Where Are They Now with ... Tito Solano

WATCH THE WHOLE EPISODE HERE

Louisville, Ky – University of Louisville swimming and diving assistant coach Kameron Chastain catches up with 1995 graduate and Cardinal Forever Tito Solano in this week's podcast episode of Where Are They Now. They talk about his unique career, his experiences at UofL and what he's doing today.

"I was so grateful about the opportunity. I was just happy to be there, to be part of team and to be given the opportunity to make my life in the United States," Tito said of swimming at Louisville.

Hailing from Ecuador, Solano's journey to Louisville was an interesting one. As a junior level swimmer, Tito wrote letters to universities in the U.S. with the intention of getting someone's attention and ultimately a scholarship. The process took about a year and 80-90 letters before he had a small pool of possibilities when he decided to go to the school who offered the most money and set off for Alabama A&M. In his first semester there, the athletic department cut the swim program leaving Solano without a team, so he joined a swim club with high school kids. After a year in Alabama, Tito made contact with former UofL swim coach Rick Hill and was able to become a Cardinal after his sophomore year.

From his time at Louisville, Solano said he was always grateful for the opportunity he had to swim and go to college at UofL and in the United States.

"I owe Rick, he set the standard up for me and believed in me," said Solano.

Coming to campus in August 1990, Solano felt so much pride being on the team, having the opportunity to compete and have fun doing so. Having success as an international swimmer at the time, Tito never had to choose between school and international competition because they were on different schedules, which allowed him to immerse himself in the world of swimming 100 percent of the time.

"When I reached my senior year of college, I was having so much fun that I decided I am going to continue my swimming. I knew though, I also wanted to get my master's degree, so I jumped right in after graduation even though I had to take a year off from swimming," Solano said of the end his undergrad career.

As a Cardinal, he was the 1995 Men's Swimming MVP and was a 1995 Southern States Independent Conference High Point. He was a member of the Ecuador National Team for 18 years and has broken five Master's World Records in the 200 breaststroke (LCM).

During his time as a graduate student, Solano helped coach the team which he says allowed him to learn more about the sport and helped him appreciate it even more.

"Swimming to me is a lifestyle. I plan to do this for the rest of my life," Solano said of his passion for the sport.

Today, Tito helps coach young swimmers locally at Blairwood where he's coached the summer swim team for 10 years. He takes a lot of pride in knowing he had an impact on so many kids' lives during a portion of their life through swimming.

Tito also participates in Masters Swimming, training and competing in the pool.

"I've been lucky I haven't many injuries swimming. I am lucky I am able to train. I try to swim three to four times a week and that keeps me in the game, keeps me hungry and I enjoy it," said Solano, who credits swimming with bringing him some of his best relationships and friends as well as memories and a lifelong passion.

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