Spotlight On Head Coach Brandan Snook
By Chelsey VolantSports Information Student Assistant
Brandan
Snook is the head coach of Alma College’s men’s tennis team and is also
an Associate Director of Admissions. He assumed head coach
responsibilities three years ago. A football and tennis player at
Albion College, Snook earned his Bachelor of Science degree in
psychology from Central Michigan University in 2001. What are your goals for the upcoming season?
"For the entire team to become better players, but most important to become better individuals. We have a young team and they will have to hit the ground running to open the season. Our Florida trip should allow us a look at how we’ll fare in the MIAA and I believe that we have some true talent that can excel on the court this year."
What is your motto that you and your team live by? How does it help to motivate you?
“The next shot is more important than the last mistake.” It helps them to focus on what their next shot will be and how to overcome a mistake rather than dwell on what they didn’t do and what didn’t go quite how they wanted. Playing at this level means you have to be strong mentally and that’s really what we’re trying to teach. "
Why did you choose to coach at Alma?
"I had already built a good report with the College and I was familiar with Alma’s athletic programs. I really want to build a strong program here and I believe we have the tools necessary to excel."
What was your best experience while playing sports?
"I would have to say the camaraderie with other teammates. Another experience was learning from each of the different players on the team as well as the coaches. Literally being a part of a team – practice, games – was the best part of my experience as a student-athlete."
If you could change one thing about your past in athletics, what would it be and why?
"How I should have made the most out of the time I had as a player. You only realize in hindsight how much better you could have been with just a little more effort. That’s why I enjoy coaching so much, trying to share that knowledge of making the most of your time as a student-athlete in college."
How did you know you wanted to coach tennis?
"I was working with a summer tennis program in Greenville and that opportunity allowed me to realize that, although I was working hard, it turned out that it didn’t really feel like work."
What got you interested in athletics?
"Well-being at a young age was the main reason and sports were a good way for my dad and I to connect on a father/son basis."
What was your worst experience playing sports?
"Probably my knee injury my sophomore year in high school. "
What is the greatest feeling you get when playing tennis or sports in general?
"The control and freedom of whatever you want to do can happen, because you are the one reacting to the moment."
Do you think your life would be different if you had not played sports? Why?
"Absolutely. Not having sports as a part of my life would have changed the choices that I made for college, the people that I have met, what my career would have been and the fact that I would probably be overweight and unhealthy at this point [laughs].”
Posted: Tue, February 8th, 2005 at 11:06PM
