Newberry Welcomes Jay Snyder as New Baseball Head Coach
New Head Coach Steps Up to a Promising Future
NEWBERRY – The Newberry College Athletics Department has made a significant decision by appointing Jay Snyder as the new head coach of the Wolves baseball program. This promotion comes as Snyder transitions from his role as the associate head coach, a position he held since 2014.
Snyder has been part of the Newberry baseball family since joining the program in 2008. He takes over the head coach responsibilities from Russell Triplett, who guided the team to an impressive record of 418 victories, capturing two South Atlantic Conference titles and making two trips to the NCAA Tournament.
Acknowledgment from the Higher-Ups
In his statement, Sean Johnson, the Director of Athletics at Newberry College, expressed his confidence in Snyder. “Jay Snyder is absolutely the right person to continue the legacy of excellence of Newberry College baseball both on and off the field,” Johnson said. He added that Snyder and his family are an important part of the Wolves community.
Snyder himself shared his feelings about the new position, noting, “I’m extremely honored and blessed to be named the next head coach of the Wolves program. The support shown from players past and present, along with our campus and community, means a lot to my family and me.” He looked forward to continuing and building upon the tradition that makes Newberry Wolves baseball special.
Success on the Field
During his 16 years with the Newberry program, Snyder has played a key role in their success. Under his guidance, the team has achieved 460 victories and has consistently excelled in academics, leading the South Atlantic Conference in team grade point average for the last 10 years.
From a rocky start this past season, with a record of 4-14, the team bounced back to win 22 out of their last 36 games, showing resilience with 17 wins from the last 24 conference matchups. They ended the season tied for third in the South Atlantic Conference standings and reached the championship game of the SAC opening round tournament.
Noteworthy Achievements and Honors
The Wolves have demonstrated a strong competitive spirit over the past several years, securing winning seasons in 11 of the last 12 seasons. Snyder’s leadership saw the team compile a remarkable 103-35 record in conference play over the last six years, with at least 30 victories in seven of those eleven seasons.
In 2023, the Wolves made history by winning both the South Atlantic Conference regular season and tournament titles, achieving a record 43 wins while hosting the NCAA Regional Tournament. Their performance not only spotlighted their talents but also marked the team’s first-ever NCAA Tournament victory.
A Legacy of Excellence
Some notable individual achievements include center fielder Donovan Ford earning All-America honors, and several players receiving additional all-conference accolades. Overall, Snyder’s tenure has seen Newberry baseball student-athletes secure numerous titles and recognitions, including Player of the Year and multiple All-Region selections.
Background and Experience
Before coming to Newberry, Snyder started his coaching career at Keystone College, where he significantly improved player performance, leading to numerous team successes including four consecutive conference championships. Snyder has also contributed as a hitting coach for the Danbury Westerners in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Originally hailing from Milton, Pennsylvania, Snyder had a successful playing career at Keystone and went on to play for LaSalle University, where he was a two-year team captain and earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Jay Snyder, alongside his wife Samantha and their daughter Rowan, is looking forward to the journey ahead with the Newberry Wolves baseball program.
