Catching Up with Chesapeake High Athletics

Chip Snyder, the athletic director for Chesapeake High School, looks ahead to the 2012 winter sports season and reflects on his 20 years at the school.

Pasadena Patch: How long have you been the athletic director at Chesapeake High School?
Chip Snyder: I have been the athletic director for eight years; but before that, I was the assistant athletic director for five years. I have been at Chesapeake High School for 20 years teaching physical education.

Pasadena Patch: What sports have you coached throughout your career?
Snyder: I am currently coaching football. I have done basketball, baseball and track as well. However, now that I am the athletic director, I don’t really have the time.

Pasadena Patch: What do you expect from Chesapeake High winter sports this year?
Snyder: The school has had a lot of changes this year. We brought on two new basketball coaches, a new wrestling coach and a new swimming coach. In some sports, a change was needed and, in others, a coach stepped down. For example, in boys basketball, it was time for a new coach. The former coach did a good job, but the wins just didn’t come. The new coach came in, brought a new staff and fresh ideas and it has worked so far; the kids and the community are really responding. My goal here is trying to build a community, not just a team, and it is working so far.

Pasadena Patch: What is your favorite Chesapeake High athletics memory?
Snyder: My favorite would have been when I coached baseball. We won the state title in 1997. It was probably one of the most rewarding experiences. It was a really great group of guys—not just the starters but the guys on the bench, too—it was a fun group to be around. That by far, was one of the most exciting experiences.

Pasadena Patch: What is one thing you think Chesapeake High athletics has that no else does?
Snyder: A great community. The parent involvement is excellent. Everybody kind of calls the community "the Dena," and this area down here is really unique and I like it a lot. I really enjoy the community and the involvement.