Former Cane Viola Earns NCAA Today's Top VIII Award

Nov. 2, 2011

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami diver Brittany Viola has been recognized as a recipient of the NCAA Today’s Top VIII Award.

See the NCAA press release here.

Viola graduated from the University of Miami with a degree in broadcasting and several diving records in her name. In 2008 and 2011, she won the NCAA championship in diving’s 10-meter platform. She was named to the United States diving team for the 2009 and 2011 World Aquatics Championships held in Rome and Shanghai, respectively. The Orlando, Fla., native was named Captain of the U.S. Diving Team for the 2009 event.

Viola maintained her excellence out of the pool by being recognized on the Athletic Director’s Honor Roll, Dean’s List, Provost’s Honor Roll, and President’s Honor Roll. She was also the President of the University of Miami Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and chaired the ACC Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.

To win the award, the nominee must be a varsity letter-winner, must have a minimum of a 3.000 GPA, and the nominee must complete intercollegiate eligibility during the 2010-11 academic year to be eligible. The selection criteria is 50 percent based on athletics ability and achievement, 25 percent based on academic achievement, and 25 percent based on character, leadership and activities.

The award will be presented Friday, January 13, 2012, during the NCAA Honors Celebration.

The event will be held at the Indianapolis Marriott Downtown in Indianapolis, Ind., as a featured element of the 2012 NCAA Convention.