OUTSTANDING ATHLETE

Induction Year: 2017 | Graduation Year: 1997

Cory Snyder was born on May 29, 1979 in Goshen, IN to Jim and Elaine Snyder. His family moved to New Carlisle, OH during the summer of 1987, before his third grade year, where he grew up attending Westlake Elementary School, New Carlisle Middle School, and Tecumseh High School. A 1997 graduate of Tecumseh High School, Cory participated in three sports and numerous activities. He played freshmen and junior varsity basketball during his first two years of high school and was a four year member of the baseball and football teams while participating in other activities such as National Honor Society and the leadership of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Cory played second base for three seasons on the varsity baseball team under Roger Culbertson including a memorable run to the sectional championship game during his sophomore season. He ended up leading the team at the plate as a leadoff hitter finishing the season with a batting average of .471, stealing 21 bases, and scoring 27 runs in 68 at bats. Cory was recognized on the 1st Team All CBC and All Springfield Area Teams.

As a football player, Cory stood out as a wide receiver and returner on teams coached by Bob Delong. As a starter during his sophomore year, he was a part of the first Tecumseh team in over 30 years to win six games in a season. The following year, the team won a share of the program’s first ever CBC championship with an 8-2 record. As a captain during his senior season, the team finished with a record of 7-3 and became the first class in school history to never experience a losing season. Individually, Cory earned 2nd Team and 1st Team All-CBC honors during his junior and senior seasons respectively and 1st Team All-Clark County and 2nd Team All Springfield Area during his senior season and was invited to participate in the Miami Valley North-South All-Star Game.

During his time at Tecumseh he was a member of the National Honor Society, scored in the 99th percentile nationally on the ACT, and graduated as a co-valedictorian of his class. These accomplishments in combination with his on the field achievements provided him the opportunity to attend Washington University in St. Louis.

Snyder was a four year member of the football team and also played baseball during his freshman year while at Wash U. Under Head Coach Larry Kindbom, Snyder excelled as a wide receiver and kick returner. Following a successful sophomore season, his first asa starter, Snyder set school records for receptions in a game and receptions in a season during his junior year. It was during that record setting year that the Bears qualified for the NCAA Division III playoffs for the first time in school history. Upon completion of his senior season, Cory left the Wash U. football program with two additional records, most receptions in a career and longest kickoff return. Snyder currently ranks as the third all-time leading receiver and second all-time leading kick returner in program history.

Snyder was also recognized as a 2nd Team All Conference WR following his sophomore year, a 1st Team All Conference WR and KR following his junior and senior years, a team captain and Offensive MVP during his senior year, and a preseason D3football.com 3rd Team All-American preceding his senior season.

After graduating from Washington University in 2001 with a degree in secondary education and physics, Snyder began his career teaching and coaching at Westminster Christian Academy in St. Louis. During that time Snyder earned his master’s degree in educational administration and spent his first ten years as an assistant coach and defensive coordinator in the football program that started playing varsity football in only 2000. In 2011 he was given the chance to lead the Wildcats and spent five years as the head coach at Westminster. During his time as the head coach, the Wildcats achieved a record of 44-17 making him the winningest coach in program history. The Wildcats also advanced to the state quarterfinals in 2013 and 2014 and the state semifinals in 2015.

Following the 2016 school year Cory took the head football coach and teaching job at Francis Howell High School in the St.Louis area. In his first year the team finished 9-3 making a playoff run to the state quarterfinals in Missouri’s largest classification. Cory currently resides in O’Fallon, MO with his wife Nicole and children AJ (11) and Elise (9). He always looks forward to his visits to New Carlisle and the opportunity to reconnect with old coaches and teammates. This was especially true with Coach Kent Massie who passed away over the summer and Cory will greatly miss those opportunities. He is extremely honored and humbled to be inducted into the TecumsehAthletic Hall of Fame and knows that this individual achievement, like all others, are the result of the hard work, dedication, and support of his coaches, teammates, teachers, and family.