Week 1 Open the Gate Honoree: Coach Tony Bresky
8/26/2025 9:00:00 AM | General, Men's Tennis
Fresh off of winning the program’s second national championship, Wake Forest men’s tennis head coach Tony Bresky will serve as the Open the Gate honoree for Opening Night against Kennesaw State.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest men's tennis head coach Tony Bresky, who guided the men's tennis program to its second NCAA National Championship, the ITA Indoor National Championship, the ACC regular season championship, and the best record in school history in 2025, will serve as the Open the Gate honoree during the Demon Deacons' Week One matchup against Kennesaw State on Friday, August 29 at 7 p.m. ET inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
Bresky, who was named ITA National Coach of the Year for the second time in his career, led the Demon Deacons to their second national title in program history, defeating defending national champion TCU in the final, 4-2. The Deacs also claimed the ITA Indoor National Championship for the first time since 2018, also defeating TCU in the final.
Along with their national championship success, Bresky and the men's tennis team recorded a program-best 40 wins as they went undefeated for the first time in school history. The Deacs also claimed the ACC Regular Season Championship, helping Bresky earn his third ACC Coach of the Year honor.
Since arriving in Winston-Salem in 2011, Bresky has transformed the Wake Forest program into one of the most dominant programs in collegiate tennis. Over his 15 years in charge, the Demon Deacons have won two NCAA Championships (2018, 2025), two ITA Indoor National Championships (2018, 2025), three ACC Tournament titles (2016, 2018, 2019), and four ACC Regular Season Championships (2017-19, 2025).
He also holds the school records for both career wins (370) and ACC victories (120). Bresky also holds the best winning percentage in program history, going 370-98 (.791) over his career with the Deacs, including an incredible 120-34 (.779) in ACC play.
During his tenure with Wake Forest, Bresky has produced 21 All-Americans, 26 All-ACC honorees, and 22 All-ACC Academic honorees.
Prior to his time with the Demon Deacons, Bresky had spent previous coaching stints as he served as the head coach at Western Illinois during the 2011 season, the associate head coach for Virginia from 2005-2010, and a graduate assistant coach at Indiana State.
Before his coaching career, Bresky was a dominant player for the Western Illinois men's tennis program, playing four years for the Leathernecks while earning Mid-Continent Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 1994 and garnering league player of the year accolades in each of the next three seasons. He led WIU to the program's first Mid-Continent Conference championship in 1995 and successfully defended the team title the following year. His 89 career singles victories and 181 combined victories still stand atop the Western Illinois all-time leaderboard.
Bresky was ultimately inducted into the Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Open the Gate Information & 2025 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition, established in 2008, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Honorees are recognized during football games by leading the team onto the field alongside the Demon Deacon mascot.
Week 1 - Tony Bresky
Bresky, who was named ITA National Coach of the Year for the second time in his career, led the Demon Deacons to their second national title in program history, defeating defending national champion TCU in the final, 4-2. The Deacs also claimed the ITA Indoor National Championship for the first time since 2018, also defeating TCU in the final.
Along with their national championship success, Bresky and the men's tennis team recorded a program-best 40 wins as they went undefeated for the first time in school history. The Deacs also claimed the ACC Regular Season Championship, helping Bresky earn his third ACC Coach of the Year honor.
Since arriving in Winston-Salem in 2011, Bresky has transformed the Wake Forest program into one of the most dominant programs in collegiate tennis. Over his 15 years in charge, the Demon Deacons have won two NCAA Championships (2018, 2025), two ITA Indoor National Championships (2018, 2025), three ACC Tournament titles (2016, 2018, 2019), and four ACC Regular Season Championships (2017-19, 2025).
He also holds the school records for both career wins (370) and ACC victories (120). Bresky also holds the best winning percentage in program history, going 370-98 (.791) over his career with the Deacs, including an incredible 120-34 (.779) in ACC play.
During his tenure with Wake Forest, Bresky has produced 21 All-Americans, 26 All-ACC honorees, and 22 All-ACC Academic honorees.
Prior to his time with the Demon Deacons, Bresky had spent previous coaching stints as he served as the head coach at Western Illinois during the 2011 season, the associate head coach for Virginia from 2005-2010, and a graduate assistant coach at Indiana State.
Before his coaching career, Bresky was a dominant player for the Western Illinois men's tennis program, playing four years for the Leathernecks while earning Mid-Continent Conference Freshman of the Year honors in 1994 and garnering league player of the year accolades in each of the next three seasons. He led WIU to the program's first Mid-Continent Conference championship in 1995 and successfully defended the team title the following year. His 89 career singles victories and 181 combined victories still stand atop the Western Illinois all-time leaderboard.
Bresky was ultimately inducted into the Western Illinois Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
Open the Gate Information & 2025 Honorees
The Open the Gate tradition, established in 2008, celebrates individuals who have made significant contributions to the Wake Forest and Winston-Salem communities. Honorees are recognized during football games by leading the team onto the field alongside the Demon Deacon mascot.
Week 1 - Tony Bresky
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