From basketball courts to fashion runways, Bri Kreider (formerly Bri Welch) has built a life full of passion, purpose, and impact. A proud Kettering Fairmont graduate of 2009, Bri’s journey reflects resilience, creativity, and a commitment to giving back to her community.

Life at Fairmont

During her years at Fairmont, Bri was a well-rounded student—contributing to the Yearbook staff, singing with the Symphonic Chorale, competing in Track & Field, and, most notably, suiting up for the Girls Basketball Team. Her time on the court left the deepest mark. “Basketball influenced me the most,” she shares. “It was life—I’d go to school, practice, then go home and keep shooting in the driveway. Basketball taught me resilience through adversity, lessons that I carry with me today.”

Career & Achievements

After graduation, Bri’s passion for basketball took her far. She:

• Coached Division II basketball while living in New York City (2020–2023).

• Served as a basketball trainer at Fastbreak Sports, working with kids ages 6–16.

• Earned the prestigious ETHOS Award as basketball coach at Success Academy Charter School in NYC (2021).

• Worked alongside the Brooklyn Nets (2021).

Today, Bri has returned home to Ohio as the fitness teacher at The Greater Dayton School.

But her professional path hasn’t been limited to basketball. While living in New York, Bri was also involved in the fashion world—working at New York Fashion Week, being requested to assist at the Met Gala, and learning under mentors like the head of Fabric Sourcing for Calvin Klein. She even collaborated with Kimberly Goldson, winner of Project Runway Season 9.

Family & Community

Bri and her husband, Mark Kreider, are raising two boys—Ace (7) and Reggie (2)—in Kettering, where they attend St. Charles Catholic Church. Bri says she’s excited to raise her sons in the same basketball community that shaped her.

Her drive to give back is evident in her creation of Bitty Ballers, a basketball program for kids ages 3–7. The initiative has been featured on Channel 2 News, in the Dayton Daily News, and even received recognition from former Mayor Rhine McLin. With its motto, “Why Not Them? Why Not Now?”, Bitty Ballers brings in guest appearances from college athletes, WNBA players, Harlem Globetrotters, and even international professionals—making sure that young athletes don’t have to wait until “someday” to be inspired.

Words of Wisdom

When asked what advice she would give to today’s graduates, Bri says:
“Don’t ever be afraid to be yourself. Your authenticity cannot be replicated. Utilize ALL of your talents out there in the real world!”

Proud to Be a Firebird

Bri remains proud to be a Fairmont alum, staying connected through basketball and community involvement. “I want to give back to the basketball community in and around Kettering,” she says. Her story shows just how far a Fairmont Firebird can soar—with resilience, creativity, and heart leading the way.

Building Community through Basketball  

Building community and camaraderie is part of what makes basketball so special, and the Cedarville Men's and Women's Basketball Teams showed up in full support at the recent Bitty Ballers Kobe Bryant themed camp on August 24.

Follow Bri and the Bitty Ballers on Facebook (@Bittyballersbasketball) and Instagram (@BittyBallers24).

✨ Fun Fact: Alongside her basketball career, Bri once immersed herself in the fashion industry in New York City—a little-known side of her journey that demonstrates her fearless approach to trying new things and pursuing passions.