Brittanie Viar
SORSN: The majority of us have been in a car wreck, most not as severe as yours. I personally decided to clear out some trees with my truck which won me a trip in the UT LifeStar. Can you tell us about the accident, what injuries you sustained, and the surgeries that you’ve undergone? As in my case, the mental recovery can be just as long if not longer than the physical recovery. Following my wreck, it took me several weeks before I was able to get behind the wheel again. The majority of my wreck I can not remember but began having some memories of the event several months afterwards. Could you also tell us about your recovery?
Brittanie: All I remember about the wreck is leaving my house. I don’t remember even making it my grandparent’s house which is the next house down the road. When we wrecked and they were tending to me I do remember asking someone what happened and they told me that I had been in a very bad car wreck and I was hurt pretty bad. I also remember trying to fight someone because I was so scared. I didn’t know what was going on. I suffered lacerations to my face, broke nose, lost part of my right thumb, broken femur and a stretched PCL. I have 2 metal plates in my head and also a rod and pins in my right leg. I have had 2 nose surgeries, only because the 1st time my nose was worse than when the Doctor started. After I came home from the hospital I started physical therapy for 3 days a week. My recovery for me was very slow, I thought that I would never be able to be back and playing ball again.
SORSN: You made some heroic comebacks over the last couple years. Returning to both the softball and basketball lineups your junior year following the wreck. Returning to the softball lineup following yet another knee surgery. You pushed hard and worked hard to make it back and play for the Green and White, probably harder than anyone will ever know. At any point did you wonder if it was worth all the therapy, all the blood, sweat, and tears, to make it back? Was giving up and just accepting the injuries ever in your thoughts?
Brittanie: I loved softball and basketball very much and have played ever since I was little. I wanted to come back so bad. I hated sitting on the bench or in the dugout watching and knowing I couldn’t do anything. Sooo all the blood, sweat and tears were definitely worth coming back and playing.
Give up? No, I remember telling Coach Mitchell in the hospital if I haven’t of broken my leg I could have played in 2 weeks. Although I got down on myself, I always tried a little harder to make myself better.
SORSN: I’m sure you’ve been told about the number of visitors that came to the hospital the day of the accident, the majority of which were not able to make it back to see you. As I walked in the ER waiting room and saw that it was standing room only for all those that came from SOR, I tell you Britt, it was an amazing sight. Family, friends, teammates packed the Chattanooga hospital all with hopes and prayers that you would be OK. When you’ve been teammates with the same players over several years, you can develop an amazing bond. There’s always that one teammate that you never have to say anything to..they are thinking the same thing you are..they know what you’re going to do often before you do. One look and that person knows to break to the basket for a bounce pass or work a “give and go”. A good teammate is as critical off the court as they are on. Pushing you to work hard to make that play off and on the court. A “brace” for you when you’re hurt. Who has been that kind of teammate for you?
Brittanie: Whitney Parks has been a great and true friend ever since we were little. We have played ball together since we were little. We know what each others thinking on and off the field without saying a word. That doesn’t mean that we haven’t had our differences, but she has always been there for me when I needed her most. I could always count on her to be at the hospital or at my house after the wreck. I know that she probably had better things to do than sit and “babysit” her bestfriend but never once did I hear her complain. THANKS WHT!!
SORSN: You’re mom has one of, if not the, best singing voices around. Your dad, back when he topped the scales at 115lbs, had a pure jump shot and was a solid shooter from long range (even though he played before the 3-point line). You’ve got a good gene pool. Since you’re retired from basketball, will you be pursuing a singing career? If I recall, you sang at last year’s graduation ceremony.
Brittanie: Although a singing career is not in the plans right now, that is and will be an open window.
SORSN: It’s known that history buff Michael Hayes, formally known as that crazy man screaming on the sidelines, has an addiction to Dr. Pepper. How many Dr. Pepper’s would you guess that he drinks a day? Could Dr P be the reason he’s always “on edge”? Did you know that he has his neighbor (whom is known to have an inside advantage to the sugar loaded, yet wonderfully tasting, carbonated beverages) buy the drink in bulk? When stores have sales they will often limit the number of cases that you can buy – did you know that he has disguises that he uses in order to buy more than the allotted cases?
Brittanie: I would say 8. He would have 2 for each meal then 1 in between. On game days it would be 10 just for those nerves he would have to calm. He would need 1 during the game so he would have something moist in his mouth for the spitting he would do to get his point across. That could possibly be one of the reasons. I didn’t know about the disguises but I believe it.
SORSN: With all that sugar in his system, it’s no wonder why he walks the track in town every evening. We’ve all seen him; bouncing around with his head phones on. What kind of music do you think he’s listening to? Rumor has it that he’s listening to a Richard Simmons work out tape, any truth to this rumor? Have you noticed that no matter how windy it is outside that his hair never moves? Has he ever asked you for some hair gel?
Brittanie: Even though it could be Richard Simmons, I would lean more toward Gretchen Wilson’s “Here for the Party” or Faith Hill. You know he has a thing for those two. As for the hair gel I’ve heard that he owns stock in a major hair gel company.
(C’on Coach! Gretchen Wilson?? Shouldn’t you pick someone closer to your age, someone like Loretta Lynn? Or one of the other “pioneers” of country music.)