Alum Nadeau Takes Over REDS
(FREDERICTON, NB) The UNB REDS tennis program has added a familiar face.
Chris Nadeau (BPE’96), who played three seasons with UNB’s men’s hockey team, has taken over as head coach of the REDS’ women’s and men’s tennis teams.
“It was an honour to be considered for this opportunity,” Nadeau said. “When the committee reached out, I was both surprised and excited. I love tennis and I love helping players grow. But what really drew me to this role is the team aspect. Team tennis brings together my background in hockey and my passion for tennis in the best way.”
Nadeau brings a deep passion for sport, athlete development, and building winning cultures with him.
He spent three seasons with UNB’s men’s hockey team, playing in 66 regular season games during the 1993-94, 1994-95, and 1995-96 seasons.
After graduating, he spent four seasons playing professionally in the East Coast Hockey League and the old Western Professional Hockey League, where he helped Shreveport win a pair of championships.
He didn’t grow up playing competitive tennis and his journey into the sport was inspired by his children.
He coached his son Cade, who played in the NCAA and who is breaking in to professional tennis, and helped coach his daughter, Cali.
Those experiences, combined with his work as Tennis Director at the Rothesay Tennis Club, one of the largest clubs in New Brunswick, have shaped his approach to developing athletes on and off the court.
“Coaching Cade gave me a real appreciation for how hard tennis is,” he said. “It’s mentally demanding, and I learned so much watching how players need to manage emotions, pressure, and performance. That experience will help me support the athletes at UNB.”
For Nadeau, leading UNB Tennis is about more than results, it’s about building a sustainable culture.
“I want to help create a program where players enjoy the process, not just the outcome,” he said. “A growth mindset is everything. If you can develop that in your sport, it sticks with you for life.”
Nadeau has big goals for the program, including helping UNB become the top university destination for tennis players in Atlantic Canada, and building a foundation strong enough to compete at the national championships every year.
But first, year one.
“We want to hit the ground running,” he said. “That means building a team identity, setting a strong training structure, and supporting our returning student-athletes while recruiting top talent to Fredericton.”
He credits his time as a UNB student-athlete for helping shape him.
“I had an incredible experience here. It’s also where I met my wife. There’s something special about the Fredericton campus. It has a great energy. Coming back now, with the chance to help shape a new generation of student-athletes, is a full-circle moment for me.”
STORY: UNB ATHLETICS
PHOTO: Submitted