Madison, Wis. (July 6, 2006) – Edgewood College announced today the appointment of Al Brisack as Athletic Director. Brisack, Baseball Coach at the College since 1999, will add the duties of Athletic Director to his baseball responsibilities effective immediately.

Scott Flanagan, Vice President for Planning and Enrollment, led the search for the new Athletic Director.

“We were very fortunate to have three exceptional finalists,” Flanagan said. “We were looking for someone with exceptional leadership skills who could garner the trust of the student-athletes, coaches, and our campus community. As the search went on, it became clear that Al was that person. I'm excited that Al has agreed to lead our athletic department in our continued efforts to educate students for meaningful personal and professional lives.”

Coach Brisack said he’s thrilled to be tapped to lead what he calls an “outstanding lineup of coaches.”

“We have an incredible athletics staff at Edgewood College - dedicated and gifted women and men who make this a very special place,” Brisack said. “We’re all going to continue to build on our commitment to develop the fullest potential of every student-athlete at Edgewood College, both in and out of the classroom. Our success in the athletic department will always be determined by the quality of the individuals in our programs and their belief in common principles and goals. Ultimately, our athletic programs are about our student-athletes having a great college experience.”

Brisack can be credited with building the Edgewood College baseball team -- a relatively new program that played its first season in 1993 -- and making it a perennial contender for the national championship all in a few short years. In Brisack's second season, the Eagles made their first trip to the NCAA Div. III national tournament. After leading the Eagles to unprecedented heights in 2005 Brisack was awarded the Lake Michigan Conference Coach of the Year.

A great teacher, Brisack has had success at every level he has coached. As head coach at St. Bernard High School in Eureka, Calif., he led the team to five league titles from 1992 to 1999, and was named the ABCA National High School Coach of the Year in 1998 after leading his team to a 27-3 overall record and a No. 1 ranking in the state polls.