Snow hired as sixth women’s basketball coach in history

There will be a transition in leadership for the women’s basketball program at McMurry. But for many at the institution, the change won’t be unfamiliar. Athletic Director Bill Libby named former assistant coach and assistant athletic director Veronica Snow the sixth head women’s basketball coach in school history Monday ending a two-week vacancy.

Snow spent five seasons as an assistant to former head coach Sam Nichols – who retired April 19. During those five years, Snow helped guide the team to a 79-50 record and was a part of McMurry’s only trip to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2000. She also served as McMurry’s senior woman’s administrator and the assistant to the athletic director.

During the 2000 season, McMurry set a then-school record for 24 wins and had only five losses. Snow helped develop several all-conference players including Oganna Merritt who was also an all-American. Libby and the hiring committee were convinced that Snow was right for the job not only for her experience with basketball, but with education as well.

“She was selected because of her experience as a coach and her thinking about athletics and academics,” said Libby. “She made a powerful presentation about McMurry University and its athletic programs and her desire to be a part of that.”

Snow’s academic resume is impressive. She received an associate’s degree at Wyavatai College in Prescott, Ariz. before earning a bachelor’s degree at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene in 1987. She followed with a master’s degree in 2000 in sports and recreation management from HSU. Most recently, she earned her doctorate of sports management in the summer of 2006 from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, Ala.

She’s spent the past six years at Hardin-Simmons where she was an assistant professor of fitness and sports sciences. Her only head coaching experience came from 1993-1996 where she served Merkel High School as the girl’s varsity basketball coach. She was also an assistant under Nichols at Abilene High School from 1987-1993.

When Nichols retired from McMurry April 19, Snow said applying for the job was a no-brainer. “I have a love for McMurry, I absolutely love the place,” said Snow. “When I was there it was a special place because of the people who worked there and the students. And I have a passion for basketball – I have since I was young and the opportunity to get back into the sport is a dream come true.” Snow will inherit a solid core of players and a program that has made two-straight NCAA Tournament appearances. In the past two seasons, McMurry compiled a 50-8 record, won its first outright ASC West Division title in 2005-2006 and was the ASC Tournament champion in 2006.

The 2007-2008 squad will be without one of the most decorated players in the history of McMurry women’s basketball as Symbri Tuttle graduates in May. She is the school and the ASC’s all-time leader in assists. She also finished her career third on the NCAA Division III all-time assists list with 745. However, Snow will get to watch three-time all-American Tarra Richardson play her senior year.