Bill Snyder recipient of Alumni Association’s 2020 Flinchbaugh Family Wildcat Pride Award
Hall of Fame football coach Bill Snyder is the epitome of Wildcat Pride. The legendary coach has more than 200 wins and is known as the architect of the "greatest turnaround in college football history." Furthermore, he did it twice. Because of Snyder's commitment to Kansas State University, the K-State Alumni Association has named him the recipient of the 2020 Flinchbaugh Family Wildcat Pride Award.
Each year, the K-State Alumni Association presents the Flinchbaugh Family Wildcat Pride Award to a current or emeritus K-State faculty or staff member for his or her advocacy of alumni relations, with a special emphasis on support and participation in alumni programs that engage members of the Wildcat family.
Snyder, a retired Hall of Fame football coach and special ambassador for K-State Athletics, has been committed to Kansas State University, the Manhattan and Kansas communities since his arrival in 1989. Serving in two stints, first from 1989 to 2005 and then again from 2009 to 2018. During his time with the Wildcats he led teams to more than 200 wins and 19 bowl games.
Snyder has also supported the community through his work with the Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program, the Kansas Mentors Council, Kansas Leadership Center, Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Terry C. Johnson Cancer Research Center and the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation. Snyder's 16 Goals for Success has become a part of the culture for K-State and its alumni and supporters.
Over the years, Snyder has contributed to the prestige of the university, and he has also been a loyal friend to the K-State Alumni Association. Whether it's speaking at bowl pep rallies or promoting Alumni Association membership, Snyder has been a long-time supporter of the Alumni Association's mission to connect K-Staters.
Snyder received his B.A. from William Jewell in 1963 and his M.A. from Eastern New Mexico in 1965. He began his coaching career in 1964 at Indio High School in California. He also coached at Santa Ana Foothill High School, Austin College, North Texas and the University of Iowa.
He is the 2020 recipient of the Bear Bryant Lifetime Achievement Award and many more coaching accolades. He has also been recognized nationally for his longstanding commitment to meeting needs of young people in Kansas.
Snyder was awarded the 2015 Excellence in Mentoring Award by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership in recognition of his longstanding commitment to meeting the mentoring needs of young people in Kansas.
"Coach Snyder left K-State a better university because of his caring qualities," said Amy Button Renz '76, '86, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. "The countless hours he put in behind the scenes have helped guide our university to greater successes and in doing so has energized our alumni base. Through his involvement he has helped the Alumni Association increase its outreach efforts and built new connections to K-Staters. He has always had a strong ability to make personal and lasting connections with everyone he meets, not just K-Staters."