E-mail Coach Bridel

Brett Bridel begins his second full season as head coach of the Flyers' men's and women's tennis teams.

Before arriving at Lewis in January 2007, Bridel spent the 2004-05 season as head women's tennis coach at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, leading a Salukis team that earned Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-Academic recognition.

Prior to his season at SIUC, Bridel enjoyed considerable success during two years as head men's and women's tennis coach at College of DuPage. The men's team captured the NJCAA Division III national title and was undefeated both seasons, and the women's team garnered a national runner-up finish in 2004 in its second successive NJCAA tournament appearance. Bridel was named NJCAA men's Region IV and National Coach of the Year both seasons.

DuPage players collected 18 NJCAA All-America first-team awards (14 men, four women) and three men's All-America second-team honors under Bridel's guidance. Additionally, both squads achieved ITA All-Academic status and 12 players earned a place on COD's Academic Excellence List.

Bridel's coaching and teaching experience also includes a year as a graduate assistant women's coach at the University of Alabama; three years as a volunteer assistant women's coach at Florida State University; 16 years as proprietor of the Aces Summer Tennis Camp in Glen Ellyn; and a staff professional at the Naperville Racquet Club and the Glenbrook Racquet Club.

Bridel is a 1999 graduate of the University of Alabama, where he earned a bachelor's degree in education. He and wife Lori are the parents of 4-year-old Britney Kajsa and 2-year-old Breton Kristian.