Fayetteville, NC - Fayetteville State University has proudly announced the hiring of James Bryant in the department of athletics as the Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Development. Bryant will serve in a leadership role and be responsible for marketing, promotions, and development as a direct report to the Director of Athletics in conjunction with University Institutional Advancement.

"I am confident that James (Bryant) will be a valuable asset to our department, especially in the areas of development and promotion," said Director of Athletics Dr. Edward McLean. "James is a Bronco alumnus and the Fayetteville State brand has a special quality; his expertise and passion for the university will serve us well in our development and fund-raising efforts."

Bryant brings a wealth of experience in the areas of marketing, campaign development, event planning, and activation tactics. For the past ten years, his efforts have been in partnership management, event and venue promotional development, grassroots community programs and facilitating the implementation of innovative campaign activations with organizations such as ESPN, Food Lion, and Urban Sports with the CIAA Basketball Tournament, the Orange Bowl Committee and BCS National Championship.

Bryant comes to FSU Athletics from Delhaize America (Food Lion), where he succeeded as a regional retail marketing coordinator. During his stint at Food Lion, Bryant worked on several platforms in multiple markets to research the steady growth of consumers and fans engagement while growing impactful community programs.

For over a span of ten years, Bryant played integral roles as an Operations and Events Manager for Webber Marketing and Consulting, LLC and Urban Sports and Entertainment Group, LLC. Bryant organized, managed and executed several major televised and sporting events such as: The Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament (CIAA), the CIAA Fan Experience, a two year HBCU College Football Classic Tour with the U.S. Army, the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase and Celebration Tour which consists of 43 Historical Black College and University marching bands, the HBO American Black Film Festival.

"It is an honor to return to my alma mater and use my skills to help grow and enhance the Fayetteville State University brand," said Bryant. "I am anxious to contribute to the team, while creating new and more captivating branding opportunities within my role. My focus will be to grow and provide the University with great business-to-business platforms to enhance the lives of our student-athletes and the overall student body."

Bryant has worked with the Orange Bowl Committee for the BCS National Championship and BCS Orange Bowl games for three year as their Events Manager. While at ESPN Mr. Bryant worked in the Events department focused on organizing and managing the many sporting event the ESPN brand represents. He has also directly managed campaigns for Best Buy, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Verizon, Southwest Airlines, Russell Athletics, Ford, McDonald's, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy and the Marines.

Bryant obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Fayetteville State University in 2006. He is scheduled to complete his MBA in Management from Strayer University in December 2014. He is a native Charlotte, NC. Bryant is an alumnus and former student-athlete as a three year member of the Broncos football team and vice chairman of the FSU Business Management Club.

Bryant has one daughter, Aaaliyah.