Serge Lebel burst onto the college badminton scene in 1982-83, following a successful high school career.

In his first season, this left-hander swept his way through the OCAA championship, going undefeated in winning the men's singles gold medal. Then, in front of a hometown crowd at Canadore College in North Bay, Ont., Lebel won the CCAA national championship while going 7-0 in round-robin play. Canadore College capped Lebel's season by naming him their Male Athlete of the Year.

His success at the provincial level continued, as he won the men's singles title in 1983-84 and 1984-85, making for a total of three consecutive Ontario titles. In both seasons, Lebel went on to finish fourth at the CCAA championship.