Roy Snyder

A graduate of Allentown High School (1954) and East Stroudsburg University (ESU) (1958), Roy was an outstanding swimmer. He captained both his high school and college swim teams during his senior year, holding numerous school and pool records in the butterfly, breaststroke and individual medley events. He was a six-time PIAA District XI champion, two- time PIAA Eastern regional champion and a state runner-up in the IM (1953 & 1954). At ESU, he was an NCAA qualifier in the 100 and 200 butterfly events. Roy was offered the opportunity to open the first school pool in Berks County at Wilson High School (1964). His comprehensive aquatic program has become a model for other high schools throughout the state and nation. During 51 years of coaching, his boy’s swim teams have won four PIAA State AAA team titles (2000-01, 2005, 2008), 25 Central Penn League titles and 15 PIAA District III AAA championships with an overall record of 469-91-1. The Bulldogs have had 13 undefeated seasons under Snyder and he has coached two national interscholastic record holders, over 250 high school All- American swimmers and water polo players, more than 180 PIAA District champions, 6 PIAA state record holders and 25 PIAA state champions throughout his coaching career. Roy became Wilson’s athletic director (1984) and held the position for 20 years, during which Wilson had unprecedented success in more than 20 varsity sports. Roy was inducted into the Berks County Swimming, PA State Swimming at Penn State, Wilson Sports and Pennsylvania Sports Halls of Fame. He has been the Berks County Coach of the Year eight times and was named the PA Coach of the Year (2002).