Granville, Ohio- Denison University's Varsity D Association has announced its 2025 Hall of Fame inductees. This year's ten honorees will be inducted on Oct. 3 during Denison's annual Big Red Weekend.

The 2025 class includes Dudley Brown Jr. '74, basketball; Peter H. Burling, former head coach of the men's tennis (1991-2020) and women's tennis (1992-93, 2000-17) programs; Tiffany Davis-Hale '14, track and field; Rachel Thomas Garling '07, softball; Bryce T. Peterson '07, swimming; Brian Regan '04, baseball; Brittany Benson Romano '13, field hockey; Dr. Peter L. Shorten '10, men's soccer; Alyssa L. Swanson '13; swimming; and Dennis T. Fryzel '64, football and track & field. 

The Denison community will celebrate the Hall of Fame inductees on campus in October during Big Red Weekend. Those interested in celebrating their teammates, coaches, and friends are invited to register for the 2025 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner on Friday, Oct. 3, 2025. The dinner and program will take place inside the Mitchell Athletic and Recreation Center at 6:30 p.m.
 

Dudley Brown Jr. '74, basketball

Dudley Brown Jr. '74 was a four-year starter for the Denison men's basketball program. He was named team MVP back-to-back seasons (1971-72, 1972-73) and is the program's 10th all-time leading scorer (1,329 points) in an era before the three-point shot. 

 

Peter H. Burling, former head coach of the men's tennis (1991-2020) and women's tennis (1992-93, 2000-17) programs

Peter H. Burling coached the Denison men's tennis program from 1991-2020, and coached the women's tennis program from 1992-93, and again from 2000-17. As the Big Red's women's head coach, he earned the ITA National Coach of the Year award back-to-back years (2004 and 20025), and was named the USPTA National Coach of the Year. Throughout his tenure, he led the women's program to 12 NCAA tournament appearances and guided the men's program to eight.

 

Tiffany Davis Hale '14, track and field

Tiffany Davis-Hales '14 was a four-year varsity letter winner as a sprinter on the women's track and field team. During her senior season, she became a two-time All-American after placing third in the 200m dash at the NCAA Indoor Championships and eighth place at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. Davis is a six-time NCAC Sprints/Hurdlers Athlete of the Year (indoor and outdoor), and a 13-time conference champion (indoor and outdoor). She holds the Mitchell Fieldhouse 200m dash record with a time of 25.14 and Denison's 200m dash indoor track and field record with a time of 24.61. 

 

Rachel Thomas Garling '07, softball

Rachel Thomas Garling was a three-year varsity letter winner as a softball pitcher on the Denison Big Red team. Throughout her time with the Big Red, she was named an All-NCAC honoree three times, and in her senior season earned (2007) NCAC Pitcher of the Year. That same year, she would also earn a spot on the Division III NFCA Central Region Second Team.  At the time of her induction, she was second in program history in fewest earned runs (72), hits allowed (225), and opponents' batting average (.202). 

 

Bryce T. Peterson '07, swimming

Bryce Peterson was a four-year varsity letter winner with the men's swimming and diving program at Denison. As a Big Red, Peterson is a three-time NCAA champion in the 800 free relay (2006, 2007) and 400 free relay (2007). He is a 26-time All-American and is tied for second in program history and just two shy of the maximum 28 for a four-year career. Peterson also notched six North Coast Athletic Conference Championship performances while swimming for Denison.

 

Brian Regan '04, baseball

Brian Regan was a four-year varsity letter winner with the baseball team at Denison. While at Denison, he was a two-time ABCA All-Region first team honoree and a three-time All-North Coast Athletic Conference first team honoree. At the time of his induction, his .371 career batting average is the sixth best all-time at Denison. He is also tied for second in career home runs with 21. 

 

Brittany Benson Romano '13, field hockey

Brittany Benson Romano, a four-year letter winner with the Denison field hockey team, was named North Coast Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2011, after leading the Big Red to an 18-2 record and a second-round NCAA Division III Tournament appearance. She graduated from Denison as the program's all-time leader in shutouts, saves, and save percentage, which helped land her on the NCAC 30th Anniversary All-Decade team.

 

Dr. Peter L. Shorten '10, men's soccer

Dr. Peter Shorten, a four-year starter and two-time varsity captain for the Denison men's soccer team, wrapped his career with 18 goals and 10 assists. His presence on the field was recognized by the North Coast Athletic Conference when he was named to the NCAC 30th Anniversary All-Decade team, after earning All-NCAC honors for three seasons. He also earned NCSAA All-Region first-team honors in 2009, and that same year, he was named a COSIDA Academic All-America® first-team selection.

 

Alyssa L. Swanson '13, swimming

Alyssa Swanson, a four-year letter winner of the Dension women's swimming and diving team, finished her Big Red career as a four-time NCAA champion in relays -200 free, 400 medley, and the 800 free (twice). She notched 23 All-American finishes and was a member of the NCAA team that finished runner-up in 2010 and 2011.

 

Dennis T. Fryzel '64, football and track & field. 

Dennis Fryzel most notably played football at Denison from 1960 to 1963 under Varsity D Hall of Fame head coach Keith Piper. During Fryzel's junior and senior years, the Big Red tallied a 15-2-1 record. His time as a Big Red sparked an interest in coaching, which led to a 17-year football coaching career. Fryzel's coaching stints include the University of Tampa, Syracuse University, Air Force, Ohio State, the University of Alabama, and the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers during their inaugural season in 1976.