Ray Snyder, the new girls swim and dive head coach, was hired this past summer by Woodland Regional High School. Through his consistent perseverance and dedication shown in past coaching jobs, Woodland only found it right for him to be the new coach. Even after being named head coach of the team, Snyder continues to work hard, so that the girls team can, yet again, prove why they are the powerhouse of the Naugatuck Valley League.
Snyder has been swimming his entire life, all the way up through college. Though his passion for the sport did not end there because, after he finished college, he became a coach. He has only been a coach for a couple of years, but he has shown signs of greatness. After having a couple of coaching years under his belt, he still finds it challenging to coach new teams.
“[I am] settling in pretty good. It is always difficult stepping into big shoes for a coach that has been here for twenty years and the girls’ season is a short season,” said Snyder. “Trying to get to know everyone is not always easy, but we are having a good time and the girls are doing great.”
Snyder has been in the swimming scene ever since he was little. He started at the young age of six when his father and grandfather introduced him to the sport. From that moment on Ray knew he would not only become a swimmer, but also a great coach.
“I have a father and a grandfather who have coached in the city of Waterbury and the NVL for forty years,” said Snyder. “I started swimming at six years old at the Waterbury YMCA, and I swam at Sacred Heart High School and Southern Connecticut State University.”
Snyder has been coaching for a little over seven years now and has experience from coaching college and club teams. His prior background in coaching played an important factor in why Woodland thought he would make an excellent girls swim team head coach.
“Out of college, I started coaching at the Waterbury YMCA and Watertown Rec. Then, I coached at the Division Three level at Alfred University for three years,” said Snyder. “Once COVID hit, I moved back home to Connecticut and coached at the Wilton YMCA, for two years coaching twelve and under swimmers. After that, I coached the Immaculate Bethel High School as an assistant coach, and now I am here.”
Though he has only been coaching at Woodland for about a month, Snyder has high hopes in the team and what they can accomplish. He looks to win the Naugatuck Valley League championship and finish top at State Championships in Class S.
“On top of the fun loving attitude that the girls team has, I think I bring a positive energy every day and an excitement to get better,” said Snyder. “I think we’re all motivated and on the same page which is what a successful team needs.”
