March 25, 2002
TEMPE, Ariz. -- After 13 seasons, 201 career wins and six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, Arizona State University head volleyball coach Patti Snyder-Park has made the decision that the 2002 season will be the her last at the helm of the program. As announced by ASU Athletic Director Gene Smith today, Snyder-Park informed the team Friday of her plans to end her coaching career after 14 years at ASU.
The search for a successor will begin immediately. The announcement now will allow Smith and his staff to have a full year to conduct a thorough search for the replacement of Snyder-Park.
"Patti Snyder-Park has been an invaluable asset to our athletic program over the last 13 years and she will dearly be missed by everyone associated with the program," said Smith. "We respect her decision and value all the good she has done for this program."
Snyder-Park and husband John have three children, Sydney Charlysee (7), Samuel Lysle (5) and Sophia Rae (1).
Citing that the balance between family and coaching was her main reason for ending her coaching career, Snyder-Park views her decision as one that is only fair to the program and to the great student-athletes that deserve better.
"For the past three or four years and after my third child I have had to compromise my position as a parent and as a coach and I've come to realize that I have to make a choice," said Snyder-Park. "This program deserves someone who can devote full attention to it 24-7. It deserves someone who can take it to the next level. For me, it is time for a change. This program will be able to attract a top coach because it is a great program."
Added Snyder-Park on the balance between family and coaching, "I had a very difficult time with the quality of time that I was giving both my team and my family. I felt that I was not doing either job well because of the many compromises involved with travel, recruiting and just the hours that this job demands. I am only being fair to my family and to this program with the decision."
Coaching in arguably the toughest volleyball conference in the nation, Snyder-Park has a 201-169 career record and was twice-named the Pac-10 Coach of the Year since taking over the program in 1989. Her teams made six appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including a string of four straight from 1992-95. Even more impressively, here teams have set an academic standard that has had 29 student-athletes earn Academic All-Pac-10 status and seven earn the distinction of Academic All-American. She has also served as the mentor to some of ASU's most outstanding players, with Amanda Burbridge and Christine Garner earning All-American status under her tutelage.
"The administration has been incredible over my 13-plus years at Arizona State and I deeply thank Gene Smith and his staff for being so supportive and understanding with the timing of my decision," added Snyder-Park. "ASU has been nothing but a wonderful experience for me and I know I will miss coaching, the players and all the friends, but it's time. It is time for a change."
Prior to arriving at Arizona State in 1989, Snyder-Park was an assistant coach at Cal. A strong member of the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association), she was also an assistant coach at her alma mater (Portland State) in 1982. In addition to starring for four years at PSU, she also played professionally for the New York Liberties of Major League Volleyball in 1988.
The Sun Devils are coming off a 10-16 season in 2001 and will return all but one player for Snyder-Park's final season at the helm of the Maroon and Gold. ASU opens play at the South Carolina Invitational in early September.
The Patti Snyder-Park Era: (1989-2001)
Year Record Pac-10 1989 13-21 8th 1990 19-16 5th 1991 14-12 6th 1992 23-8 4th 1993 20-8 2nd 1994 18-10 4th 1995 19-8 4th 1996 9-15 8th 1997 13-16 8th 1998 11-14 5th 1999 14-13 5th 2000 18-12 5th 2001 10-16 7th Totals 201-169 106-128