Marshall University Athletics
Marshall Athletics Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 1986
- Class:
- 1947
Charlie Snyder’s Marshall playing career was divided in half because of service in the U.S. Navy during World War II. The Catlettsburg, Ky., native was a two-way tackle for Coach Cam Henderson in 1941 and 1942, then was called away for military service. Snyder returned to play at Marshall in 1946 and ‘47, serving as team captain during his senior season and leading the team to a 9-2 regular-season record and the school’s first bowl berth in the New Year’s Day Tangerine Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
After graduating from Marshall, Snyder returned to teach and coach at Catlettsburg High School, where he led the football team to a 55-21-4 record over nine seasons, including a 10-0-1 mark in 1953. Snyder later moved to Lafayette High School in Lexington and then became an assistant coach at the University of Kentucky for one season before being hired as Marshall’s head football coach from 1959-67. Snyder’s run at Marshall was highlighted by a 7-3 record in 1964, the most wins Marshall would register in a season in a 38-year stretch from 1947-85. That season, Snyder that season was named the West Virginia College Coach of the Year.
After leaving Marshall, Snyder became an assistant coach at the University of Toledo, helping the Rockets to perfect 12-0 seasons in 1970 and 1971, with final Associated Press rankings of No. 12 and 14, respectively. Snyder remained on the Toledo coaching staff until 1976, when he became an associate athletic director and later a vice president at the school. He was inducted into the Marshall Athletic Hall of Fame in 1986.
