Longtime Texas men’s tennis coach Dave Snyder dies at 88

Longtime Texas men’s tennis coach Dave Snyder passed away after a long battle with heart disease at the age of 88, resulting in a profound loss for the college tennis community.

Snyder, who hailed from Wichita, Kansas, left an enduring legacy at the University of Texas (UT). He not only played a crucial role on three consecutive Southwest Conference championship teams from 1954 to 1956 but also achieved the second-highest number of wins in college tennis history, an impressive record of 697 career victories.

During his tenure at Texas, Snyder mentored and coached 16 All-Americans, including renowned players like Kevin Curren, Steve Denton, Gary Plock, and Steve Bryan. Curren, a three-time All-American and Wimbledon finalist, even defeated world No. 1 John McEnroe and No. 3 Jimmy Connors to reach the Wimbledon finals in 1985.

Following Snyder’s passing, his daughter, Allison Snyder Daily, fondly remembered her father’s integrity, kindness, and sense of humor. She expressed her gratitude for his impact on so many lives, stating, “He was an amazing dad and a beautiful human being who was loved by so many.”

Tragically, Snyder’s untimely death occurred a few hours before he could watch the Kansas State-Texas football game, a team he anticipated cheering for. However, Texas’ hard-fought 33-30 overtime victory inspired his former players to establish a text chain, crediting their triumph to their beloved coach.

Snyder is survived by his wife, Nancy, his son, Doug, and his daughter, Allison Snyder Daily, along with her two sons, Burke and Rider Daily.

Snyder served as Texas’ head coach from 1973 until his retirement in 2000, succeeding the legendary Wilmer Allison. With a remarkable record of nine conference championships, including the first three in the Big 12, and 22 appearances in NCAA championship play within his 28 seasons, Snyder guided the Longhorns to exceptional success, winning 75% of their dual matches during his tenure.

Kevin Curren, one of Snyder’s most accomplished protégés, acknowledged the profound impact Snyder had on his life. Curren, speaking from Durban, South Africa, emphasized how Snyder took a chance on him as a young, talented athlete from South Africa, shaping the trajectory of his entire career. Curren further described Snyder as an iconic figure in the history of the Texas tennis program.

In recognition of his contributions, Snyder was inducted into prestigious institutions such as the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame, the UT Hall of Honor, the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, and the Missouri Valley Hall of Fame.

Prior to his passing, Snyder had an opportunity to speak with his close friend Eddie Reese, the UT men’s swimming coach. It was confirmed that Snyder lived a life of grace and honor, with his passing not coming as a surprise due to his prolonged illness.

Funeral arrangements for Coach Snyder are currently pending.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Longhorns men’s tennis coach Dave Snyder dies at 88