College Sports Information Directors of America

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Steve Snapp, a member of the Ohio State Department of Athletics from July of 1973 through July of 2011 (38 years) died Thursday. He was 69.

During his career, Snapp worked more than 30 bowl games, traveled to two men's Final Fours with the Buckeyes and helped promote countless individual award candidates, including four Heisman Trophy winners. Additionally, he initiated the jersey retirement system to recognize former Ohio State athletes. Snapp won several national awards for his media guides and feature writing efforts.

Snapp graduated from The Ohio State University in 1973 with a B.A. in journalism. As a senior, he worked as a student assistant in the sports information office and was a former sports editor of the Lantern, the Ohio State student newspaper. Snapp began his career with the Ohio State Athletics Department in 1973 as an assistant sports information director.

In 1978, he was named associate sports information director, a position he held until 1987 when he became just the fourth sports information director in Ohio State history. In 1998, Snapp was named director of external programs. He returned to the media relations field in 2000 as director of Ohio State Athletics Communications. In 2003, he was named associate director of athletics for communications.

He most recently served as associate athletics director for broadcasting and senior advisor to the director of athletics.

In addition to overseeing Ohio State's association and the creation and launch of the innovative Big Ten Network, Snapp worked with all aspects of Ohio State's television and radio broadcasting agreements. He was responsible for football scheduling and worked closely with Ohio State vice president and director of athletics Gene Smith and head football coach Jim Tressel on football-related matters.

A native of Sidney, Ohio, and a U.S. Marine Corps and Vietnam veteran, he received an Honorary Varsity "O" in 2001. He served two tours in Vietnam in 1966, 1967 and was awarded two Purple Hearts, awarded to any member of the U.S. Armed Forces killed or wounded in an armed conflict.

Steve was revered nationally by countless media professionals, former student-athletes, athletics communications professionals, former athletics communications students and fellow sports information directors. A few have expressed their recollections below.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

"Steve Snapp's contribution to our great tradition and history is unparalleled. His service to our student-athletes was outstanding. He will be sorely missed."
--Gene Smith, Ohio State vice president and director of athletics

"Steve was an innovator and an icon in the sports information field, and a great friend who did so much for The Ohio State University sports program. He'll be missed."
--Archie Griffin, Ohio State's two-time Heisman Trophy winner and current Ohio State senior advisor in the OSU Office of Advancement

"Steve Snapp was a true Buckeye and a great ambassador for the Big Ten Conference. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult time."
--Jim Delany, Big Ten Conference commissioner

"Steve meant the world to those of us who benefitted from his guidance and mentorship while undergraduates at Ohio State. Our relationship spanned 38 wonderful years. We will miss our friend."
--Mark Rudner, Big Ten Conference senior associate commissioner

"Steve was an overwhelming supporter of my personal and professional life the last 17 years. He cherished the student-athletes, coaches and athletics department staff with an incredible passion. Our profession and The Ohio State University lost a pioneer, but more importantly a friend."
--Dan Wallenberg, Ohio State associate athletics director for communications

"Not only was Steve's presence around Ohio State Athletics a constant, but his enthusiasm and commitment went above and beyond. To say he will be missed doesn't do justice to those of us who knew him and worked with him."
--Paul Keels, The voice of the Buckeyes on WBNS Radio.

"Having worked with the Ohio State football and basketball radio broadcasts for almost 30 years now, Steve became much more than just a colleague and liaison, but a good friend. All the Buckeye memories we shared over the years will forever be overshadowed by his human side of always inquiring about and assisting with my Dad who suffers from the same rare condition that Steve dealt with for a long time. Steve's years of service to our country, Ohio State and those of us who worked closely with him will not be forgotten.All of Buckeye nation lost a good friend today. Semper Fi Snapper."
--Skip Mosic, director of network programming & affiliate relations, RadiOhio, Inc./WBNS Radio Columbus

"Steve was one of those throwback PR gurus who told you exactly what he thought. He was straightforward.And if you disagreed with him, then you had one great evening of entertainment to look forward to. He was the type of guy you could argue with then he would look you straight in the eye and say `Hey, where we going for dinner?' -- or an adult beverage. We had too much fun together to call it work--even leading up to and during the week leading up to the Michigan-Ohio State football game. Steve and I were contemporaries. And for those of us who knew Steve for all those decades today is difficult. My prayers are with Steve's family."
--Bruce Madej, retired Michigan associate athletic director, media relations

"I knew him for more than 35 years, and Steve was not just'Semper Fi' when it came to his days in the Marine Corps.He lived that credo to the hilt in his decades of association withOhio State.He reveled in the exploits especially of the football and basketball teams, he was instrumental in the Heisman Trophy campaigns of Eddie George and Troy Smith and he was thepoint man and defender in some of the athletic department's darkerhours. That he flew out against doctors' orders to be part of the Buckeyes' Fiesta Bowl trip in 2008 was no surprise. He said he knew it might be his last and he wasn't going to miss it."
--Tim May, Columbus Dispatch

"Steve Snapp was Ohio State Athletics. Everything Steve did was for the athletes and the University that he loved."
--Paul Spohn, sports director for WBNS 10TV Columbus

"Steve was a skilled, savvy professional who was a tremendous resource in my job. I'll never forget him trying to keep the rookie on course during my first Buckeye assignment at the Meadowlands in 1995. No one documented more Buckeye history than Steve and I'll miss those great stories he would share during a summer round of golf."
--Clay Hall, ABC-6/FOX-28 Columbus, Ohio

"Steve's death isa significant loss for the university.He always put Ohio State first and always tried to portray the school and its athletes in a positive light."
--Bob Hunter, Columbus Dispatch columnist

"Steve was an outstanding representative for Ohio State and the Big Ten, and I appreciated his leadership and guidance since joining the conference office nearly a decade ago. He will be missed."
--Scott Chipman, Big Ten Conference assistant commissioner-communications

"Steve and I came into the Big Ten about the same time. We've been witness to considerable changes over the last 40+ years. Now, we'll have to get used to things without him and it won't be easy. He was a professional, well-respected Sports Information worker, who represented his office and University with the highest level of competence and integrity."
--Phil Haddy, University of Iowa sports information director (emeritus)

"I'll always remember Steve for the way he welcomed a young sports information assistant attending his first Big Ten meeting more than 25 years ago. Even though Steve was already well established as one of the giants of the industry, he included me in conversations and the meetings like I was a veteran. Steve was a true professional and always went out of his way to make sure all of us, including the media, were able to do our jobs. Beyond that, Steve was a tremendous family man who will be greatly missed by many."
--Kent Brown, University of Illinois associate athletics director for media relations

"I always valued my professional relationship with Steve, but more than that, I valued our personal relationship. We came into the league at about the same time, so we knew each other for almost 45 years. While we had a passion in rooting for our own teams when we played each other, it never affected our personal friendship. Over the years, we each spent time at each other's house, so are wives became friends as well. I don't think there is anyone in the athletics profession who brought more good will to their school than what Steve brought to Ohio State. He was a true professional. I am deeply saddened but I will always cherish the memories I have of Steve."
--Kit Klingelhoffer, Indiana University assistant athletic director (retired)

"Steve was a consummate professional and a role model for many assistant directors and student assistants at Ohio State as well as Sports Information Directors throughout the nation. His background and insights about the Big Ten were important for me and our colleagues in the conference in private and group discussions on the myriad of changes that have occurred in athletic communications. Steve had a friendly, low-key demeanor, but he knew the right buttons to push during a challenging situation or promoting a member of the football team for a major award. Steve was a great ambassador for Ohio State and he will be missed by many."
--Jeff Nelson, Penn State University assistant athletic director-communications

"I was privileged to have known and worked with Steve Snapp for 30 years. Snapper, as we liked to call him, was one of the most knowledgeable, accommodating and straightforward athletics administrators with whom I've ever worked. His incredible talent and attitude made every Ohio State broadcast a special one. The collegiate community has lost one of its most treasured individuals and I have lost a wonderful friend."
--Steve Scheer, Fox Sports producer

"Steve was among the first people I met when I came to Columbus, and he immediately taught me what Buckeye football means to Central Ohio. Steve was tough, but fair, and always a great working partner. He was respected nationally for his work, and praised locally for his devotion to Ohio State. Losing "The Snapper" makes for a sad day for Buckeyes everywhere."
--Jerod Smalley, WCMH-TV Sports, Columbus

"No university has more fervent or loyal alums than Ohio State and Steve was at the top of that list. He served his country and his university with unmatched dedication and loyalty. We have all lost a good friend, but Steve left us with quite a legacy. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family at this time."
--Tom Hamilton, radio voice of the Cleveland Indians and Big Ten Network basketball commentator

"It is a sad day for The Steve Snapp family and all those who knew Steve. He was a brave and courageous warrior, not only for our country, but for The Ohio State University. Steve lead our sports publicity department with the same intensity, dedication, effort and sacrifice as though he was on the playing field himself. He battled long and hard for his University and we are deeply appreciative of all his many contributions. Steve will be greatly missed and I send my deepest sympathy to his family. To all the Snapp's, know that 'when there are no words ... know that the silences are carrying the thoughts and prayers of all who love you'." 
--Rex Kern, former Ohio State quarterback from 1968-70