OC Education alumnus named to the Edmond Public Schools Hall of Fame

Tom Snider retired with many honors as the athletic director of Edmond North High School.

Tom Snider is a well-known, retired secondary teacher, coach and athletic director in the  Edmond community. He spent the majority of his career coaching at Edmond North High School as the athletic director, more than 41 years in Edmond alone. Because of his impressive career, Snider was recently named to the Edmond Public Schools Hall of Fame. 

The Hall of Fame honor followed his many previous awards: 2006-2007 OCA Region 8 Athletic Director of the Year; 2018 Oklahoma Track Coaches Hall of Fame; 2019 Tom Westbrook Distinguished Service Award (Athletic  Director); 2021 Region 8 Athletic Director of the Year; 2021Oklahoma Coaches Association Athletic Director of the Year; and 2021 UCO Endeavor Games Hall of Fame. 

Under Snider’s time as athletic director, Edmond North teams won 68 state championships and more than 100 conference and regional championships. While the awards were nice, the work itself is what motivated him in his career.

“It has not only been a job, but a lifestyle,” Snider said in a story on the Edmond Public Schools website. “I never dread walking in the front door for work.” Colleagues recognized Snider’s success and admired his character. In the same story, Kent Douglas, Edmond North assistant athletic director, praised Snider’s authentic dedication to his students.

"I think the world of Tom and all of the amazing things he has done for me and our students,” said Douglas. "The Tom Snider you see is the Tom Snider you get.”

In retirement, Snider and his wife, Rita, will stay busy helping with the construction of the new building for the Heritage Church of Christ in Edmond, spending more time with his grandchildren and restoring classic cars.