Lynn Trent Enjoying 50th Year as Mocs Press Box Announcer
Chattanooga-(WDEF) You’d be hard impressed to find someone who has seen more sports stars in Chattanooga than Lynn Trent. This year, he began his 50th year as the press box announcer at UTC football games, and he also doubles as the clock operator at UTC basketball games.
When you work a job for fifty years, you’ll see plenty of changes. Lynn Trent’s job as the Mocs press box announcer used to be hands free in the cozy confines of Chamberlain Field.
Said Trent-"We really didn’t start announcing with a microphone until we got to Finley (Stadium). That’s because the Chamberlain Field press box was so small."
Nothing small about the talents of a young quarterback Trent saw visit Chamberlain Field in 1969. Lousiana Tech’s Terry Bradshaw.
"Throws a 20-yard pass to a receiver that I still haven’t seen the ball. It was thrown so fast. The other thing was that in the first quarter, the lights went out. It was 7-7. We should have stopped the game then."
The Mocs lost 23-7. 25 years later, Trent saw Steve McNair play against UTC when McNair racked up over 600-yards of total offense for Alcorn State.
"Probably wasn’t as good a passer as Terry Bradshaw, but his mobility got him a lot of yards too."
As the clock operator for the Mocs basketball team, Trent has seen plenty of star players from Michael Jordan to a skinny kid from Davidson.
"He is one opposing player that I can say I enjoyed watching."
While Trent doesn’t meet the players sitting court side at McKenzie Arena, he does meet the refs.
Said Trent-"First thing I look for watching college basketball is to see who the officials are. Have I worked with them before."
Trent says it’s an honor to be apart of UTC athletics for so many years.
"I feel blessed. Use of God given gifts and talents being able to deal with details and numbers."
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