WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Palm Beach Atlantic University Director of Athletics Courtney Lovely Evans has announced Brett Bernardo will lead the PBA men's lacrosse program as the interim head coach for the 2024-25 academic year.
 
"I am thankful that Brett has agreed to take over the program for the 2024-25 academic year," Lovely Evans said. "I believe this decision is in the best interest of the program and our student-athletes. Brett is familiar with our program and has helped us improve in his two years here. He has well-established relationships with our current student-athletes and knows the standards we strive to uphold at PBA on and off the field. I am excited to see how he will take advantage of the opportunity presented."
 
Bernardo has been the assistant coach for the Sailfish for two years. He has helped the program reach new heights, including the best single season winning percentage in history in 2024. PBA notched the most conference wins in program history this season, including a ranked win over No. 20-ranked Saint Leo. The team cracked the top-20 in USA Lacrosse Magazine.
 
"I'm grateful to God for opening this door to serve at a university that embodies excellence in all they do," Bernardo said. "I want to thank Courtney Lovely Evans for giving me this opportunity to lead a program that has so much potential. I'd also like to thank Coach Jesse Vanatta for the opportunity to work alongside him over the last two years. It's been a pleasure investing in this team with him, and I'm excited to continue the momentum and success that we've had moving forward."
 
Bernardo has experience as a player and coach at the collegiate level, starting with his playing career at Marist College before transferring to Liberty University. Bernardo was named a two-time MLCA first team all-American with the Flames. He was named SELC Offensive player of the year in 2015.
 
After his playing career, Bernardo began his coaching career with the Flames in 2016. Primarily coaching the offense, he helped lead Liberty to a No. 2-ranking in the MLCA in 2019. He coached seven MLCA all-Americans and 13 all-conference players during his tenure.
 
After three years of coaching at his alma mater, he moved to Grove City College where he helped with the defense and the recruiting efforts, guiding the team to a PAC championship and an appearance in the NCAA DIII tournament. In his season with the Wolverines, the team posted an 11-2 record.
 
Before coming to PBA, Bernardo served as an assistant coach at Messiah University working primarily with the defense and goalies, organizing recruiting camps, and managing the team's social media accounts. In one season with the Falcons, the squad finished with a winning record at home and increased the amount of conference wins to four.
 
Bernardo is actively involved with FCA lacrosse. He began working with them as an intern in 2015 and has stayed involved by coaching camps and teams across the country.