Hall of Fame
Known as “Pa” to his teammates, Steve Snyder was a three-year letterman for the Hampden-Sydney basketball program. Snyder was regarded for his diligent work ethic, and Coach Bill Pegram described Snyder by stating, “The thing you could say about Steve was that he gave 125% of himself.” During his senior season, he was selected as a co-captain, averaged 13.3 points-per-game, and was awarded the sportsmanship award. Snyder also scored a career-high 33 points against Roanoke College. Immediately after graduation, Snyder received a commission in the Marines; he had been promoted to second lieutenant and was a platoon leader at the time of his death, in action, on August 26, 1966. Snyder was the only alumnus to die in combat in Vietnam and received the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism as Lieutenant Snyder volunteered to attempt to relieve a trapped platoon. Phillip L. Hickman, a member of Snyder’s platoon, stated, “there has never been a more courageous platoon leader or better human being!”
