The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
Baseball set to retire Scott Bryant's No. 25 on Saturday
05.07.2009 | Baseball
May 7, 2009
Georgia Latcham, Texas Media Relations
AUSTIN, Texas -- Although he probably won't stop by Whataburger and grab a cheesburger beforehand, Scott Bryant will be stepping onto UFCU Disch-Falk Field one more time to have his No. 25 jersey retired.
"I tended to be too superstitious. Before every game I went to an old Whataburger on the Drag and got a cheeseburger, and then with the players, I got a Dr Pepper and a BLT. I always ate the same thing," Bryant reminisced about his days as a Texas Baseball player.
Bryant doesn't need a good-luck ritual this time. His history at UT is set in stone with the retirement of No. 25. Bryant's ceremony is the last of four this season to honor former Longhorn baseball players, including Brooks Kieschnick, Greg Swindell and Burt Hooton.
"I was blown away," Bryant said. "It's an amazing honor to be included with those people whose jerseys have been chosen to be retired. I really have a hard time putting it into words because when I go (to UFCU Disch-Falk Field) and look up at the people my name is next to, it doesn't seem real."
During his tenure at UT from 1987-89, Bryant racked up quite a few records. He still holds the most doubles for a season (32), the most total bases for a season (199), the most runs batted in for a season (112) and the most doubles in a game (four).
Bryant, however, is surprised his records still stand.
"To think about the talent that comes through the University of Texas and has been there the last 20 years and that my records are still standing, is very surprising to me," Bryant said. "And who knows how much longer they'll be there, but it's nice to know that they are still there at this time."
When Bryant set those records during the 1989 season, he was also awarded the Dick Howser Trophy. However, the only thing that stands out in Bryant's mind from 1989 is the loss in the College World Series.
"We had worked so hard to get there. To come up one game short was very disappointing, and is still one of the things that bugs me to this day," Bryant said. "We had had a great season, it was a phenomenal team and a phenomenal group of guys, and we started with a goal that season and came up one game short."
Despite that one sour memory, Bryant enjoyed his experience with Texas Baseball, especially being coached by Cliff Gustafson.
"I really learned a lot playing under him and had a good time," Bryant said. "We won a lot of ball games during my three years there and that had to do with Coach Gus and how he handled the team. I have very fond memories of playing for him."
Bryant also picked up a few things from Gustafson that he will pass onto his six-year-old son.
"His big deal was play games during practice," Bryant said. "I think that we came across a lot of situations playing practice games that translated into a real game. You learned a lot more from that than just doing drills. That's one of the things I will teach my son -- practice like you're playing a game, so when those situations come up in the real game, you know what to do."
But, it's his teammates that Bryant attributes to his success on the field.
"I got put in good situations because of the team," Bryant said. "As far as driving in the runs that I did, it wouldn't have happened without the guys on the bases.
"I miss just being at Texas. The whole atmosphere of playing sports at the University of Texas is better than anywhere else in the country -- the fans, the facilities, the support from the town and the school was great. Going to Omaha and playing in the College World Series twice was an amazing experience. But, being in Austin at The University, the support and the people that you meet and get to be around is the best part of playing here."
