The Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches Hall of Fame
The Drake Relays Hall of Fame
The USATF Hall of Fame (1978)
Lawrence Snyder (August 9, 1896 – September 25, 1982) was an American track and field athlete, coach, and military veteran. He served as the track and field coach at Ohio State University from 1932 to 1965.[1]
A graduate of Canton High School (OH), Snyder served as a pilot instructor during World War I, later doing some stunt flying in the early 1920s. He enrolled at Ohio State University shortly thereafter and earned three letters as a high hurdler from 1922–24.[3]
Military career
Snyder was an instructor pilot in World War I and also served in the U.S. Navy in World War II.[4]
Coaching career
Snyder was due to participate in the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris as a runner, but was injured in an airplane crash a few weeks before he was due to leave for the game. This ended his hope of an athletic career, leaving him only the option of being a coach and training others.
The most heralded athlete coached by Larry Snyder was Jesse Owens, and Coach Snyder helped improve Jesse's techniques and performance.[5]
He gets more out of you than you ever dreamed you had. ... At the Olympic Games, he had me so fired up I couldn't miss.
Snyder was the U.S. track and field assistant coach in 1952 (Helsinki) and the head coach in 1960 (Rome).[1] Under his coaching, the 1952 USA team won 40 medals in Helsinki[6] and the 1960 team won 32 medals in Rome.[7]
