Lamar Frizzell ’86 came to Bryan College in 1983 as a new believer with a deep desire to grow in God’s Word and prepare for ministry. While at Bryan, he was shaped by professors and leaders such as Dr. Theodore Mercer, Dr. Brian Richardson, Dr. Bill Brown, and others who modeled authentic Christian faith and servant leadership. Their example helped Lamar develop not only academically, but also personally, as he learned to live out the motto Christ Above All.
Lamar’s college years were marked by both challenge and blessing. He and his wife, Penny, welcomed twin sons, Jonathan and Joshua, during his senior year—born 10 weeks premature, with Jonathan facing lifelong medical needs. Despite hardships, Bryan’s steady foundation of faith and community strengthened Lamar to persevere, graduate, and carry those lessons into life and ministry.
Following Bryan, Lamar earned his Master of Divinity at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary and pursued further doctoral studies. He has served faithfully in pastoral ministry, biblical counseling, and hospital leadership. Today, he is the CEO of Recovery Centers of America at Capital Region in Maryland, a substance abuse treatment facility.
Lamar and Penny have been married for 43 years and are the proud parents of five children and grandparents of five. With gratitude to Bryan for its lifelong influence, Lamar continues to live out his calling as a Christ-centered servant leader.
Erik Parks (’04) came to Christ at a young age, but it wasn’t until he attended Bryan College that his worldview truly began to come into focus. His friends and professors were instrumental in pointing him toward a closer relationship with the Lord. During his junior year, he spent a semester at the Los Angeles Film Studies Center in Hollywood, California. There, he studied film and interned at Avenue Pictures. Shortly thereafter, he graduated from Bryan with a degree in Communication Arts and took a job in Nashville, Tennessee at VCE Productions.
In his role at VCE Productions, he writes, directs, and edits commercial video work for his clients. Over the years, Erik has also written, produced, directed, and edited multiple short films and has taken home several awards for his work. In the last few years, he has written multiple feature-length screenplays. His love of storytelling and the creative process led him to produce his first feature film in 2019 called Why We Breathe. The movie was picked up for distribution by Crown Entertainment in 2020. He is currently in pre-production on his second feature film called Made Clean.
Catherine (Strode) Parks (’05) graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature. While at Bryan, she played varsity volleyball for three years and served in student government and as an RA. She and Erik got to know each other on a Break for Change trip to Italy, and after she graduated, they were married and made their home in Nashville, where they have lived for the past 20 years. They have two children: Sophie (18) and Micah (15). While at Bryan, Catherine obtained a minor in writing, and she has been able to use it in a variety of jobs, including her current position as an acquisitions editor for Moody Publishers. She is also the author of five books, the most recent being What to Wear, a middle-grade Bible study on Colossians 3. In her after-work hours, she coaches volleyball for Franklin Classical School.
Catherine credits Bryan College with equipping her to live a life of purpose and meaning for the glory of God. Her professors and friends sharpened her to think critically and to look with love and compassion on the world around her. She considers her years at Bryan as part of the class of 2005 an incredible blessing, and she is encouraged to see her classmates’ examples in living out their callings all around the world.
Janet Piatt first came to Bryan College in the summer of 1992 through her connection with basketball coach Morris Michalski. Just one week after her wedding, she and her husband, John ‘94, arrived in Dayton, where Janet stepped into the role of Registrar, following in the footsteps of Barbara (Howard) Prosser ’73. John enrolled as a transfer student and, over the next two years, completed his bachelor’s degree in Bible under the mentorship of professors like Dr. Gary Phillips ’91H. During that time, both Janet and John developed a deep love for Bryan College and the Rhea County community.
Although the Piatt family originally planned to be at Bryan for only two years, leaving proved difficult. When John enrolled in seminary, they moved to Illinois, where he attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. During their seven years there, they welcomed their children, John ’20 and Sarah, and formed lasting friendships, including a special connection with Ken ’89 and Amy (Ezell) Cleaver ’90. Yet Bryan remained close to their hearts.
In the spring of 2001, Bryan College reached out unexpectedly to invite Janet to return as Registrar, as Dr. Ron Petitte was moving into a faculty role. Though she never anticipated such an opportunity, Janet and her family soon returned to campus during a season marked by the Mercer Hall fire and the challenges of transitioning offices from temporary trailers back into the renovated building. Despite the daunting task of restoring records and reestablishing order, Janet faithfully led the effort alongside her trusted colleague, Associate Registrar Brenda Wooten ’98H, whose steadfast service blessed the college for many years.
Over the course of more than three decades, Janet has served Bryan College with dedication and grace. To her, Bryan has been far more than a workplace—it has been a community of colleagues, friends, and students who have walked alongside her family in times of joy, trial, and heartache. Through it all, she has seen God’s faithful provision and guidance, and she remains deeply grateful for the place Bryan College holds in her life.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
— Psalm 27:14
David Wolfe ’73 came to Bryan after a year of missions in Taiwan, where he developed a lifelong passion for ministry and sharing the Gospel. At Bryan, he became one of the college’s most decorated runners. He was a three-time Cross Country MVP (1970–72), set multiple course records, and in 1972 was named Bryan’s Outstanding Athlete. That same year, he won the State meet, placed 3rd in District, and finished 90th out of 400 at the NAIA National Meet, just shy of All-American status. Over his career, he claimed numerous invitational and dual meet victories, including first place in 9 of 12 races during the 1971 season, while continually lowering Bryan’s home-course records.
More than his athletic achievements, David’s life was defined by his devotion to Christ. At Bryan, he immersed himself in Scripture and Bible study, building a deep friendship with Karen Brodsky ’73 that grew into a 46-year marriage and ministry partnership. Together they raised 12 children (seven adopted) and gave their lives to teaching, missions, and hospitality—welcoming international students, foster children, and friends into their home. David also taught math at Bryan, Pikes Peak Community College, and beyond, always seeing his classrooms as mission fields.
Even after a stroke in 2010 left him wheelchair-bound, David’s life reflected Hebrews 12:1–2 as he continued to “run with endurance the race set before him.” He passed away in 2021, remembered as a gifted runner, teacher, and servant of Christ whose last words summed up his life: “It’s all about love… loving God, loving your family, loving people.”
Randi never planned to attend Bryan College—but God clearly had other plans. What began as a door closed to other opportunities quickly became the foundation for lifelong friendships, a deeper walk with God, and the beginning of a remarkable athletic career.
On the court, Randi was a standout in both volleyball (2001–2004) and basketball (2003–2005). She was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team, earned All-Conference honors three times, was selected to the All-Region XII Second Team, and even earned recognition as National Volleyball Player of the Week. As a senior, she captained the Lady Lions to the AAC Champions of Character Award, balancing athletic excellence with leadership and integrity. In the classroom, she was also named an AAC Scholar-Athlete.
Beyond the accolades, Randi’s years at Bryan were defined by friendships that have lasted a lifetime, a growing passion for missions, and a heart to glorify God through competition. Following graduation, she returned to coaching—first at Bryan as a student assistant in both basketball and volleyball, and then at her high school alma mater, where she has coached for nearly two decades, leading her teams to multiple state championship runs. For Randi, volleyball has always been about more than championships or stat lines—it has been a calling to disciple and shape young women for God’s glory.
Today, Randi continues to live out that calling as a coach, mentor, wife, and mother. Her journey has also included international mission work, a deep love for apologetics, and a powerful testimony of God’s faithfulness through adoption and family. She counts her greatest blessings not in wins or awards, but in seeing God weave His story through her life.
Bryan College is proud to induct Randi Sewell into the Bryan College Sports Hall of Fame for her achievements, leadership, and lasting impact on and off the court.
The 2000 Bryan College Men’s Basketball Team carved its place in history with a season defined by determination, teamwork, and resilience. Their journey was more than just wins and losses—it was about a group of young men who believed in each other and in the power of hard work, discipline, and unity.
That year, the Lions captured the first conference championship in school history, becoming Co-Champions and earning Bryan’s first-ever automatic bid to the NAIA National Tournament. This milestone was not only a triumph for the program but also a defining moment for the college, placing Bryan basketball on the national stage for the first time.
The season’s turning point came in the final stretch of the regular season. Facing adversity and tough competition, the Lions rose to the occasion with an incredible 11-game winning streak to close out the year. Each victory was fueled by unselfish play, relentless defense, and clutch performances that inspired fans and brought the Bryan community together in celebration.
The team was coached by the great Morris Michalski – otherwise known as Coach Mo. He was the leader who instilled godly character and conduct into his players. Beyond the statistics, what truly set this team apart was their character—on and off the court. They were known for their leadership in the locker room, their commitment to one another, and their willingness to outwork opponents in every practice and game.
For their groundbreaking achievements, unwavering resolve, and the legacy they left for future Bryan athletes, the 2000 Bryan College Men’s Basketball Team is rightfully honored with induction into the Bryan College Sports Hall of Fame.
