Jennifer Wildes
Head Coach
(630) 829-6141
jwildes@ben.edu

One of the greatest female athletes in school history, Jennifer Wildes (formerly Olson) took over as head coach of the Eagles’ women’s volleyball program in 2005. Additionally, Wildes oversees Benedictine University’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

In her first year as the Eagles’ head coach in 2005, Wildes picked up right where she left off as a student-athlete by winning the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference (NIIC) volleyball championship. The 2005 Eagles had four players named to the All-NIIC volleyball squad and also garnered the league’s “Player of the Year” award (Jessica Tuchowski).

In 2006, the Benedictine program joined the 12-team Northern Athletics Conference (NAC). Wildes' Eagles placed second in the NAC regular season and won the league's first-ever post-season conference tournament title. Three BU players were given NAC post-season honors.

As a collegian, Wildes was a four-year starter (1998-2002) in both volleyball and basketball at Benedictine, earning all-NIIC honors four times in both sports. She was the NIIC volleyball “Player of the Year” three times (1999, 2000, 2001) and NIIC women’s basketball “Player of the Year” for the 1999-2000 season. That year, she was also named Benedictine’s female “Athlete of the Year.” The Eagles won four straight NIIC volleyball crowns during Wildes’ career and the 2001
squad – which finished with a 37-7 record – made an NCAA Tournament appearance.

On the basketball court, Wildes was a major contributor to four winning teams, including one that made the NCAA tournament. She still ranks as the Eagles’ all-time leading scorer (1,563 points) and rebounder (1,161).

A Dean’s List student at Benedictine, Wildes was a member of SAAC and was the business department’s Management and Organizational Behavior “Student of the Year” as a senior. She also earned all-scholastic honors and College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District accolades in 2001.

After earning her bachelor’s degree in management and organizational behavior from Benedictine in 2002, Wildes was an assistant volleyball coach at Illinois Wesleyan University in 2003 and spent two years as a graduate assistant in the Office for Compliance at Illinois State University, where she earned a master’s degree in sports management in 2004.

Wildes is a native of Sterling, Ill., and starred in basketball, track and field and volleyball at Newman Central Catholic High School. She is married to former Benedictine baseball and football player D.J. Wildes, and the couple welcomed their first child (Luke) in April 2007. Her brother Andrew is a senior on the Benedictine men’s basketball team.

Brette Bower
Assistant Coach

Brette Bower joined the Benedictine University staff as assistant volleyball coach in 2005. Prior to that, Bower enjoyed an illustrious career at Illinois Wesleyan University (IWU).

Bower was a 2004 graduate of IWU with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She lettered four years and served as the Titans’ captain during her senior year. She was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player and was named to the All-College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) first team.

At Palatine High School, Bower was also captain and Most Valuable Player.

Since graduating college, Bower has worked as an elementary school teacher in Cicero, Illinois. During her undergraduate days, Bower served as volleyball coach and trainer at Holy Trinity School in Bloomington, Illinois. She also conducted numerous volleyball clinics, served as a referee in many community leagues and coached at the Arlington Heights Park District.

Jaymie Schnack
Assistant Coach

Jaymie Schnack returned to her alma mater in 2006 as an assistant coach. Schnack earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from Benedictine University in 2001.

Schnack enjoyed an outstanding career in the Eagles’ colors, as she was a part of three conference championship teams. She also earned All-Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference accolades twice and was the team’s captain as a senior.

A native of Rockton, Ill., Schnack played at Hononegah High School. Since graduating from college, she has also remained an active member of USA Volleyball.

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