Getting to Know... Brittany Viola
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Brittany Viola
Miami
Year: Freshman
Swimming & DivingHometown: Orlando, Fla.
Major: Broadcasting
Favorite flavor ice cream: Ben & Jerry’s Half Baked
Coming from an athletic family, Brittany Viola is the first diver. Her father, Frank Viola was a major league pitcher for the Minnesota Twins (also the Mets, Red Sox, Reds and Blue Jays) and helped them win the World Series in 1987 while earning MVP honors. Brittany is his biggest fan.
Originally a gymnast, Viola was discovered and recruited to the diving board. In 2004 she tried out for the Olympics and came in second on the 10-meter platform. She currently holds Miami’s fourth best score in the 3-meter with 315.48.
How did you get started diving?
Well I did gymnastics for 10 years and I ended up quitting when I was 13. I was in P.E. one day and the swim coach saw me messing around on the diving board because we had free day. And I was doing doubles and things that I would do in gymnastics. He asked me if I wanted to be on the diving team. From there I got introduced to an Olympic coach because his daughter went to the same school as me. It just kind of took off from there. I was never a swimmer, it’s kind of amusing, I’m terrible at swimming.
What has been your greatest accomplishment so far as an athlete?
I would say the 2004 Olympic trials, placing second on the 10-meter platform. I was 17.
What do you still hope to accomplish in the future?
I would love to go to the Olympics, it’s been a dream I’ve had for a long time.
Who was your most influential role model?
My dad. He used to play Major League Baseball. He just has a really good outlook going into it. Just the mentality, to have fun and do it because you love it, not because other people want you to. It keeps me enjoying what I’m doing. He reminds me every time I go out there for a competition that this is for me and to just go along with it. As long as you try your best, this is all you can do.
What was the best advice you ever received from a coach?
Just relax, you can do it. I’ve done all the training and when you’re in the competitions, all you need to do is just let your body take over and do what it’s been trained to. Jay Lerew told me that. I didn’t really have a high school coach, but he was my very first coach, his daughter went to school with me.
What’s your most memorable moment in sports?
I had to write something for a class like this and I had thought about, in gymnastics, the 1996 Olympics, when the U.S. won and I don’t know why but that sparked something for me. That started my dream of wanting to go to the Olympics. I think I was about 9 at the time and I was still in gymnastics.
Coming in as a freshman with your talent, do you feel pressure to bring something to the team?
I feel like I bring something to the team. I laugh a lot; I’m usually always cheerful at practice. I like to bring everyone up at practice, try to keep the team going and just help them get through each practice. It ended up being a really good team. I don’t think I’m extra special, but everyone does their part.
Why did you choose Miami?
The team, the coach, Randy Ableman is awesome, personality/coaching-wise. The school is beautiful, it’s in Miami, and it’s warm! Pretty much everything just fit with what I was looking for.
