Go back to where it all started: The creation of the Snyder Awards and the 1st winners

Just two weeks after sports editor James Snyder was killed in a car crash, the Centre Daily Times announced the creation of the awards that have honored his memory for 65 years.

The Jan. 6, 1958, front-page story, headlined “4 Scholarship Awards To Cite Snyder’s Memory,” said the James H. Snyder Memorial Trophies would be given to a graduating athlete at State College, Bellefonte, Bald Eagle and Penns Valley high schools starting in the spring. The CDT added Philipsburg-Osceola to the lineup in 1979 and Saint Joseph’s Catholic Academy in 2016.

“Requirements for the recipients of the trophies are rigid,” the story said. Award-winners must be lettermen “who have attained the highest scholastic averages among athletes. They must show qualities of leadership in general school affairs.” Recipients must also be involved in school activities besides sports.

Girls were first honored in 1974, and today, the county’s six high schools each honor a pair of student-athletes.

CDT representatives were quoted as saying the Snyder Awards were meant “to keep alive the memory of a man who was a friend to Centre County sports, and to perpetuate his ideals of academic achievement, good sportsmanship and well-rounded activities.”

Snyder had been CDT sports editor for a year and half before his death at age 26 and before that held the same position at the Lock Haven Express.

The Jan. 7, 1958, CDT included a commentary about the new awards from Paul Poorman, who preceded Snyder as the newspaper’s sports editor and moved over to the news staff when Snyder came aboard in 1956.

Poorman wrote that the awards were created to honor good athletes who are also good students, and more importantly, well-rounded students.

“If winning the trophy can become a real incentive in the four high schools, then perhaps these student athletes will be better men for their efforts. And if this happens, the purpose of the Jim Snyder trophy will have been realized.”

School officials, whose approval was needed, were enthusiastic about the awards, Poorman said. One was quoted as it would be an honor to have a role in giving out the trophy at his school.

Poorman wrote that the trophy could continue to inspire those who knew Snyder. “For those who did not know him, perhaps the annual award can help tell the story of a man whose fame would have spread if it had been given the time to do so.”

The first winners

Bald Eagle’s Bob Shiffler, 17, had the highest academic average among athletes in his class. He played football, basketball and baseball, and he was co-captain of the football and basketball teams. Off the field, he was involved in student council, band and chorus. He had gotten married the year before and also helped with chores at his parents’ farm in rural Howard. He credited his wife for pushing him to stay focused on his academic work and help him maintain good grades.

“I’m very proud to be the first boy from Bald Eagle to win the award. I know I couldn’t have done it without the help of all the coaches at the high school. They help keep you on the right path in your schoolwork as well as in sports,” he told the CDT.

Bellefonte’s Les McClellan had the distinction of being the very first winner to be announced. McClellan was the senior letterman with one of the highest academic rankings in his class. He played football, basketball and a year of baseball and was captain of the football team. He also served on the senior class Cabinet and was treasurer of the Varsity B Club. A typical day for McClellan started with school until 3:30 p.m. followed by practice until 6 and then a part-time job until 10 p.m. He praised football coach Bill Luther for teaching him about football and keeping him on track with his schoolwork.

“It’s a great honor to be the first boy from Bellefonte to win the award, and I think it’s a particularly good thing to shoot for because it makes you work harder at things which are just as important as sports,” he said.

Penns Valley’s Don Smith, 17, was the graduating senior letterman with the highest average among athletes in his class. He split his time among three sports and band and chorus. Smith played basketball and soccer, won a varsity letter in football, and was the scorekeeper for the baseball team for a year. He was also involved in Future Farmers of America, served as treasurer of his freshman and sophomore class and was on the yearbook staff.

“The award means more to me than anything I’ve ever received. It’s recognition for athletics but even more important it’s a reminder of some of the sacrifices you have to make to be an athlete and keep after the books,” he said.

State College’s Dick O’Connell, 17, had top grades among athletes in his class and was heavily involved in extracurriculars off the field. O’Connell focused on his studies in the fall and track and cross country in the spring. He was also a member of the band, orchestra, choir, Thespians and student council. His parents encouraged him in athletics but were there to redirect him toward his studies when needed. Sports were his biggest joy, but he realized academics were more important, he said.

“That’s why I think this is such a worthwhile award. It helps you keep in mind the important things and separate them from the things you might enjoy a little more,” he said.

The reaction

After all four winners had been announced, Paul Poorman, the former sports editor who became city editor and then news editor, wrote that “Jim Snyder would have liked the handsome quartet of young men.” Each was a solid member of his school’s athletic teams; each experienced triumph and defeat. The four were also successful in the classroom, a major requirement of the award: “developing brains to go with developed brawn.” Poorman wrote.

In letters to the editor published in late June, O’Connell and McClellan expressed their thanks for the award with both calling it a “great honor.” The CDT also published a thank you letter from Smith in July in which he said the award will encourage athletes to finish “a well-rounded education.” “The trophy is a fine tribute to Mr. Snyder, whose columns on the sports pages I enjoyed very much,” Smith wrote.