Christian Heritage Academy sophomore Slate Snider is trying to live up to high expectations on both the football field and basketball court. Expectations come with the family name.
“I’m hoping to make my name proud. Being born a Snider comes with some big shoes to fill,” Snider said. “Heck, I’m still young. I’ve got two more big years to really leave my mark.”
Snider’s great-grandfather, Lee Snider, coached at Oklahoma State, and Bixby’s field is named after him.
His grandfather, Gary Snider, played at Oklahoma State and became a legendary high school football coach. He was inducted into the Tulsa Union Hall of Fame and is a five-time state champion coach. His dad was a Defensive Player of the Year at Union High School.
His uncle, Zach Snider, was named Player of the Year in football for the state of Oklahoma and went on to play at the University of Arkansas. Another uncle, Luke Snider, was a two-time Special Teams Player of the Year at Tulsa University.
Snider’s father has been his biggest influence when it comes to athletics.
“There’s never a day that goes by where he’s not out in the backyard with me, throwing the ball, running routes, working on speed — you name it. He’s always there pushing me to get better,” said Snider, who plays in the post on the hardwood.
Snider plays on both sides of the ball in football. Over his first two years, he’s logged 127 tackles, five sacks, 41 quarterback pressures, five forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries, and seven pancakes. Snider hopes to extend his productivity on offense even further in 2025.
“I’m all about defense,” he said. “I usually play D-End, but sometimes my coaches switch it up and I play linebacker. Super grateful I had the chance to play both sides of the ball this season…just tried to help the team wherever I could. I’ve been working hard and I’m aiming to get some reps at tight end [next] season, if our offense allows for it. I think I can make an impact there.”
Snider’s life goal is outside of athletics.
“My life goal is to be a good and faithful servant of Jesus Christ,” he said. “One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 3:6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.’”
