Oglethorpe University

Joseph “Joe” Dennis was regarded as one of the ‘big three’ on the men’s tennis team during his time at Oglethorpe.

Dennis was the first athlete in Oglethorpe history to receive a scholarship for tennis. However, baseball was his first love, as the focus on tennis did not begin until he was around age 16. In 1968, Dennis and doubles partner Robbie Smith recorded the highest finish of any tennis duo in Oglethorpe history at an NCAA Championship event after advancing to round 16. In his sophomore season, Dennis led the team to a 14-3 record.

Dennis was a member and officer of Alpha Phi Omega fraternity. 
After graduation, Dennis competed in the newly formed ALTA tournaments and many others across the southeast, winning titles in every state that touches Georgia. In addition to owning several Baskin-Robbins stores, he became a full-time tennis instructor at the DeKalb Tennis Center. Dennis went on to build the tennis program at the Dunwoody Country Club.

Dennis served with the Greater Atlanta Tennis Foundation and was a board member for the Southern Professional Tennis Association and ALTA. He was named the 1977 USPTA Pro of the Year and was later inducted into the GPTA Hall of Fame.

Dennis and his wife Patty currently reside in Gainesville, Georgia.