FLORENCE, Italy — Columbia men's basketball toured Viola Park on Friday afternoon. Home to ACF Fiorentina and opened this year, it is one of the largest soccer facilities in Europe and is owned by Columbia Athletics Hall of Famer
Rocco B. Commisso '71SEAS.
The Lions arrived at Viola Park around 2 p.m. local time and were greeted by Commisso, Chief Executive Officer Joe Barone, and several members of the ACF Fiorentina staff. The team entered through the media center where a video presentation played. Commisso then spoke to the team and opened the floor for questions. Head coach Jim Engles presented Commisso with a Columbia basketball jacket and hat. Commisso then handed Engles an ACF Fiorentina jersey that says 'Columbia Lions' on the back.
"We are grateful and appreciative of Rocco's support of Columbia University," said Peter Pilling, Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education. "It was a phenomenal experience for our student-athletes to be able to see such a world-class facility and interact with ACF Fiorentina players. We'd like to thank him and his staff for having the men's basketball program at Viola Park and for their hospitality."
The group then was taken around on golf carts and the first stops were at both stadiums that total a capacity of 4,500. The Physical Therapy and Wellness area was next, which features a 25-meter swimming pool, thermal pools, and more. The Lions then passed through the strength training areas that consumes 6,600 square feet of space.
"I just want to thank Rocco for having us at his facility," Engles said. "That was amazing. It's unbelievable to see what he's accomplished over here. I'll be wearing purple as they start and just want to wish them luck."
The last stop on the Viola Park tour was at the Restaurant/Event Hall, where the team was served lunch and offered a final thanks to Commisso and his staff for the warm welcome and hospitality.
Columbia men's basketball is currently on a 12-day foreign tour through Switzerland and Italy. The Lions spent three nights in Switzerland and are now spending seven nights in Italy before returning to the United States on Tuesday, Aug. 22. Fans can stay tuned to this page along with the Columbia men's basketball
Twitter and
Instagram pages for daily updates and content throughout the team's tour. To view the trip's full itinerary, click
here.
