Edgewood University Athletics

It was over a quarter century in the making, but last week a former H-DNL player and coach and a Humboldt Crabs Hall of Famer reached a rare career milestone.

Al Brisack, who played and coached at St. Bernard’s, posted his 500th career win as head coach at Edgewood University in a 14-4 win over Wisconsin Lutheran.

Brisack has been the head coach of the Division-III Eagles since 2000 and has enjoyed plenty of success during his time in charge of the team.

The former Crusader has won three conference titles at Edgewood, while also taking the Eagles to two NCAA Division III National Tournaments and finishing one game from the World Series in 2005.

During his previous 26 years in charge of the program, Brisack and the Eagles have reached the postseason 15 times.

Before joining the Wisconsin school, Brisack was a coach with the Humboldt Crabs from 1996 to 1999 under manager Shorty Ames.

He also played for the Crabs in 1989 and 1990 and is in the club’s hall of fame both as a player and as a coach.

As head coach at St. Bernard’s from 1992 to 1999, Brisack compiled a 156-50 record and led the Crusaders to five league titles and seven North Coast Section appearances.

He enjoyed one of his best seasons at SB in 1998 when his team finished 27-3 and he was named the ABCA National High School Coach of the Year.

In addition to serving as head coach of the Eagles, Brisack was also the Edgewood College Director of Athletics from 2006 until 2022 and he currently serves as the College’s Associate VP for Athletic Development.

This season, Brisack and the Eagles are 10-8 overall and 4-2 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

He is 501-537 all-time with the program.

Al’s son Brevin Brisack is an assistant coach with the team.