AIKEN, S.C. – University of South Carolina Aiken long-time head softball coach Jerry Snyder recently concluded his time at the helm of the Pacer program.

Snyder wrapped up a 34-year career with a ledger of 794-773-3 while guiding his program to four NCAA Tournament appearances, all of which came since 2009 while playing against some of the toughest competition in Division II.

His final year was cut short due to COVID-19 and the cancellation of nearly half the season, but Snyder's squad was 16-10 during the 2020 campaign, averaging 5.4 runs a game while collectively batting .318. The Pacers had a .370 on-base percentage and swiped 59 bases in a mere 66 attempts.

Snyder was always willing to help co-workers, students, alumni and perspective students, which was shown by him leading the way by hosting the North-South All-Star game for several seasons in the summer.

In 24 of his final 26 seasons, Snyder guided the team to at least 20 wins, including a program-best 37 wins in 2007. He guided the program to at least 30 wins eight times, including 1997, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2014.

The Short Gap, W. Va., native is in the top 20 all-time for NCAA Division II coaches in career wins.

Two student-athletes have had their jerseys honored under Snyder, including three-time All-American Jessica Strickland and multi-sport standout Jami Cornwell.

Snyder has coached a pair of All-Americans and six student-athletes who have earned all-region honors (11 times).

Snyder has coached 35 all-conference honorees, one PBC Player of the Year, three PBC Freshman of the Year and 24 PBC all-tournament team selections.
 
Off the field, his student-athletes have earned PBC all-academic team honors 29 times. Twice he has had students named NFCA Scholar Athletes.

"Jerry Snyder has been synonymous with USC Aiken softball for over three decades," Director of Athletics Jim Herlihy said. "As the only coach in Pacer softball history, he has literally built the program from scratch and been an impactful figure for hundreds of student-athletes."

During his time as a Pacer, Snyder essentially built both softball fields by hand, including where USC Aiken hosts its current home games, J.H. Satcher Field. The field opened as a softball facility on March 22, 2004. Snyder's team swept Newberry that afternoon by scores of 8-0 and 4-3.  

"The biggest highlight since I have been here is that my players have graduated and have gone on with their lives to become successful people," Snyder said. "You should measure your success with what your student-athletes do in the classroom, instead of what they do on the field."

Snyder's winning record alone does not measure his legacy. The hundreds of successful student-athletes on and off the field and later in life can attest to how successful Snyder has made others since his arrival at USC Aiken.

 
Prior to his final doubleheader, Columbus State presented head coach Jerry Snyder with a bat to commemorate his time as a Pacer.