Dennis Wilson played four years of baseball and men’s basketball in the 1964-68. He was a starter and key contributor in both sports, leading both sports to national tournament appearances.
Wilson led the baseball team in hitting in 1967. He was a three-year starter at shortstop and top of the lineup hitter. He was named All-VSAC and VSAC All-Tournament. He helped lead his team to the NCAA Mideast Region Tournament.
In basketball, he was the assists leader on each team including the 1968 Union Sports Hall of Fame Team that finished 22-3, winning the conference title, and an NCAA Region runner-up finish.
Wilson’s success at Union was more that just athletic. He received the prestigious Fred DeLay Award given to the top outstanding scholar-athlete at Union. He also graduated cum laude in biology and physical eduction, was named Who’s Who in American Colleges and University, was the junior and senior class president, and was voted Mr. Union.
Following his time at Union, his success continued. He received masters and doctoral degrees from the Univ. of Tennessee. He was a professor at Auburn Univ. for 35 years. He has over 100 sports medicine publications and presentations. He served on the International Council for Sports Sciences 1990-1996 and the NCAA as Chair of the Competiive Safeguards Committee from 1990-1997.
Wilson married the late Dianne Jacobs (Union, ‘67), were married for 47 years and had one son, Trent. He is remarried to Johnna, with one daughter by marriage, Casey.
Wilson’s brother, Larry, is in the Union HOF. His father, Pete, served on the Union Board of Trustees and his sister, Ramona Yates, currently serves on the board of trustees.
