Captured in a Flash: the Epitome of Bulldog Tenacity (Audio Report)

 

Marching 101 band member and drum major Trent Bryant had 15 minutes of fame that lasted three months or so. 

(Click here to listen to this story with Bryant's comments)

Bryant's image was selected last fall to be on SC State's homepage. Decked out in his colorful Marching 101 uniform...he is the first thing people see when going to S-C-S-U-dot-e-d-u. 

Bryant says he was back home in Georgetown, S.C. in December when friends began alerting him that he was on the school's front page...

SOT: Trent Bryant :29
In: When I first saw it...
Out: ...face of the school right now

The director of S.C. State University Relations...Sam Watson...took the photograph when the Marching 101 performed at halftime of the home game versus Fort Valley State on October 19. (YouTube has the show here!)

When Watson looked at the images he captured that day he saw something special in one of them. 

In an email... Watson said quote...it truly sets the tone for the site. From a technical standpoint, the composition follows the rule of thirds, and the viewer’s eyes move from right to left based on Trent’s eyes and hands. Also, the colors are vibrant, his expression is determined, and the content reflects an important aspect of HBCU culture.

Speaking to my feature writing class in early February, Bryant was asked what he thinks was on his mind the moment in time when Sam Watson's camera clicked.

SOT: Trent Bryant  :15
In: I don't know...
Out: ...definitely locked in

Bryant is a senior engineering major. He has been a Marching 101 member since he was a freshman. He says this unique honor of being featured on the school website is a highlight for him along with performing twice in Celebration Bowls when the S-C State's football team competed in Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

Surprisingly, Bryant says he was not a member of his high school marching band. Instead he was part of a community drum line back home in Georgetown. 

But when in 2017 he saw in person a college marching band competition...his made was made up...

SOT Trent Bryant :27
In: I saw the...
Out: ...and Shaw University

Bryant hopes to graduate next May and with his engineering degree he wants to work at one of South Carolina's big manufacturing companies such as Volvo, BMW or Mercedes. 

Sam Watson with University Relations says he will find another use for Bryant's striking band image when it is eventually replaced from the home page. 

So Bryant's Bulldog Tenacity will live on on the school's website...and we hope...in his life forever. 

This is Patrick Harwood reporting.