Coach Snipes directing the track team during a meet. Photo Credit: JP PORTRAITS
BY A.J. KURZMAN
Anyone who plays a sport knows the importance of running. Staying in shape and speed are keys to succeeding in every sport, and for track and field kids, it is the only skill necessary to succeed. Luckily for our track team, new coach head coach Terry Snipes knows all about success.
“I’ve been teaching in Broward for 32 years. As far as track goes, I’ve trained men in the Middle East and have won Broward County Track Coach of the Year,” Snipes said.
Snipes’ passion for track and field originated in High School. He was on the track team and although he wasn’t the best runner, he immediately developed a connection to the sport. Snipes enjoys track because it is simple in regards to the fact that there are no judges, just an individual against the clock. It wasn’t until he became a teacher later on in life that he realized that he wanted to get back with the sport he grew up with. Snipes started out as a football coach but he then converted over to track as well as cross country. Because of all the great athletes Snipes has had, his coaching reputation skyrocketed. As soon as the old track coach left midway through the season for an opportunity at Everglades, it was Snipes who was selected to fill the empty position.
“I have been fortunate enough to have kids who even won a number of state championships. Talented athletes make you look like a brilliant coach,” Snipes said.
As far as the future for Cooper City track, the position may be open once again next year because Snipes was a midseason hire and his position is not locked in for next year, even though he’d love to return. The program as a whole is in great hands according to Snipes.
“This school is so lucky in having Mr. Nichols, Mrs. Flores and Mrs. Austin, because the truth is they are the reason the program here is still going. They are the ones that have kept it going and anyone of them would be a fantastic head coach and this school or any school would be lucky to have them,” Snipes said.
If everything works out and Snipes returns next year, he has an interest in coaching for the football team as well so he can get the players to understand that they need to learn to be better runners, and be part of the track team in order to become better football players. Another main goal of his is to make sure the track program stays strong here at Cooper City.
““I want to make sure that the middle school kids who will be 9th graders are part of the program when they get here and to keep the great kids that are with the program this year,” Snipes said.
Whether its full sprints or long distance conditioning, you’ll find the track team out there working hard and giving it their all every time they step on that track.
““Winning is not coming in first place, winning is doing better each time you compete,” Snipes said. “Then with luck the person may begin to win titles.”
