While she was living and training as a professional swimmer at the University of Kentucky, Bridgette Alexander was also coaching.

It’s a passion she’s had since she was a young athlete, and it’s a dream that’s been perpetuated by a host of coaches and mentors (and even family) in her life.

“I have always loved the sport, loved learning how to improve and get faster in the water,” said Alexander, a former National Team member and the 2017 World University Games bronze medalist in the 200 backstroke.

“I didn’t really realize my passion for leading others or getting others to perform at their best until my time at Kentucky. Specifically, as a two-year captain.”

Now, having retired from competitive swimming late last fall, she’s moving on from Kentucky to take over as an assistant coach with the University of Buffalo – and she’s incredibly excited because she knows she’s following her heart as well as her future.

She said she ultimately decided to hang up her suit and goggles for good after some self-reflection and growth. She wasn’t swimming the times she wanted to or was training for, and felt like she had done her part in the sport as an athlete but wasn’t finding as much joy in it as she once had.

“Because I was professionally swimming, I was able to work very closely as the volunteer assistant coach at the University of Kentucky,” she said. “As I learned that this was what I was passionate about and eventually make a career out of it, I got more and more involved on the pool deck at UK.

“Some of my mentors include my head coach Lars Jorgensen, my two club coaches, Cheri Zimdars and Joan Domitrz, and my own dad. Even though my dad was never officially a ‘coach,’ he led and motivated me in all areas of my life that I try to mimic in my own coaching style.”

As her time at UK was coming to a close, Alexander said she knew it was time to get a full-time coaching job.

During the course of her short but impactful coaching career, she’s relied upon her own experiences as an athlete and realized her favorite coaches were the ones who were engaged in what she was doing, had a ton of energy and were visibly passionate about what they were doing.

She wants to do the same and show her athletes that she loves them and will do everything in her power for them to become the best athlete and person they can be.

Because of the pandemic, there weren’t a lot of opportunities out there, but one of her coaches at Kentucky texted her one day with a shining prospect.

“He said ‘What do you think about Buffalo? I responded something like, ‘Heck yeah, let’s do it!’” she said. “This coach, Michael Camper, had actually worked alongside Head Coach Andy Bashor at the University at Buffalo for a year with the men’s team.”

Even though she officially started with Buffalo on June 1, with the pandemic, Alexander said there was no “real rush” to get to campus until it was safe and appropriate – so she worked remotely for a month.

This past weekend, she packed up her belongings and made the move north to join the Buffalo coaching team in person and embark upon this next phase of her career.

“As far as being on deck, coach Andy and myself will be working a lot together to take a mix of each group,” said Alexander, who earned her bachelor’s (kinesiology and health promotion) and Master’s (sport leadership and administration) degrees in 5 years at Kentucky.

“I might be more comfortable with the back and flyers, but I am excited for the opportunity to learn and gain experience with all of the specialties.”

Alexander said what she’s most looking forward to in her new role is learning everything she can from Bashor.

She considers herself “lucky” because she gets to be his right-hand and learn hands-on alongside him.

“I am also excited about my squad size,” she said. “The fact that there are only 30-some girls on the team brings me peace of mind knowing that I can really get to know and help each and every one of them.

“What I love about coaching is that you can really see the results of this. In swimming, yes, I get times and paces, but it’s all about enabling that swimming to perform at his or her best. Whether that be in physical training, mental training, or both. Collegiate coaching allows me to help these student-athletes in ways that will set themselves up for the best in their own lives.”

Alexander added that, as a former swimmer, National Teamer and professional, she knows she brings a lot to the table when it comes to working with young swimmers.

She knows a lot of the ins and outs of what it takes to be great, and as a coach, she thinks this brings her a lot of respect from the athletes with whom she works.

And as a woman, gaining respect and leading athletes – especially as a former top competitor – brings credibility and breaks down more barriers that still exist in coaching.

“A lot of female leaders in the sport get driven out because they are burned out from the demands,” she said. “I think if I can make it known that it is possible for elite female athletes, and females in general, to get into a leadership role, such as coaching, I can be a great resource and example to young girls everywhere. That’s the goal anyway.”