Fairmount State head swimming and diving coach Patrick Snively has been named the athletic director at Wheeling University, both schools announced Tuesday.
Snively also served as Fairmount State’s Senior Associate Director of Athletics, an outgrowth of his work for 20 seasons as a head men’s and women’s swimming coach. He is the longest serving head swim coach in the state of West Virginia, according to Fairmount State. Snively added the associate AD position in 2018, with a role in coach leadership development, strategic planning, fundraising and diversity/inclusion programs.
“Serving as the head swimming coach at my alma mater for two decades has been one of the greatest sources of joy and pride in my life,” Snively said in a Fairmount State release. “I wouldn’t trade any of my experiences as a student-athlete, assistant coach, head coach, staff member, faculty member, or administrator here for anything. Each experience has prepared me well for this next step.
“Fairmont State has given me so much. I received a great education. I met the love of my life. I found gainful employment that I loved in a community that I love. I worked with many great student-athletes and colleagues. And now that I am taking a leap of faith to a new opportunity, I feel I have given Fairmont State and this community my best in return and I hope the culture and team-above-self atmosphere we’ve created within the swimming program will carry on for years to come.”
At Wheeling (formerly Wheeling Jesuit), he will oversee the entire department, starting on Jan. 4.
“Patrick Snively’s leadership and range of experience will be great assets as we build on the success of our student-athletes and our programs’ competitiveness,” Wheeling president Ginny R. Favede said in a statement. “He is the right leader at the right time to lead our Cardinals into the future. …
“I was impressed by the amount of interest in this position and know our department is in good hands with Patrick taking the reins. This process was extensive and demonstrated great collaboration between numerous individuals, and across the University.”
Both schools compete in the Division II Mountain East Conference.
Snively, a 1999 graduate of Fairmount State, led the Falcons to the MEC women’s championship for the first time in 2018, tutoring the conference’s men’s and women’s swimmer of the year plus the women’s freshman of the year. He was named MEC coach of the year. He has coached 26 All-American performances.
Nine times, Snivley has recognized with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Certificate of Excellence and was named the WVIAC men’s swimming coach of the year in 2005. Snively was named to the College Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) Board of Directors in June and was a member and later chairperson for the NCAA Division II Swimming & Diving Committee. He has also been a part of numerous charitable causes in the Fairmount State community.
“I am truly honored and excited to become Wheeling University’s next Director of Athletics,” Snively said. “I always knew that if I was ever to seek out a new opportunity at another institution after investing two decades at my alma mater it would need to be at a really special place. I know in Wheeling, I’ve found that place.
“I am grateful that President Favede has faith in me to lead this department. Through this process, I have found her to be a dynamic leader with a great deal of compassion. She loves the institution and it is apparent. I look forward to working with her to build a better Wheeling University.”
Snively’s departure is effective Dec. 31. Sabrina Buhagair will lead Fairmount’s swimming program on an interim basis.
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