2022 / AS A GRADUATE STUDENT
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Started all 50 games at third base, Purdue's only infielder to start every game at the same position
• Became the first Boilermaker since 2018 to start every game at third
• In Big Ten play, led the team with a .383 average, 7 doubles, 21 RBI and .495 on-base percentage
• Also produced a 1.075 OPS in Big Ten play
• Impressed defensively all season, committing just five errors while compiling a .961 fielding percentage (.979 in Big Ten play)
• Recognized as the team's Defensive Player of the Year
• Made a leaping catch on the tarp down the left field line at the Big Ten Tournament, a gem that earned the No. 1 spot on SportCenter's Top 10 plays that night
• Posted a team-best 10-game hit streak and also enjoyed a 23-game on-base streak
• Had five-RBI games vs. Michigan and Northwestern, joining CJ Valdez on a short list of six Boilermakers since 2001 with two five-RBI games in a season
• Homered twice in the series-opening win vs. Michigan, posting just the fourth multi-homer game by a Boilermaker at Alexander Field (since 2013)
• Delivered the walk-off hit in the 10th inning of the April 26 victory vs. Valparaiso
• One of four student-athletes from the spring sports to be recognized for a flawless 4.0 GPA, earning the elite mark in a master's program
BEFORE PURDUE
• Played for San Jose State in 2019 and 2020 before joining Purdue as a graduate transfer
• Played his sophomore season (2018) at Glendale Community College in the Los Angeles area
• Played his freshman season at Central Arizona College (2017) south of the Phoenix area
• First-team All-Mountain West Conference third baseman during the abbreviated 2020 campaign
• Iron Spartan honoree as SJSU Athletics’ hardest working male athlete for the 2019-20 school year
• Started all 70 games at third base across 2019 and 2020
• Was not charged with an error in 17 games in 2020 before the shutdown
• Hit safely in 14 of the 17 games, including hit streaks of seven and six games; had a nine-game hit streak in 2019
• Produced a .260/.308/.379 slash line along with 22 XBH and 36 RBI in 269 at-bats at SJSU
• Earned his bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in business
• First-team all-conference selection and golden glove winner at third base as a sophomore at Glendale CC
• Batted .306 with nine home runs, 38 RBI and 33 runs scored in 44 games as a sophomore
• Played for the Brazos Valley Bombers of the Texas Collegiate League in the summer of 2021
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played under former MLB players Alan Embree and Richie Sexson at Summit High School in Central Oregon
• Also lettered in football, working with offensive coordinator and former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe
• Helped Summit win state titles in both football and baseball as a senior during the 2015-16 school year
• Starting shortstop and quarterback on the state title teams
PERSONAL
• Major: Technolgy Leadership & Innovation Master’s Program
• Full name is Troy J. Viola
• Born in Pasadena, California
• Parents are Joe and Kathy Viola
• Family also includes younger sister Gianna
• Dad wrestled at Connecticut and his uncle Johnny wrestled at Virginia
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Los Angeles Angels
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Derek Jeter
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Pro Stadium: Dodger Stadium
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Aroldis Chapman
Funniest Teammate: Jake Jarvis
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Paul Toetz
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach Daniel Furuto
In His Favorite Playlist: Carrie Underwood
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Justin Bieber
Favorite Multi-Media App: Disney+
Favorite Super-Hero: Spider-Man
Favorite Month: June
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Favorite Food: Fettuccine Alfredo
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Snowboarding
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Football
Favorite Big City: Los Angeles, California
Country He’d Like to Visit: Italy
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Cam Thompson as Napoleon and Pablo Lanzarote as Pedro
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Baseball State Championship in 2016
Furry Friend: Chaz, Golden Retriever
• Big Ten Distinguished Scholar
• Academic All-Big Ten
• Started all 50 games at third base, Purdue's only infielder to start every game at the same position
• Became the first Boilermaker since 2018 to start every game at third
• In Big Ten play, led the team with a .383 average, 7 doubles, 21 RBI and .495 on-base percentage
• Also produced a 1.075 OPS in Big Ten play
• Impressed defensively all season, committing just five errors while compiling a .961 fielding percentage (.979 in Big Ten play)
• Recognized as the team's Defensive Player of the Year
• Made a leaping catch on the tarp down the left field line at the Big Ten Tournament, a gem that earned the No. 1 spot on SportCenter's Top 10 plays that night
• Posted a team-best 10-game hit streak and also enjoyed a 23-game on-base streak
• Had five-RBI games vs. Michigan and Northwestern, joining CJ Valdez on a short list of six Boilermakers since 2001 with two five-RBI games in a season
• Homered twice in the series-opening win vs. Michigan, posting just the fourth multi-homer game by a Boilermaker at Alexander Field (since 2013)
• Delivered the walk-off hit in the 10th inning of the April 26 victory vs. Valparaiso
• One of four student-athletes from the spring sports to be recognized for a flawless 4.0 GPA, earning the elite mark in a master's program
BEFORE PURDUE
• Played for San Jose State in 2019 and 2020 before joining Purdue as a graduate transfer
• Played his sophomore season (2018) at Glendale Community College in the Los Angeles area
• Played his freshman season at Central Arizona College (2017) south of the Phoenix area
• First-team All-Mountain West Conference third baseman during the abbreviated 2020 campaign
• Iron Spartan honoree as SJSU Athletics’ hardest working male athlete for the 2019-20 school year
• Started all 70 games at third base across 2019 and 2020
• Was not charged with an error in 17 games in 2020 before the shutdown
• Hit safely in 14 of the 17 games, including hit streaks of seven and six games; had a nine-game hit streak in 2019
• Produced a .260/.308/.379 slash line along with 22 XBH and 36 RBI in 269 at-bats at SJSU
• Earned his bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in business
• First-team all-conference selection and golden glove winner at third base as a sophomore at Glendale CC
• Batted .306 with nine home runs, 38 RBI and 33 runs scored in 44 games as a sophomore
• Played for the Brazos Valley Bombers of the Texas Collegiate League in the summer of 2021
HIGH SCHOOL
• Played under former MLB players Alan Embree and Richie Sexson at Summit High School in Central Oregon
• Also lettered in football, working with offensive coordinator and former NFL quarterback Drew Bledsoe
• Helped Summit win state titles in both football and baseball as a senior during the 2015-16 school year
• Starting shortstop and quarterback on the state title teams
PERSONAL
• Major: Technolgy Leadership & Innovation Master’s Program
• Full name is Troy J. Viola
• Born in Pasadena, California
• Parents are Joe and Kathy Viola
• Family also includes younger sister Gianna
• Dad wrestled at Connecticut and his uncle Johnny wrestled at Virginia
Purdue Personal Preferences
Favorite Pro Team: Los Angeles Angels
Traditionally Roots Against (Pro Rival): Boston Red Sox
Favorite Athlete: Derek Jeter
Favorite Marquee Event: World Series
Favorite Pro Stadium: Dodger Stadium
Current MLB Pitcher He’d Like to Face: Aroldis Chapman
Funniest Teammate: Jake Jarvis
Current Teammate with the Best Baseball Instincts: Paul Toetz
Purdue Staff Member He Enjoys Strongest Connection With: Coach Daniel Furuto
In His Favorite Playlist: Carrie Underwood
Would Love to See Him Play Purdue: Justin Bieber
Favorite Multi-Media App: Disney+
Favorite Super-Hero: Spider-Man
Favorite Month: June
Favorite Holiday: Christmas
Pick One – Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner: Breakfast
Favorite Food: Fettuccine Alfredo
Favorite Outdoor Activity: Snowboarding
Another Sport He Enjoys Playing: Football
Favorite Big City: Los Angeles, California
Country He’d Like to Visit: Italy
Favorite Costume at the Alexander Halloween Bash: Cam Thompson as Napoleon and Pablo Lanzarote as Pedro
Top Sports Moment Prior to Purdue: Baseball State Championship in 2016
Furry Friend: Chaz, Golden Retriever