July 15, 2013 (Jackson) - The Belhaven Department of Athletics is pleased to announce the addition of Caleb Snyder to the coaching staff. Snyder was selected as the head coach of the Blazers’ men and women track and field programs, which will compete in their inaugural seasons during the upcoming 2013-14 school year.
"I am grateful and blessed to have this opportunity to be a part of the Belhaven University athletics staff. I see a lot of potential to build a strong Track & Field program, and my goal is to be competitive at the national level while also giving the honor and glory to God," said Snyder.
Snyder arrives at Belhaven from Brewton-Parker College where he served as the head coach for track and field and cross-country programs during the 2012-13 seasons. Snyder is no stranger to building a program from the ground up, leading the Barons first ever track and field teams. Snyder other previous collegiate coaching stop was at Montreat College in North Carolina where he was an assistant track and field coach before being named as the school head coach.
"The hiring of a new head coach is always the most important decision in any sport and even more so as two brand new sports are being launched," said Belhaven Director of Athletics, Scott Little. "We are extremely excited that Caleb Snyder has accepted our offer to become Belhaven men and women track and field coach. Those who know him around the nation understand both his commitment to Christ and his commitment to student athlete success. Our campus community welcomes Caleb and his wife Lauren to the Blazer family."
Snyder was born in Zaire, Africa and was raised in a missionary family before they relocated to Winnebago, Illinois in 1996. Snyder graduated from Winnebago High School in 2005 before moving on to Ashford University in Clinton, Iowa. Snyder was a member of the Ashford track and field team and graduated in 2010 with a degree in Sports and Recreation Management.
Snyder adds,"The most important part of developing a new program is to start with a strong foundation of hard working, Christ-centered athletes, who understand their role in the classroom so this first recruiting class will be extremely important. Im excited to see what God has planned for this program and this University."
Belhaven University stands among select Christian colleges and universities and has been repeatedly named one of “America’s 100 Best College Buys." The University offers 30 academic majors across a full spectrum of disciplines as well as a variety of graduate programs. In addition, Belhaven has achieved the distinction of being among only 30 universities nationally accredited in each of the major arts – music, theatre, visual art and dance. All programs are taught from a Christian worldview perspective and are guided by the mission to prepare students academically and spiritually to serve Christ Jesus in their careers, in human relationships, and in the world of ideas.
Belhaven University serves over 3,700 students offering undergraduate and graduate degrees on its residential campus, an online degree program, and graduate and adult degree programs in Jackson, Memphis, Orlando, Houston, Chattanooga, and Atlanta.