Keepin’ it Cool by the Pool; The Story of Jeff Fiore

Growing up in Peabody, Mass., Jeff Fiore knew from a young age that swimming was his passion. Fiore has been swimming since the age of nine and started at his local YMCA.

Unlike the rest of his family Fiore is the lone swimmer. He has two younger brothers, Jason who plays basketball and Josh who plays lacrosse. Fiore and his brothers loved going to Gloucester beach when they were young. This is where Jeff fell in love with the water.

When Fiore reached High school, he was still somewhat new to the sport. Fiore credits his high school swim coach Tony Padvaiskas for teaching him everything he knows about swimming. Under coach Padvaiskas, Fiore's swim team won three Massachusetts state titles.

Up in Peabody, Massachussetts, Fiore would always be elated for the summer months to arrive because that meant he was able to swim outdoors. This was a crucial part in Fiore's decision in choosing colleges. "I knew I wanted a warm weather school where I could swim outdoors year round. After a while, swimming indoors gets stuffy. I like the refreshing feeling of swimming outdoors." After his official visit at UT he knew this is where he wanted to be.

Fiore has swam here at UT all four years and is very hopeful for the upcoming season. "Out of the four years that I have been here this is the best squad we've had. I believe we can win conference and place in the top 10 at nationals."

While swimming has been Jeff Fiore's passion, he admits it takes a toll on his body. "Travel meets are the longest four days of your life. You swim in the morning trials and if you make the top 16 in the heat you swim again in the finals at night. Sometimes I will swim up to six times in a day. All we ever want to do after a meet is sleep."

Before big meets Fiore will stretch by himself and not talk to anyone else on the team. "I like to just listen to music and get in the zone. Swimming is a mental sport."

Growing up next to Boston, Fiore was always around sports. He loves watching his favorite teams the Celtics, Patriots, Bruins and Red Sox. He wants to be involved in sports after college as well most likely as a swim coach. He would love to stay in the Tampa Bay area and maybe even stay around the UT swim team.

Fiore is a communications major and also a journalism minor. "The only reason Journalism isn't my major is because it is not offered as a major here at UT. My dream job would be to write for World Swimming Magazine or Splash Magazine."

Fiore is a well-rounded student-athlete with exceptional talent and optimistic for a strong senior season.

Written by Alexa Della Rocco