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Pat Snyder
Selected as Head Coach For MCCC Men's Soccer
4/29/11
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West
Windsor, N.J. - Patrick Snyder, of Chesterfield, has been
officially named head coach for men's soccer at Mercer County
Community College, according to Athletics Director John Simone.
Snyder had been serving in an interim position since the departure
of Larry Povia in February. Snyder served as first assistant/goalkeeper
coach under Povia during the fall 2010 season when the Vikings
won the Region 19 title and finished 15th nationally.
A soccer player at Mercer in 1997 under then head coach Charlie
Inverso, Snyder has been an assistant coach with the Vikings
for four of the last seven seasons, including 2004, when the
team won the NJCAA national title. In 2007, he took the position
of head coach at Felician College in Rutherford, NJ, where
he served for three seasons before returning to MCCC.
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Soccer Coach Pat Snyder, far right, with freshmen expected
to return to next fall, from left, Nic Newcomer, Jonathan
Savage and Sammy Gonzalez.
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A
graduate of Notre Dame High School, Snyder recalls his playing days
at Mercer. "I loved every minute of it," he says. "It
was great to be at Mercer, where soccer is played at such a high
level." He notes that Inverso fostered desire and competitiveness
in every player. "He knew how to get the most out of everyone,"
Snyder observed, an approach he plans to follow.
Snyder continued his education at The College of New Jersey, earning
his bachelor's degree in Communications. He has been drawn to coaching
ever since, first working as a club team coach and then as an assistant
at Delaware Valley College. Currently he is head coach for U17 Boys
for the New Jersey Olympic Development Program.
According to Snyder, the best aspect of the community college environment
is that players spend a lot of time playing, rather than waiting
to work their way into the lineup. "It's the best way to learn
and playing is what the kids want to do anyway. It's an environment
where you learn how to play together as a team."
A former player for the German American Club, Snyder notes that
he has a wide network of local coaches and assistant coaches that
will be useful in his new post. And, he says, he will coach with
a passion for the college. "Mercer means so much to me,"
he said. He reports that his recruiting efforts for the fall season
are going well.
Simone added, "Pat has played an important role in the team's
success. He has benefited from working with Coaches Inverso and
Povia, and we expect him to pick up where Coach Povia left off.
We are fortunate in Mercer County to have a wealth of excellent
coaches and talented players."
In the past three decades, the Vikings have won eight national titles
and have reached the NJCAA Final Four 12 times. Eighty players have
been named All-Americans, while many more have been selected to
All Region and All GSAC teams.
"I welcome the challenge of maintaining the tradition of soccer
excellence that Mercer is known for," Snyder said. "We
will continue to develop the talents of our players and the teamwork
that produces results."
Snyder anticipates a smooth transition, with a coaching staff to
include Tigana Dalce, Bill Daley, John Pietrowski and Artie Taylor.
"I feel confident in what we can achieve, especially with the
staff we have here," Snyder said.
He notes that his other role will be to motivate his players in
the classroom. "Study halls for soccer players are mandatory.
Focusing on academics is an important part of helping players transfer
to four-year schools," Snyder notes.
High school soccer players interested in more information about
the MCCC men's soccer program should contact Patrick Snyder at 609-570-3746
or snyderp@mccc.edu.
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