Brittny Picconi

Picconi puts faith first

By: Elyssa Brogdon

Posted: 12/3/07

Senior guard Brittny Picconi focuses on the positives in life.

Unlike most athletes, Picconi is going to miss the early morning practices.

"You are so used to going to practice, going to conditioning, going to class and going home because you have to get up in the morning," Picconi said. "It's going to be different because I won't have to get up and I'll have no obligations. The structure helps me … now [after college] I'll have to force myself to workout."

Picconi may miss the structure, but she almost missed out on UMKC all together. The senior guard considers transferring from Xavier University to be the hardest decision she ever made.

"It was such a weird situation," Picconi said. "It was so hard, I had people telling me to stay, people were mad at me. I had to go with my gut feeling, but that was tough."

Picconi has had a tough life that's "always had rocky points."

"It's never really been a smooth road," Picconi said. "Just when I think things are going great … when you're about to go to college and you go to Xavier and it's not what you thought it was."

Picconi doesn't focus on the past and sticks to her motto "never lose faith" despite how long it takes for things to get better.

"There are so many obstacles and you get faced with them everyday," Picconi said. "But no matter what, you have to have faith that it is going to get better."

One thing Picconi has never had to think twice about is the game of basketball itself. She is out there to help in whatever way she can, whether that's playing on the court or cheering from the bench. Not letting her team down motivates Picconi, but so does proving people wrong.

"When someone says I can't do something, I'll prove them wrong," Picconi said. "I hate when people say it can't be done."

This 5'10" guard doesn't have to worry about lacking hobbies. She loves pilates, hanging out with friends and having slumber parties, not to mention the baby doll collection she enjoyed through her junior high years.

Picconi wants four children of her own as well as a good marriage, a good job and to be on ESPN.

"I'd love to make it one day on ESPN, that's my goal," Picconi said.

Until ESPN calls, Picconi is happy practicing her skills in front of the camera in her productions class. Picconi is a communication studies major with a minor in broadcasting. But what's one thing she won't report on? Gossip.

"I wish I could make the world the best place to be," Picconi said, "with no gossiping."

ebrogdon@unews.com