to the improvement of the athletic facilities at Walsh.

In 2002 and 2005, he was named NAIA Northeast Region Sports-Turf NACDA Athletic Director of the Year and was named NAIA Region IX Athletic Director of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

"My time at Walsh as the Athletic Director has been a great experience," said Dennison. "The department is successful in the athletic arena and the classroom, and we have a great staff. My real passion however is coaching, and I think it is time to devote 100% of myself to the football program."

Dennison retired from his post as Director of Athletics at the University of Akron in June of 1993, after 28 years of service; 13 of those as the head football coach. He was named Akron's Director of Athletics in August of 1987 and spearheaded the university's move into the Mid-American Conference. He was the first athletic director in the nation to move a program from Division 1AA to 1A.

As head football coach of the Zips, Dennison established himself as the winningest coach in Akron football history, with a 13-year record of 80 wins, 62 losses and two ties. He was the first and only Zip gridiron coach to win ten games in a season, to play for a national championship, and to be chosen Ohio Coach of the Year and Kodak National Coach of the Year.

A passionate believer in positive mental attitude (PMA), Dennison is called upon to deliver his message about motivation and goal setting to many businesses, organizations and schools. Jim and his wife Sue are the parents of a daughter, Mrs. Denise Morrow, and three sons, Jim, Greg, and Matt and ten grandchildren. The Dennison's reside in Norton.

Walsh University is an independent, co-educational Catholic liberal arts and sciences institution that promotes academic excellence and diversity and provides close faculty-student interaction. It is dedicated to teaching its more than 2,500 students to become leaders in service to others through a values-based education with an international perspective in the Judeo-Christian tradition.