Pictured from left to right: front row-Heather Davis, Barbara Cargill, Carol Roebuck, Mandy Harper, Amy Harvill; second row-Darry Marshall, Ted Parrish, Bob Shirey, Brett Davenport, Mitch Davis, Dr. Michael Mitchell; third row-Captain Paul Pearigen, Skip Redmond-V.P. Advancement, Lee Smith, Donnie Spence, Terry Waterbury, Steve Simpson-Headmaster

Pictured left to right front row: Craig Thompson, Sandy Hackett, Linda Sparks, Judy Hogue, Wendy Morrow, Len Getz, Steve Tackett, Walt Holman   Back Row: Claude Pearson, Rick Orr, Carly Powers, Jim Bodron, Skip Redmond, Gregg Hauss, Don Stewart, Mike Moffitt

For the fourth year, the Briarcrest Alumni Association recognized distinguished alumni and faculty with the 2008 homecoming awards:

The Paul Piper Distinguished Alumni Award is given each year to thirty year graduates of Briarcrest Christian School who have shown outstanding achievement in their professional careers and/or have been recognized for their influential leadership and support of educational, civic, religious or charitable causes. The recipients for 2008 are:

Mrs. Linda Jones Sparks is a BCS 1979 graduate.  She received a B.A. degree in business from Mississippi State University.  She has supported and been actively involved in the Memphis community through the organizations:  LeBonheur, Women’s Foundation, Pink Palace, Youth for Christ, Young Life, Memphis Heart Gala and the Kappa Delta chapter advisory board at the University of Mississippi.  She is currently serving her 16^th year on the Executive Board of the Greater Memphis Area of Special Olympics where she has chaired numerous fundraising events to raise money to provide year-round sports for over 2000 athletes in the Memphis area.  Linda and her husband, Robert, have been active members of Germantown Baptist Church for the past 23 years where Linda has served as a children’s Sunday School teacher, and Vacation Bible School director. Linda has been very involved at our current high school where she served on numerous committees such as the Senior Moms committee while both of her sons, Justin, a 2005 graduate, and Taylor, a  recent 2008 graduate, attended school here. Linda has been married to her husband, Robert, for 26 years. The Sparks family has also served as past annual giving chairperson for BCS. 

Mr. Craig Thompson is a BCS graduate of 1979. He attended Memphis State University and graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of fine arts degree.  He spent ten years in the advertising business before he opened his own graphic design firm, Disciple Design, which  focuses its work on churches and non-profit organizations. A few of Craig’s noted accomplishments include the design of the “leaping tiger” athletic logo for The University of Memphis; the design of CD packaging for the Christian music industry; and the recent redesign of the BCS identity.  Craig opened Disciple Gallery in 2004 to provide a place for artists of faith to display their work.  Craig has received numerous awards such as two national Addy awards; local and regional Addy awards; several Best of Shows and other special awards from the Memphis Advertising Federation; three Dove nominations for recorded music packaging and two New York Art Directors Club Awards. Craig is currently on the Board of Directors of two non-profit mission minded organizations: Seeds Ministries and CrossLink Ministries. Craig is married to Cindy O’Daniel Thompson, a 1979 BCS alumna.  They have two children, Rachel, a 2005 BCS graduate, and Nate, a 2008 BCS graduate.  Craig and Cindy have been members of Bartlett United Methodist Church for 24 years where they have taught communion class for the past seven years.

The Danny Childs Distinguished Faculty Society recognizes current and former faculty members for their exemplary career in the pursuit of academic excellence and the development of young Christian men and women.  The recipients for 2008 are:

Mrs. Sandy Hackett began her Briarcrest career in 1985 as Librarian for the Bartlett and Trafalgar schools followed by the Ridgeway school.  She came to the main campus as the middle and high school librarian in 1990 then moved to the current high school campus in 2003.  Sandy received her B.A. degree from Union University and her graduate degree from  the University of Memphis. She has been awarded the Dottie McClung Outstanding Teacher award. She has served on the original Teacher Council; coordinated Who’s Who and Hall of Fame; co-chaired SACS Evaluation Committee; Spelling Bee Coordinator and currently administers a library worth over a quarter of a million dollars. Some of Sandy’s community activities include: past president of Chi Omega Alumnae Association; past president of Subsidium; past officer of Les Passes; Memphis Symphony League; Friends of the Library and Friends of the Orpheum. Sandy is a member at Bellevue Baptist Church and has been married to Bill Hackett for 45 years. They have three daughters- Eryn, a 1987 BCS graduate, twins Sarah and Sandra and three grandchildren. 

Mrs. Judy Hogue graduated from the University of Memphis with a bachelor of science in elementary education. She began teaching at Briarcrest at the Ridgeway campus in 1984. She has taught seventh and eighth grade English and Bible. She has served as the Wordsmith writing coach for the middle school and the Wordsmith judge for competition. Judy has also served on the Teacher Council, as the Honor Council Faculty sponsor; and the seventh grade team leader since its inception at the middle school.  She received the Dr. Claire Cox Award for Teacher Excellence in 1995.  Currently, Judy is a seventh grade English teacher where she serves as the Honor Council Faculty representative, the lead teacher for the English department and is the faculty representative for faculty evaluations. Judy is a member of Christ United Methodist Church. She has been married to her husband, Hank, for 41 years. Their two sons, Trey and Chris, are both BCS graduates and their grandson, Jackson, just started senior kindergarten at BCS.                           

Mr. Rick Orr began his teaching career at BCHS in 1992.  He has taught Math, Geography, Ancient Civilization, World History and U.S. History.  He attended the University of Memphis where he received a bachelor of science degree in recreation and a bachelor of science degree in secondary education.  Rick has coached high school track, softball, football, wrestling, soccer and basketball.  He has been an assistant coach for girls’ basketball on four state championship teams and five state runner up teams.  Rick has been named Who’s Who in American Teachers six times.  Rick has been married to his wife, Kathy, for 31 years and they have two children. Rick is a member of First Evangelical Church.

Mr. Carly Powers has been employed at BCS since 1984 when he taught driver’s education during the day and coached football, freshman basketball and varsity track. For the past thirteen years, he has served as the Athletic Director for BCHS. Carly graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned a bachelor of science degree in administration. Carly has also taught and coached at Hernando High School, Olive Branch High School, Oakhaven Baptist Academy, Germantown High School and Evangelical Christian School. Carly is a member of numerous professional organizations such as the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association, National Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the National Athletic Directors Association.  He has been married to his wife, Angie, for 27 years.  They have two sons who are graduates of BCS, Preston, class of 2006, and Taylor, recent class of 2008. Their last son, Conner, is a freshman at BCHS. Carly’s hobbies include playing golf and watching his boys play ball. Carly and his family are members of Germantown Baptist Church.

Mr. Steve Tackett started his Briarcrest career in 1977. He received his bachelor and master of arts degrees from the University of Memphis. Steve has served six years as the first chairman of the Department of Foreign Languages. He is the first recipient and the first two-time recipient of the Dr. Clair E. Cox Award for Teacher Excellence. In 1992 he received a grant to attend the National Endowment for the Humanities at Princeton University. In 1993 Steve attended the Tennessee Governor’s Academy for Foreign Language Teachers. He has attended 24 National Junior Classical League conventions across the country. In 2005, Steve received the Tennessee Classical Association’s Distinguished Latin Teaching Award. He belongs to numerous professional organizations such as the American Classical League, Classical Association of Middle West and South and the Tennessee Classical Association where Steve currently serves as the president. He teaches standard, honors and AP Latin and is the test center supervisor for the ACT Assessment at our high school. Steve attends Ridgeway Baptist Church where he is actively involved in the music ministry.  Steve is a volunteer docent at WONDERS: Memphis International Cultural Series and enjoys traveling to Europe.

The Briarcrest Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the various coaches, administrators, athletes, and friends who have contributed to the overall outstanding nature of the BCS athletic program.  The recipients for 2008 are:

Mrs. Wendy Garrett Morrow graduated from BCHS in 1990.  She was a standout volleyball athlete. She attended Southern Illinois University on a volleyball scholarship then transferred to Kansas State University and finished out her three years of eligibility. Wendy graduated in 1995 from KSU with a B.S. degree in Hotel & Restaurant Management. She spent ten years in the hotel industry in sales and training then two years as a training manager for an international distribution company. Wendy is currently self-employed as an independent consultant for the hotel industry, substitutes at local schools in Wichita, Kansas and conducts Gallup Strengths training seminars at her church.  She and her husband, Chod, currently live in Wichita, Kansas with their children, Garrett, and twins, Carter and Sydney.

Mrs. Len Nobert Getz is a 1988 BCS graduate. During her high school volleyball career, she was named All Metro, All Regional, All State, District All Tournament, Tennessee State Championship Volleyball team and Tennessee All State Tournament team.  Len was selected for the Tennessee Sportswriter’s All State team and Best of the Preps Volleyball Player of the Year by The Commercial Appeal her senior year. In addition, Len was also a standout basketball player at BCS. She was named All Metro, Most Valuable Player, and co-captain for two consecutive years.  During her senior year, she was recognized by The Commercial Appeal as Player of the Week, named District and Regional All Tournament Team, Tennessee AA Regional Most Valuable Player, State Championship All Tournament team, Most Valuable Player at BCHS and nominated as a Best of the Preps basketball finalist by The Commercial Appeal. After graduation, Len attended Western Kentucky University on a full volleyball scholarship where she was also a member of the ladies’ basketball team. She received her B.S.N. degree from Union University and her Masters’ degree in Science and Nursing from the University of Tennessee. Len is currently a family nurse practitioner with a local internal medicine office.  She and her husband, Joseph, are the proud parents of their two boys, Joseph Brennan, and John Sennett. Len has competed in 18 marathons winning two of them in Jackson, Tennessee. 

Mr. Jim Bodron is a 1981 graduate who excelled in football. In 1980, he was the team captain, named third team All-State, all Shelby County, and All Metro.  In 1981, he won the Scholar-Athlete Award in the Memphis Chapter of the National Football Hall of Fame.  Jim was named to The Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps for the 1980-81 school year. Jim played football for Tennessee Tech University where he lettered all four years. He graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. Jim currently is the Chief of Operations Division for the Memphis District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He has been married to his wife, Donna, for 19 years, and they have three children, Jimbo, Grace and Billy who are very active in sports. They currently live in Heber Springs, Arkansas.

 Mr. Gregg Hauss graduated from BCS in 1980. He was a placekicker and wide receiver on the football team during his high school years. He lettered in football three years and was named All-district 14-AAA as placekicker.  He was president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes his senior year.  He trusted Christ as his Savior at a FCA event as a freshman. In 1980, Gregg walked on the University of Memphis football team and was a three year letterman as a placekicker. He was a starter and lead scorer in 1981.  He graduated with a BBA degree in marketing in 1984.  Gregg received his master of theology degree in 1989 from Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas. Gregg served as a student minister at Peachtree Corners Baptist Church in Norcross, Georgia, and is currently serving as student minister at Bellevue Baptist Church working with high school students. Gregg has volunteered in the past years at BCS as a spokesman for chapel programs as well as a mentor for the middle school. Gregg is married to, Allyson Burroughs Hauss, BCS class of 1982, and has three children: Kimberlee, Stephen and Callie Beth.

Mr. Don Stewart is a 1978 BCS graduate. Don was a standout athlete who played football, basketball and baseball all four years of his high school career. Don was selected to the “All County,” “All Metro,” and “All District” teams for football. His senior year, the football team was undefeated in 14AAA district play and went to the first round of the state playoffs. Don was named to “Who’s Who” for three consecutive years. He was an active member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes all four years of high school as well as a member of the Key Club. He was named Teenager of the Week and Mr. Briarcrest for his senior class.Upon graduation, Don attended Memphis State University where he received a BBA degree. For the past 21 years, Don has been self employed with a State Farm insurance agency. Don and his wife, Elizabeth, have two children, Jeremy and Anna. They attend worship services at Grace Evangelical Church.

Mr. Mike Moffitt graduated from BCS in 1977 where he excelled in football. During his senior year, he was named fourth team All American lineman by Joe Namath magazine. He was selected to the Tennessee State All Star game; named second team All State and first team All Metro/County. He was recruited by numerous SEC schools such as Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Vanderbilt as well as Missouri, Baylor, Arizona State, University of Memphis, Arkansas State and Middle Tennessee State. He signed to play for Mississippi State over Tennessee in 1977. He was the first BCS athlete to sign with a major college scholarship in any of three major sports of football, baseball and basketball. He played two seasons at Mississippi State and was a M-Club member (Letterman Club). His career ended due to a knee injury. Mike received a BBA degree from the University of Memphis in 1982. He has worked in the healthcare industry in sales and management for over 26 years. Mike and his wife, Lynn, have three children Kyle, Courtney and Morgan who is a 2007 BCS graduate. They are members of Germantown Baptist Church. Mike has coached GYAA youth baseball and football as well as Germantown Red Devil eighth grade football. Mike enjoys fishing, hunting, boating and golf. 

Mr. Claude Pearson was a varsity football coach, freshman and assistant varsity basketball coach, and assistant varsity and head JV baseball coach at Briarcrest from 1993 until 2006.

Previous to joining the BCS coaching staff, Claude volunteered coaching in the Bartlett recreational league for tee ball, girls’ softball, baseball and helped to start the 7^th and 8^th grade baseball program at BCS. Claude attended Treadwell High School where he was a three year letterman in four sports. He was an All-American in football, All-State in baseball and drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals. He attended Baylor University where he was a three year letterman in football and named Second Team All Southwestern Conference. He received his masters of administration and teaching degree from the University of Memphis. Claude retired in 1983 from the City of Memphis as the Chief Negotiator for Labor Contracts; Juvenile Court Chief Probation Officer; Director of General Services and Director of Sanitation. Afterwards, Claude had an equipment sales and service business for ten years. Claude head coached the freshman BCS football team from 1995 until 2004; coached the BCS varsity offensive line from 1993 until 1995 and coached the varsity defensive line from 1997 until 2006 which included two state championships in 2001 and 2004. He was the freshman head basketball coach from 1993 until 2000 with four regional championship tournament wins. He was an assistant basketball varsity coach from 2001 until 2003. Claude also coached seventeen years in the Briarcrest baseball program as a volunteer and full time coach. He was an assistant varsity and head JV baseball coach from 1993 until 2003. In 2007, Claude was inducted into the BCS Baseball Wall of Fame. Claude has been married for 36 years to his wife Carolyn and they attend Leawood East Baptist Church.  They have three children, Cheryl, Melissa (BCS 1992 graduate), and Timothy (BCS 1996 graduate).  They also have four grandchildren: Garret, Cory, Aaron and Eliza. Claude’s hobbies include golf, fishing, and woodworking.

Mr. Walt Holman was an assistant football and head basketball coach at BCS from 1974 until 1986. He began his career as the freshman and assistant varsity football coach and the freshman basketball coach when the school was a member of the Memphis Christian Athletic Association. The freshman football team had an 8-0 record and was MCAA champions and the freshman basketball team had a 19-1 record and was also the MCAA champions. Walt was an  assistant football coach from 1974 until 1983 when the team had 51 wins and 40 losses and was the first BCS team to go to the state playoffs as the district champions. From 1979-1986, as the head varsity basketball coach, Walt led his team to 140 wins and 68 losses. In 1983, the team was region 7AAA champions, district 14AAA team champions, substate champions and AAA state runner up. Walt received the region 7AAA Coach of the Year and district 14AAA Coach of the Year awards and Tennessee East-West All Star Game coach. From 1992 to 1997, Walt coached at Brentwood Academy as the head basketball coach with 85 wins and 52 losses. He was also the Brentwood Academy middle school football coach with 28 wins and three losses. Walt was named Coach of the Year in 1995 for Williamson county. From 1998 to present, Walt has coached and taught at Battle Ground Academy in Franklin, Tennessee, where he has received the Golden Apple Award for excellence in teaching and the Second Mile Award for “going the extra mile” for students. Walt is a member of the Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association.  He is also a Vietnam War Veteran. He lives in Brentwood, Tennessee with his wife, Jane, who previously taught at BCS elementary and middle schools for five years. They currently attend Brentwood Baptist Church. Their daughter, Amy, a 1990 BCS graduate, is married to Ed Monroe and they have three daughters: Mary Liles, Edie and Anna. Walt’s hobbies include fishing and his three precious granddaughters. 

Pictured above (L-R): Greg Almond, Joyce Rogers, Stephen Rogers, Kelly Rogers, Skip Redmond, Caroline Pierce, Curt Pierce, Martha Walker, Carol Hughey, Ben Yancey, Ronnie Pearson, Barry Hay, Kim Mashburn. Not pictured: Keith Kessinger and Felix Jones.

For the third year, the Briarcrest Christian School Administration and Alumni Association recognized eleven distinguished alumni and faculty with the 2007 homecoming awards prior to the homecoming football game.

The Paul Piper Distinguished Alumni Award is given to graduates of Briarcrest who have shown outstanding achievement in their professional careers and/or have been recognized for their influential leadership and support of educational, civic, religious or charitable causes.

David Rogers – David Rogers is a BCS graduate of 1978. He attended Baylor University where he received a B.A. in Business Administration and Radio-TV-Film. He studied at Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis and graduated in 1989 from Southwestern Theological Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas with a Masters of Divinity. As a young boy, David was called into the mission field through youth camps and served short term mission trips in Arizona, Europe, and two years on board a missionary ship in Europe and West Africa. David has spent 17 years as a career foreign missionary in Spain. He served four years as a missionary-pastor, four years as a founding church planter and team leader. He served two years as a council member in charge of ministry to pastors and ministers on an evangelical council in Spain. His current position is Team Leader with Latin American Mobilization Team in Madrid, Spain with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and Director of Evangelism & Missions with the Madrid Baptist Association. David’s home church in the USA is Bellevue Baptist Church. David and his wife, Kelly, are currently on furlough in Memphis with their two children, Jonathan and Stephen.

Greg Almond – Greg Almond is a 1978 Briarcrest graduate. He attended Baylor University and graduated from the University of Tennessee in Veterinary curriculum where he was a member of honor societies at both schools.  Greg worked as a Veterinarian since 1984 in the Memphis area including his own veterinarian practice.  In 2003, Greg entered the Diagnostic Radiology Residency and Masters program at Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine.  He is in the Biomedical Sciences masters program currently working on his thesis. Greg is a visiting Instructor of Radiology and working on his Radiation Oncology Residency.  He has had several articles published regarding animal oncology, CT techniques, canine kidney donors and canine lymphoma. Greg is a member of numerous professional organizations. He has been a past president and board member of the Board of Directors at the Animal Emergency Center in Memphis.  Greg just recently passed the final section of his radiology boards. Greg and his wife, Tina, currently live in Auburn, Georgia with their children Seth and Sarah. Their future plans include a move back to the Memphis area in the next year once Greg completes his thesis.

The Danny Childs Distinguished Faculty Society recognizes current and former faculty members for their exemplary career in the pursuit of academic excellence and the development of young Christian men and women. 

Carol Hughey – Carol Hughey has spent most of her professional years as an educator at Briarcrest. She began as a first grade teacher in 1980 then as a P.E. teacher, Elementary Coordinator of Athletics, Auction Coordinator then Elementary Administrator. Carol has been on the BCS Administrative Team for 20 years. Carol is the current Principal at our Leawood Elementary campus. Carol attended the University of Memphis where she received her Bachelors of Elementary Education and her Masters in Administration and Supervision. She is a member of numerous professional organizations as well as a fitness instructor at local health clubs.  Carol is a current member of Bellevue Baptist Church where she is a Worship Leader for Children’s Worship.  Carol’s daughter, Mallory, is a current Briarcrest 8^th grade student. Carol’s life verse is Lamentations 3 “It is because of the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, His compassion fails not, it is new every morning, great is his faithfulness.”  

 

 

Martha Walker – Martha Walker began her career at Briarcrest in 1985 in the middle school after her youngest child started elementary school.  She has served in many roles such as Teacher Council Representative, President’s Advisory Board representative, middle school newspaper sponsor, Builder’s Club Advisor as well as many others.  Martha attended the University of Memphis where she earned a Bachelors of Science degree. She has also received the Clair E. Cox award for Teacher Excellence two times, the WRVR and Piggly Wiggly Favorite Teacher award and Who’s Who of American Teachers and Educators four times. She is a member of numerous professional organizations.  Martha is a member of Bellevue Baptist Church and has been married 35 years to her husband Stan.  They have two sons, Andy and Scott, who both attended Briarcrest for 12 years.  Martha’s life verse is Isaiah 49:15-16 “I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” 

 

 Jerry Pierce – Jerry Pierce has been employed for 34 years at Briarcrest.  He began as a teacher for Drafting, Architectural & Engineering Drawing and Art I for 14 years then became the Athletic Director for another 14 years. In 1988 he was the Assistant High School Principal. Jerry is currently the Saints Sportsplex Director.  Jerry was the first head varsity boys basketball coach in 1974 followed by assistant football coach, head cross country coach, assistant boys track coach, middle school 8^th grade girls basketball and freshman boys basketball. Jerry has been married 41 years to his wife, Nelda. Their two sons, Curt and Cary, are both 12 year students of BCS.  

  

The Briarcrest Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the various coaches, administrators, athletes, and friends who have contributed to the overall outstanding nature of the BCS athletic program.  The following individuals were nominated by the alumni and voted upon by the Alumni Advisory board.

 

 Kimberly Mashburn – Kimberly Mashburn is a 1997 BCS graduate. She was a standout player in volleyball, basketball and track. She played four years of varsity volleyball as a setter. She was named volleyball player of the year and all-star team her senior year by Tennessee Athletic Coaches Association. She was the regional and district MVP and won the Best of Prep volleyball player of the year her senior year. In basketball, Kimberly was listed among the top twenty basketball players in Shelby County. She was also a member of the varsity track team for discus and shot put where she was named twice to all district, all regional and all metro team. She set county and school records in both shot put and disc. She went on to play four years of collegiate volleyball-two years at Carson Newman college and two years at Union University. She holds the individual record for service aces at Union University and lead the Southern Athletic Conference in aces at Carson Newman college. Today Kimberly currently lives in Memphis working as the Marketing and Communication Coordinator for American Esoteric Laboratories.

 

Keith Kessinger – Keith Kessinger is a 1985 BCS graduate who played baseball and basketball. After his shining career at Briarcrest, Keith attended Ole Miss where he was a letter winner in both sports.  His college career placed him in the top ten record books at Ole Miss in hits, runs and doubles in a season for baseball as well as in three-point field goal percentages in basketball. Keith was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles then also played for the Cinncinnati Reds and the Chicago Cubs organizations.  He was an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator for baseball at Ole Miss where he helped to guide the Rebels to three 30 win seasons in a row.  Keith later became the Baseball Head Coach at Carson-Newman college where he was named South Atlantic Conference Coach of the year in 2002.  Currently Keith is the head baseball coach at Arkansas State University where his team has set 13 team and individual records in batting, home runs and hits. Keith lives with his wife, Laura, and children Anna Kathryn and Chase in Jonesboro, Arkansas. 

  

Barry Hay – Barry Hay is a 1978 graduate from Briarcrest where he played football and basketball all four years in high school, ran track in 9^th and 12^th  grades and played baseball in 10^th and 11^th grades.Barry’s overall athleticism led him to be one of eleven Shelby County high school athletes to receive the Scholar/Athlete award his senior year in 1978.  Barry was also one of five finalists for Male Athlete of the Year for the Best of Preps award in 1978.  Barry set records in track for individual and relay teams as well as in football for touchdowns, carries and yards gained. After high school, Barry walked on to play football at Mississippi State for two years.  Following that, he graduated from Memphis State University in mechanical engineering and currently is a sales engineer with Cardinal Machinery in Memphis.Barry and his wife, April, live in Germantown, Tennessee with their son, Brooks.

 

Felix Jones -  Felix Jones is a 1996 Briarcrest graduate who excelled in basketball, football and

track during his high school years. Felix set many school records in basketball during his high school career.

He was nominated for the McDonalds All American Basketball team his senior year. After Briarcrest, he played basketball at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas then later at Christian Brothers University. 

 

Ronnie Pearson – Ronnie Pearson is a 1979 graduate of Briarcrest who excelled  in track and cross country.

He lettered all four years in track and competed in the state meet five times.  He won numerous regional and district contests. He held track records and meet records throughout the Mid-South area. He was a best of preps finalist four times. Ronnie was undefeated his senior year in cross country- finishing 2^nd in the state finals. He currently holds the mile, 2 mile and cross country records at Briarcrest since 1977. Ronnie continued his career at the University of Mississippi where he set the meet record in cross country and competed in the SEC championships in cross country, indoor track and outdoor track six times.  Ronnie currently lives in Collierville, TN with his wife, Christie, and three children: Nicholas, Savannah and Lacie. Ronnie works for 3M as a Market Development Manager.  

 

Bob Yancey – Bob Yancey was the first high school staff member hired in April 1974.  He was the first varsity football coach and athletic director at Briarcrest.  Bob served for nine football seasons at BCS from 1974 until 1982.  His record of 51 wins and 40 losses was while playing under the TSSAA’s largest football school division.  The 1977 football team was the first BCS team to go to the state playoffs as the district champions. Under Bob’s direction, Briarcrest played in 3 different post season games. The 1975 team was the first BCS team to defeat Germantown High School and the 1978 team was the first BCS team to defeat MUS. Bob left in 1983 to assume head coaching at Central High School in Columbia, TN where his teams played in four post season games. After serving as principal at Whitthorne Middle School in Columbia, Bob is currently the head football coach at Zion Christian Academy. Among many of the honors and awards that Bob has received throughout his career, he was named twice as the TSSAA All Star Football Team Coach and received the Coach of the Year award four times. Bob was also instrumental in organizing the Memphis area Fellowship of Christian Athletes in 1979.  Bob has been married 44 years to his wife Janet. They have three grown sons, Rob, Jay and Ben who all played football for Bob at Columbia Central.   

 

 

 

 

 

2006 Homecoming Awards





Front row (L-R): Ginger Whitehead, Kathleen Carter, Meredith Wright, Kathy Elder, Len Hamner, Roma Henderson, Leisha Prather Pickering

Second row(L-R): Sally Peters, Tim Dulin, Skip Redmond, Jeff Fite, Jason McCommon, Erica Wyatt, Paula Wyatt, Sharon Watson, Joe Clayton, Dr. David McKinley, Bill McGee

Before the start of the 2006 Football Homecoming Game, the Briarcrest Alumni Association, Alumni Advisory Board, and the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee gave fourteen awards to alumni as well as former and current BCS faculty members.

Paul Piper Distinguished Alumni Award.This award is given to graduates of Briarcrest who have shown outstanding achievement in their professional careers and/or have been recognized for their influential leadership and support of educational, civic, religious, or charitable causes.

Dr. David McKinley - Dr. David McKinley is a 1976 graduate of Briarcrest. Since leaving the school, Dr. McKinley has gone on to receive his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Memphis, his Master of Divinity from Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Doctor of Ministry from Talbot School of Theology. He has served in the Ministry at several different churches all throughout the South. Currently, Dr. McKinley is serving as the Teaching Pastor at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, TX. In addition to his ministry, Dr. McKinley serves as a Trustee for Palm Beach Atlantic University and on the Board of Mission One. Recently, Dr. McKinley became a published writer with his book The Search for Satisfaction. Dr. McKinley, his wife Connie, have two children, Joseph and Mary Elizabeth.

Leisha Prather Pickering - Mrs. Leisha Prather Pickering is a 1977 Briarcrest graduate. Mrs. Pickering received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communicative Disorders from the University of Mississippi where she was also a cheerleader. Upon graduating from The University of Mississippi, Mrs. Pickering served in missions work in China, the Philippines, and the Dominican Republic. Leisha's husband, Chip, serves as the Third District Congressman from Mississippi. She currently owns her own event planning business where she has coordinated events for Presidential Inaugurations and planned the 9-11 Widows' Baby Shower in New York. When Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast last September, Leisha organized a non-profit organization called HANDS: Helping Americans Needing Disaster Support in which they supplied and coordinated relief for thousands of Mississippians. Her efforts during this disaster were featured on national news programs, including Focus on the Family, where she was praised for the effectiveness and compassion during the disaster. Leisha, husband Chip, and their 5 sons are residing in rural Madison County, MS.

Danny Childs Distinguished Faculty Society. This society was formed to recognize current and former faculty members for their exemplary career in the pursuit of academic excellence and the development of young Christian men and women. The following individuals were overwhelmingly nominated by the alumni to be inducted in 2006.

Kathy Elder - Ms. Kathy Elder is in her 29th year at Briarcrest, teaching as one of the high school's Bible teachers. She has faithfully shared the Word of God and taught multitudes of young men and women how to live as Christians. In addition to teaching, Mrs. Elder has coached the Freshmen Girl's Basketball team and Varsity Softball, served as the Bible Department Coordinator, as well as coordinating weekly chapel programs.

Len Hamner - Ms. Len Hamner has been a teacher at Briarcrest since 1973. During her tenure at Briarcrest, she has taught 11 different subjects at the high school. She has also sponsored 6 different clubs and organizations. Ms. Hamner has also taken groups of students to study in Washington, D.C. and all over Europe. Ms. Hamner holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Tennessee at Martin and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Memphis.

Roma Henderson – Mrs. Roma Henderson is in her 32^nd year at Briarcrest. During those 32 years she has taught English on the 9^th, 10^th, 11^th, and 12^th grade levels. She is currently the senior English teacher. In addition to teaching, she has served the school as a sponsor of the Student Council, Honor Council, Honor Society. Mrs. Henderson has also been the Chair of the English Department. She has also had 3 children who have graduated from Briarcrest.  

 

Sharon Watson – Sharon Watson has been on staff at Briarcrest sense 1976. From 1976-2002 Ms. Watson taught in the Science Department and was volleyball, track, and basketball coach. She is currently serving the school as the Middle School Principal. Last, the Alumni Association inducted her into the school’s Athletic Hall of Fame for her accomplishments as a coach. And this year they are recognizing her accomplishments as an educator.

 

The Briarcrest Athletic Hall of Fame was established to recognize the various coaches, administrators, athletes, and friends who have contributed to the overall outstanding nature of the BCS athletic program. 

 

Sally Peters – Sally Peters is a 1977 graduate of BCS. She was the first highly decorated female athlete in the school’s history. As member of the tennis team, she won the district title 3 years in a row, won the Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps Female Tennis Player of the Year award in 1976, and was ranked by the United States Tennis Association as the 8^th best player in the southern section and 4^th best player in the state. Sally received a scholarship from the University of Alabama as a singles and doubles player. Sally has entered the technology field where she designed and developed training for the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and NATO. She is currently living in Germantown where she has an IT consulting practice.

 

Tim Dulin – Tim Dulin is a 1981 graduate of BCS. He is the school’s first 4-year letterman in baseball. During his senior year at BCS, Tim was named All-State. He received a baseball scholarship to the University of Memphis where he became a 2 time all-American. Tim was then selected in the Major League Baseball draft and went on to play 6 years of professional baseball with the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Tim, his wife Barbara, and their two children, Kristen and Dalton, are all living in Eads, TN. Tim is the owner and operator of Gameday Sports Academy in Cordova.

 

Cindy Whitehead – Cindy Whitehead is a 1985 graduate of BCS where she was a standout athlete in basketball, soccer, and track. In basketball, she was named all district, all metro, and all state honorable mention along with being ranked in the top of several statistical categories in the city. Cindy also was named the MVP in soccer. In track, Cindy broke 9 school and region records in various events. Cindy went on to play Division 1 college basketball, Division 1 track, and Division 2 softball. She has even competed against American Gladiators. Currently, Cindy is living in Byhalia, MS, and is working for Baptist Hospital as a Physical Therapist.  

 

Jeff Fite – Jeff Fite is a 1987 graduate of BCS and lettered in football, basketball, and baseball. In basketball, he was named team MVP and District Tournament MVP during his senior year. In football, Jeff set many records that remain today. He was named Bigger, Faster, Stronger 1^st team All-American, received the Walter Camp Trophy as the best offensive player in the city, and was named the Commercial Appeal’s Best of the Preps Athlete of the Year in 1987. Jeff attended the University of Memphis on a football scholarship where he was named an All-American as a punter. The National Scholastic Football Hall of Fame honored him for his achievements as a student athlete. In 1991, Jeff was drafted by the Green Bay Packers as a punter. Jeff, his wife Jan, and their son Jack are currently living in Oakland, TN. Jeff is now a middle school teacher at Schilling Farms Middle School in Collierville, TN. 

 

Jason McCommon – Jason McCommon graduated from BCS in 1990. As a 3-year letter winter in 3 different sports, Jason holds the career-passing leader with 3,783 yards in football and was named Touchdown Club Player of the year. In basketball, Jason was named all-district and all-metro honorable mention. In baseball, Jason finished in the top 5 in assists, batting average, R.B.I’s, homeruns, and in strikeouts as a pitcher. In 1990, Jason was named the Commercial Appeal Best of the Preps Male Athlete of the Year. Jason received a scholarship from the University of Memphis as a pitcher where he was named all-conference in 1993 and 1994. He finished in the top ten in strikeouts at the U of M. Jason was drafted in the 10^th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft and played 6 years of professional baseball. Jason, his wife Cara, and their two sons K.C. and Jackson are all currently living in Memphis. 

 

Joe Clayton – From 1974 until 1996, there was one person that you could always find standing on the sidelines or sitting in the stands at almost every Briarcrest athletic event. Mr. Joe Clayton served Briarcrest for 22 years as high school Principal and later System President. Mr. Clayton bleeds green and gold. Even today, Mr. Clayton attends many BCS sporting events. His leadership during the late 80’s serves as a benchmark of how all coaches should lead there respective teams during times of adversity. And it was through his leadership that Briarcrest was able to become one of the finest athletic programs in the state. The BCS Administration and Athletic Department recognized Mr. Clayton in 2000 by naming the football field in his honor. Mr. Clayton and his wife Nell are currently living in Collierville, TN. 

 

Al Wright – From 1988 to 1992, Briarcrest was blessed to have Al Wright as a coach and teacher. Coach Wright was one of the more beloved faculty members on staff. He was the freshmen boys basketball coach, assistant varsity baseball coach, and an assistant varsity football coach. In the classroom, Coach Wright taught various levels of mathematics from Algebra to Geometry. No matter if he was in the classroom or on the athletic field, Coach Wright could always be found teaching and mentoring the students of Briarcrest. In May of 1994, Coach Wright died suddenly of a heart related disease. The fact that the Alumni have nominated Coach Wright for this award only after teaching and coaching at BCS for 4 years show the impact that he had on this school. Therefore, the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee would like to remember Coach Al Wright by inducting him into the Briarcrest Christian School Athletic Hall of Fame. 

 

Bill Wyatt – Bill Wyatt was a BCS parent and former President of the Saints Booster Club. From the moment his daughter Erica became as student at Briarcrest, Bill immersed himself as a volunteer at the school. If there was a job that needed to be done and nobody wanted to do it, Bill was the first to sign up for it. Whether it was repairing torn down fences at Towering Oaks or driving 6 hours out of his way to make sure that the football team had what it needed before a state championship game, Bill was there for the school and the athletic program. Bill’s hard work and dedication did not stop once his daughter graduated. During the three years that BCS held the Spring Fling, Bill was there every day and doing whatever it took to make sure the Briarcrest was the best. In February of 2004, Bill died suddenly of a heart attack. It is because of Bill’s hard work, sweet spirit, and his love Briarcrest Athletics that the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee would like to remember Bill by inducting him into the Briarcrest Christian School Athletic Hall of Fame.