The Saint Vincent College community is mourning the loss of Steve Snider, assistant track and field coach, who passed away on Feb. 28.
 
A Western Pennsylvania high school track and cross country coaching legend, Steve joined the Saint Vincent cross country coaching staff in 2007 following a 28-year teaching and coaching career at Greensburg Salem High School. Coach Snider served on the cross country and track and field staff at Saint Vincent from 2007-19, and then rejoined the track and field coaching staff for the 2021-22 season.
 
"Steve was a very professional, knowledgeable and excellent teacher of the sport," said Fr. Myron Kirsch, O.S.B., Saint Vincent College Director of Athletics. "What made him special was that he combined those qualities with being a very caring, compassionate and respectful person. We will miss his presence here at Saint Vincent."
 
Dr. Andrew Herr, who has served as the head men's cross country coach at Saint Vincent since 2003, said that he was honored to have worked alongside Coach Snider for 12 seasons.
 
"In his presence," said Herr," he always made you feel that you were the most important person in the world. He set high standards in terms of effort, attitude and performance and would do everything in his power to help you to succeed. Coach Snider had a strong, positive influence on more people than anyone whom I have ever met. He will be greatly missed by the Saint Vincent and Greensburg communities."
 
Kevin Wanichko, C'12, head coach of the Saint Vincent College men's and women's track and field and women's cross country teams, had the privilege of both running under and coaching alongside Coach Snider.
 
"Heaven got a great one," said Wanichko. "Coach Snider was more than a coach to me. He was a father figure, mentor, best friend and truly the greatest man I have ever met. He changed my life and I will be forever thankful to him.
 
"I have countless memories, as anyone who knew him would. He always made you feel like you were the most important person when he talked to you. His famous saying, 'It's a beautiful day!,' will last with me a lifetime. I'm beyond thankful I got to coach beside him and watch him inspire more young people, something he was so great at."
 
A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 3, at New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroeville. Saint Vincent College will hold a celebration of Coach Snider's life at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 10, in the Mary, Mother of Wisdom Student Chapel.