Bill Viola Jr. began his non-profit work as a Senior at the University of Pittsburgh (1999).  Viola founded Kumite International (KI), a scholarship foundation (the first of its kind in the United States) through a partnership with Western PA Police Athletic League and Eckert Seamans Law Firm. KI allocated $50,000 in scholarship funds for karate athletes and made national news when Lynn Swann (The Chairman of President George W. Bush’s Council of Physical Fitness and Sports) presented the scholarships with Viola Jr. at his 2004 Kumite Classic.

The Kumite Classic Hall of Fame was founded in 2000 at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Original members included prominent members of the martial arts community who had scholarships named in their honor. The first scholarship winner was Jenn Smith from BCAC Academy of Tae Kwon Do.  The award was in honor of Bill Viola Sr. and was paid to the University of Pittsburgh.  Kumite International was the first non-profit scholarship organization in America based on competitive sport karate.  Over $100,000 in college scholarship opportunities were made available through the program created by Eckert Seamans Law firm and supported by the Western Pennsylvania Police Athletic league.