The 2025-26 season marks coach Snyder’s fourth year with the Zags. During Snyder’s first three years in Spokane, he focused on the top three 8+s of athletes through much of the year, with more focus on the II Eight by season end. Specifically, Snyder contributed to success with Conference Championships in both the I and II Eights during the two campaigns and winning the overall team championships those years as well. Nationally the II Eight took 19th in the country by winning the 4th Final to close out 2023 and improved on that result in 2024 by finishing 17th at the NCAA championships. This tied the program’s second highest team finish to date.
Snyder’s previous experience includes three years at LMU, where he was promoted and served as the Associate Head Coach for the 2021-22 academic year. He was an assistant coach for the Lions for two years prior to being elevated. At LMU, Snyder worked at elevating all aspects of the program but was notably responsible for coaching the 2V8 boat that finished second, only behind the Zags, at the 2022 WCC Championships. It was the highest finish for any Loyola Marymount boat at the conference championships.
Before arriving at Seattle Pacific, Snyder found success at Lakeside School in Seattle, Wash. He spent four years contributing to the program at Lakeside, over the years progressively leading the junior varsity girls, boys and girls overall novice program, then the varsity girls program. His final year resulted in bringing five athletes to represent Lakeside at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Lake Natoma, Calif.
A long time swim coach and fitness instructor, Snyder is no stranger to devising varied and engaging workouts and cultivating a desire to remain competitive.
A four-year varsity athlete at Florida Tech, Snyder culminated his collegiate rowing career with a 4th place finish at the IRA championships in 2005 in the pair without coxswain.
Snyder earned his B.S. in Civil Engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology in 2005. He also completed a M.Ed. from the University of Washington in 2019 specializing in Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership.
Snyder’s passion for service has brought him to working with diverse groups including youth leadership development, national park service organizations, historical societies, classical dance troupes, and nationally recognized service organizations. His leadership development has been summed up in the following words: “A truly inspiring leader is one who is generous with his time, is stalwart in his ethics and drive, and an unwavering focus on those he serves. Eric Snyder has such a crystal-clear conception of who stands to gain from his service that his incredible diligence seems effortless.”
Eric makes it a point to celebrate the accomplishments of others and never reveal the hard work it takes to get his fellows to that point. Service, growth, and mentorship are coach Snyder’s hallmark.
Snyder grew a love for rowing as a child watching his father row through the Montlake Cut in Seattle. He honed his craft at Satellite High School in the inaugural four years rowing with Space Coast Crew. Coach Snyder now lives in Spokane with his wife Christa and two dogs, relentless in their combined pursuit of outdoor adventure.
Coach Snyder brings a constant focus on quality and improvement and welcomes recruits who seek the same.
