Bryan News

The Bryan College Athletics Department is proud to announce the hiring of Christian Papp as the new Head Women's Basketball Coach. Coach Papp has several years of experience as an assistant women's coach at various intercollegiate levels. He will use this experience to try and propel the Lady Lions towards a conference championship.

Coach Papp comes to Bryan from Pfeiffer University, an NCAA Division II school located in Misenheimer, NC, where he was the women's assistant. He has coached in the state of Tennessee (Women's Assistant - Lincoln Memorial University), giving him in-state recruiting connections for women's basketball. Coach Papp knows the NAIA level, as he was an assistant at Indiana University-South Bend. In his first two years as a college women's assistant, Coach Papp was at Valparaiso University, an NCAA Division I school located in Valparaiso, IN. Coach Papp also has experience as a head coach of women's basketball at the high school level in Indiana.

Coach Papp stated, "I can't express how blessed I feel to join the Bryan College family. From my initial meeting with the players, I felt an excitement about the opportunity for ministry that exists with this team in this setting. A coach is ultimately a teacher and a mentor. To join the staff at a place where the mission of the college is so aligned with my own identity and values is a dream come true. The players have a hunger for a deeper relationship with Christ and this school provides an environment where that desire will be met. In an economic period where many private schools are struggling, I was absolutely amazed to hear that applications to attend Bryan had doubled in the past year. To me, that said that young people are leaving here feeling they've received something more than just an academic degree. I believe that something extra revolves around relationships: relationships with special friends, relationships with professors and coaches who exhibit a desire to serve the students, and most importantly a relationship with Jesus Christ."

Regarding his coaching opportunity, Coach Papp commented, "I am impressed with the talent on this team. My goal year-in and year-out will be to contend for the conference championship while striving to be ranked in the top 25 academically. I want this to be the best four years of life they've had thus far."

"When I came to visit Dayton, it felt like ‘home.' I'm looking forward building lifelong friendships as I get to serve the team and the community," Papp said, in conclusion.

Bryan College Athletics Director Dr. Sandy Zensen said, "We are excited about Coach Papp taking the helm of the Lady Lions Basketball Program. He brings a wealth of coaching experience, a high level of energy, and a genuine heart for ministry. We are looking forward to his arrival on campus and to the years ahead, as he leads the team in the battle for another AAC title."

Coach Papp is currently working on his Master of Science Degree in Sports Administration from Valparaiso University, and will graduate with that degree this summer. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History with a minor in Secondary Education from Valparaiso University. Coach Papp has also received his Personal Trainer Certification from the American Council on Exercise.