Dennis Fenton began his long wrestling career on the 3rd floor of the Springfield Boy's Club where an old itchy horse hair mat was the proving ground for many kids from Hungry Hill. Although he learned the fundamentals of wrestling form Tommy Ryan at the club, he still received a severe beating from a gang of older teens at a city park. Dennis swore that he would never be embarrassed like that again and began to take his wrestling and weight training very seriously. He moved on and wrestled in junior high, winning his first title as city champ. In high school Dennis wrestled for Springfield's Classical High from 1971-1973 but gained much of his knowledge of wrestling technique from Fred Scyocurka who helped Dennis become a 3 time sectional champ. During Dennis' junior year he placed 2nd in both the Massachusetts State and New England Tournaments. During his senior year, Dennis was undefeated and placed first in the State and New England tournaments, winning all matches by pin except for two bouts in the New England tournament. Dennis played football at Classical and was selected to the Western Mass All-Star team in 1973.

Dennis was recruited by many colleges but chose the University of Massachusetts because he wanted to be coached by wrestling coach Homer Barr and football coach Dick McPherson. Dennis was awarded a full 4-year football scholarship and started at defensive tackle for 3 years. Dennis was selected to the All-Yankee Conference and All-ECAC football teams in 1975 and 1976. Dennis wrestled at heavyweight for UMASS and was a 4-time Division I New England champion from 1974-1977. Dennis was also the Yankee Conference champion in 1975, 1976 and 1977. Dennis was awarded the Samuel B. Crossman Award from UMASS for athlete of the year 1976-1977.

After graduation Dennis signed as a free agent with the New England Patriots in 1977 and the Cleveland Browns in 1978. After coaching wrestling at UMASS for 2 years under head coach Dave Amato, Dennis began his 34 year teaching and coaching career at Putnam High School in Springfield, Massachusetts. In total, Dennis has been a wrestling coach at a number of high Schools for 38 years including: Cathedral, Classical, Central, Putnam, Belchertown and presently Chicopee Comp High School. Dennis was also the youth wrestling coach at the Springfield Boys' Club for 13 years. Dennis also coached football at Putnam and Cathedral High Schools for 25 years. Dennis has coached many individual, Western Massachusetts Sectional, State and New England place finishers and champions. Dennis' teams have been Sectional champs and placed high in State and New England Championships. Dennis' football teams have been 6-time conference champs and 2-time runner-ups in the State Super Bowl. Many of Dennis' athletes have gone on to play football or wrestle in college.

Coach Fenton has always stressed good sportsmanship with other competitors and his teams have been awarded the sportsmanship trophy from the official's association a number of times. For most of Dennis' career he has coached and taught inner city kids from Springfield who have had many disadvantages and tough life situations. Dennis has made it his life's work to give his athletes a positive example of what a man should be like. Dennis has imparted through words and example how hard work, self-discipline and toughness can go hand in hand with kindness, ethical behavior, and humility. While wins are important, Dennis has always believed that helping an athlete mature and develop into a person with good character is much more rewarding. Dennis has prayed with his teams for 38 years and has encouraged them to respect their parents, attend church, and grow in their relationship with God.

Two of the highlights of Dennis coaching career were seeing his own son Dennis win a state championship, and coaching with his son Tristan, also an outstanding wrestler.

Dennis has been blessed to have some of the best assistant wrestling coaches in Massachusetts during his tenure including Chris Dygon, Walter Kroll, Tim Le, Burt Burger and Ken Moreau.

Most of all, Dennis is thankful for the help and support of his siblings, his wife of 36 years, Gwen and his children: Simeone, Dennis Whitney and Tristan.