As college rivalries heat up in conference play, Shawnee State football is still two years off, but the coaching staff is working just as hard, if not harder to prepare for when it’s time for the Bears to take the field.
Coach Mark Snyder and his crew are building a foundation. A foundation strong enough to launch a legacy that’s bigger than just Shawnee State University. It’s the start of a tradition and point of pride for this region to embrace, celebrate, and claim as their own. The challenge has Coach Snyder and his crew excited for what the future holds.
“The chance to start something new, not a lot of people in this country get to a chance to do, and to be able to do something I have a passion for, and in my home community. It’s an incredible opportunity,” said Bears Head Coach Mark Snyder.
The opportunity to get two years to build a program seems like a lot of time, but time moves faster than you can imagine when creating a legacy from the ground up.
Coach Snyder and his crew have been on the road since the start of August. Together, visiting nearly every high school in a 100-mile radius of SSU. Going together as a coaching staff is rare for recruiting, and not only did it get the Bears noticed, it helped spread awareness of the University in places like Columbus, Cincinnati, Indiana, and Kentucky where students may not be as familiar with Shawnee State.
“By the time we leave the entire school knows about Shawnee State University,” said Snyder.
Locally, the reception has been incredible. Every Friday Shawnee State coaches were scouting at local games. Building the foundation includes creating a team with players from this region. Catching the eye of a Division II scout may not have been a reality before, but for some players, competing in NCAA Division II is now an attainable goal.
“It’s been unbelievable the reception we have had in this community, and with the football coaches and schools. I knew it was going to a big deal, but it has exceeded my expectations.”
The coaching staff has spent a lot of time, hours, and miles on the road this fall, going as far as Kansas to visit junior colleges. It’s those junior college and prep players that are expected to be among the first signing class in Shawnee State history in December. Then in February, Snyder and his crew look to pick up their first class of high school signees. The first of many. By the time they take the field in 2028 there will have been four recruiting classes, a strong foundation to build a lasting legacy. Something Snyder says everyone is excited to support.
“We need this level of football in southern Ohio. We will be giving opportunity in this area not just for players, but for the community to have a team to come together and rally around.”