UW-Sheboygan Foundation establishes the Jack Snyder Memorial Fund

UW-Sheboygan Foundation establishes Jack Snyder Memorial Fund
Fund honors late Athletics Director

As a result of the generosity of donors from all over the state and the Sheboygan community, the University of Wisconsin-Sheboygan Foundation, Inc., has established the Jack Snyder Memorial Fund to honor the late UW-Sheboygan Athletics Director, Coach and Professor John “Jack” Snyder.

Snyder, 68, died unexpectedly on December 26, 2009, of an apparent heart attack in his sleep. Snyder was best known as the man who molded the UW-Sheboygan men’s basketball team into a fierce competitor in the Wisconsin Collegiate Conference in the 1970s and 1980s. Snyder joined UW-Sheboygan as the campus’ first Director of Athletics in 1969 and served in that capacity until his retirement in 2001. During his tenure as a Professor of Physical Education on the campus and the Athletics Director, Snyder coached numerous varsity sports teams, including men’s basketball, cross country, golf and tennis in addition to his teaching and administrative duties.

Snyder’s family has selected three charities to collect memorial donations in the wake of Snyder’s death, including the UW-Sheboygan Foundation. Over the years, Snyder was an avid supporter of Foundation fundraisers, including the annual scholarship fundraiser, Chicken & All That Jazz. Each year, Snyder volunteered extensively at the event coordinating grilling operations, working side-by-side with his former student-athletes. He was an avid supporter of the campus and its students and consistently called his days at UW-Sheboygan a “labor of love.”

A committee of UW-Sheboygan Foundation board members, UW-Sheboygan retired faculty, current UW-S faculty and staff and alumni has been developed – in coordination with the Snyder family -- to review funding options for Jack Snyder Memorial Fund donations.

Several anonymous donors have offered the Snyder family a match of all donations made to the UW-Sheboygan Foundation fund up to $15,000.

“The generosity of these donors leaves us at a loss of for words,” said Carrie Hoppe, UW-Sheboygan Foundation executive director. “Jack was such a wonderful man who obviously has touched this community – and these donors – in a very powerful way. We are honored that the family has entrusted the UW-Sheboygan Foundation with a memorial fund in his name and that these matching funds are available. We hope to make Jack proud and keep his legacy and memory alive for future generations of students.”

Over the coming months, the Foundation will continue to accept donations in Snyder’s honor in an effort to reach – or exceed – the $15,000 match threshold. A decision on the project(s) to be supported with fund donations will be announced in coming months. All donations are tax deductible.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the UW-Sheboygan Foundation Jack Snyder Memorial Fund can send donations to the UW-Sheboygan Foundation, One University Drive, Sheboygan, WI 53081. All checks should be made payable to the UW-Sheboygan Foundation. Donors are also asked to note “Jack Snyder Memorial” in the check memo section.

For more information on the UW-Sheboygan Foundation, the Jack Snyder Memorial Fund or giving options, contact Hoppe at (920) 459-6612 or e-mail carrie.hoppe@uwc.edu.

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