The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

Renaissance man

Whoever said a man must have either brains or brawn hasn’t met the Male Athlete of the Year, Bryan Brand.

Brand, a linebacker for the football team, is a success on and off the field.

As a player, Brand was the team’s defensive MVP, team captain, selected first team All Western State Conference, and nominated to the California Community College Football Coaches Association Academic all-state team.

Off the field, Brand is no slouch. He finished the fall semester with a grade point average of 3.02, leaving him an overall 3.2 GPA.

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Even with this success, Brand maintains a humble self-image.

“I owe it all to hard work, dedication, my teammates and my coaches,” Brand said. “They are a huge part of my success.”

Brand’s fellow linebacker and former roommate, Braeden Jehle, echoes this notion.

“He’s the nicest guy. He takes a lot of BS without giving it back,” Jehle said. “It’d be nice if he threw some back once in a while.”

Jehle detailed Brand’s game plan and dedication on the field.

“He was more focused than all the other players,” he said. “He knew what he wanted to do and he got it done.”

He will play Division IAA ball at Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y., where he will major in marketing on a full-ride scholarship for football.

Brand doubts he will play football after Wagner College.

“My goal was to get a free education,” Brand said. “That’s what I’m getting.”

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