MILWAUKEE, Wis. (January 7, 2016) – Bryant & Stratton College announced today the hiring of Brian Richert as the head coach of its Wisconsin men's basketball program for the college's inaugural 2016-17 season. Richert will be an integral part in establishing the Bobcats' men's basketball program, which will be the only Division II junior college basketball program in the state.

"I'm very excited for this opportunity, Richert said. "I love the challenges ahead. I thrive on them and look forward to putting Bryant & Stratton College basketball on the map."

A Wisconsin native, Richert has more than 25 years coaching experience at the collegiate and high school levels.  Richert was head men's basketball coach at Milwaukee Area Technical College from 2000-03 where he was named NJCAA District 13 Coach of the Year. He went on to be the boys' varsity head coach at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wis., from 2003-2010. Richert holds the St. John's coaching record for most career wins and most wins in a season. Then from 2010-15 as head basketball coach, Richert helped launch a post-high school graduate men's basketball team, where Richert sent 33 players to Division I programs after St. John's.

Additionally, Richert has coached basketball at Ripon College, Carroll College, Waukesha County Technical College and New Berlin West High School.

"We are extremely excited to have Coach Richert join the Bryant & Stratton College Bobcats family," said Greg Brandner, Bryant & Stratton College's Athletic Director. "Brian has a successful track record coaching, developing and mentoring student athletes throughout his career. His reputation, local ties and will to win is a major asset to launching our basketball program." 

Richert earned his bachelor's degree in Sports Management at Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, Fla. as a student athlete playing basketball.  He was later named on the Saint Leo's 1980s All-Decade Team. Richert earned a master's in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Richert's passion and knowledge of basketball comes naturally growing up around the game through his basketball family. His father, Gary Richert, coached basketball at St. John's in the 1970s and at
Saint Leo's for eight years before returning back to St. John's as the alumni director and head football coach.  Brian's brother, Tim Richert, is the boy's head basketball coach at Young Coggs Prep High School in Milwaukee leading them to a WIAA Division 5 state title in 2015.

Bryant & Stratton College is starting men's basketball, women's basketball and men's golf this fall with plans to expand to eight sports by 2020. For more information about Bryant & Stratton College visit bryantstratton.edu or call 414-847-1559. For information on the National Junior College Athletic Association visit njcaa.org.