Britt Frankum (Troy ‘92) grew up in Montgomery, Alabama, where his Southern roots and small-town upbringing shaped the values that would guide him for life. After graduating from high school, Britt made his way to Troy University. At the time, he only knew one familiar face on campus — a friend he had grown up with and attended church alongside. That friend was already a sophomore and a brother in the Alabama Epsilon chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
Britt didn’t plan to rush, but something clicked when he visited the SAE house to meet a few guys. Within two nights, he felt like he had known those men forever. As many have experienced, he accepted a bid and found a brotherhood that would impact every part of his life.
During his undergraduate years, Britt served as Eminent Deputy Archon and House Manager. He also had the opportunity to attend Leadership School, where he connected with brothers from other schools and expanded his network of True Gentlemen.
Britt graduated from Troy University (then Troy State University) with a degree in Rehabilitation Counseling. During college, he interned at Easter Seals Rehabilitation Center, a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities reenter the workforce. That experience led to his first job with Easter Seals and eventually to the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services, where he spent the next 30 years serving with purpose and compassion until his retirement.
Throughout his career, Britt earned a reputation as a thoughtful and inspiring leader. His colleague Rick Couch shared, “He has always been one of our most popular unit supervisors. People work extra hard for Britt because they know they are appreciated. He is such an interesting dude.”
In 2004, Britt married his wife Tonya, whom he met through work. Their shared passion for helping others would shape their family’s journey. After several years of trying to grow their family through IVF and medical procedures, they felt called to adopt, specifically children with special needs, given their deep familiarity with disabilities.
Their daughter Lilly joined their family in 2009, followed by their son Bayler in 2014 — both through international adoption and both with cleft lip and palate. “We were a little late to the game,” Britt says, “but I wouldn’t change a thing. It has been a fantastic journey.”
Britt’s passion for helping others didn’t stop there. Even before becoming a father, he recognized the need for Miracle League baseball in smaller communities. Though programs existed in large cities, Britt believed kids in smaller towns deserved the same opportunities. Thanks to a generous donation from Oxford, a proper Miracle League field was eventually built, named “A League of Our Own.” Though Britt had moved before the groundbreaking in 2015, he’s proud to have been part of the early effort that made it possible.
Sports have always been a big part of Britt’s life, especially baseball and football, but the spirit of brotherhood and service instilled in him through SAE continues to guide his every step. In a full-circle moment, Britt’s chapter at Troy recently regained its charter, and the son of the very brother who introduced Britt to SAE became a member of the first new pledge class.
To this day, Britt stays close with his brothers. Every year, a group of them gets together to go hunting. “They’re all doing incredible things,” Britt says with pride.
From brotherhood to service, family to community, Britt Frankum has lived and continues to live the life of a True Gentleman.
