Locals speak out in support of former wrestling coach

WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, OHIO — A good-sized group of citizens, most of them affiliated with the Washington High School wrestling program, came to the Washington City Schools Board of Education meeting Monday, Aug. 26, to speak in support of former boys’ assistant wrestling coach Craig Snyder.

There were approximately 40 guests on hand.

When it came time for the guests to speak, a total of 14 persons stood up in front of the board, gave their names and addresses and spoke to the board, each for roughly two to three minutes.

Earlier this month, Snyder was informed that he would not be offered a contract for the 2024-25 season.

All supplemental positions — coaches, club advisors, etc. — are hired on a one-year basis, are non-renewed at the end of the school year, and must be rehired annually.

Snyder’s contract, along with those of all coaches, concluded at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

When asked by the Record-Herald why Snyder was not offered a contract for the 2024-25 school year, the Washington Court House City School District released a statement: “We are committed to ensuring that our coaches, along with all staff, align with the culture we are building within our district and athletic programs. As part of this commitment, we are thoroughly vetting all potential hires against this standard to ensure we select the best candidates for our students each year.”

Washington High School sophomore Wesley Gibbs was the first to speak at the meeting.

“Craig has been in my corner for eight seasons,” Gibbs said. This would date back to his days in the youth program, Court House Cobras.

“He’s picked me up for extra practices,” Gibbs said. “He coached me past my limit and exceeded my limit, which made me a better wrestler, but also a better person.

“In school and in society, today we are taught to fight for the greater good,” Gibbs said. “We are here tonight for the greater good of our team.”

Next to speak was one of the most successful wrestlers in Washington High School history, Lyndyn Gibbs, who enters her senior season with a record of 134-10. Gibbs has won 17 tournament titles and has over 100 career pins.

“Craig has been there for me since I was 11 years old,” Gibbs said. “That means for six years he has seen me grow and change my life for the better.

“As a high school athlete, I have experienced burnout,” Gibbs said. “I have experienced not wanting to do my favorite sport. And I have experienced bad practices and meets.

“The two people who were there when I needed them most were my dad (girls head wrestling coach Wes Gibbs) and Craig,” Gibbs said. “He made every moment of my wrestling career count. The only time I felt most comfortable and confident is when I have both of them in my corner.

“I feel better trained when both of them are in the room and I feel like I have a better outcome whenever they both are there for me,” Gibbs said. “I really couldn’t imagine continuing on with my wrestling career without him for my senior year.

“Coach Snyder always had our best interest at heart,” Washington senior Jake Bashor said. “He wanted us to give everything we had. It didn’t matter if we won or lost, he was proud of us if we gave it our all.

“This is my last year wrestling for the Blue Lions as a senior,” Bashor said. “A lot of us would like Coach Snyder to help us get ready for the State tournament.”

“I’m very grateful to have coach Snyder in my children’s corner,” said Bryana Gibbs, mother of Lyndyn and Wesley Gibbs.

“It’s not even wrestling that he helps you out with,” senior Brendan Peters said. “He helps you out with your life. He’s taken me to tournaments that my dad couldn’t take me to because he was in the hospital.

“The past two summers we (worked out, trained) two days a week,” Peters said. “That was on his time. We all think good about Craig; everybody thinks good about Craig.”

Snyder’s girlfriend, Jacque Taylor, gave a few of her thoughts.

“I have witnessed, first-hand, over the past three years that I have been in his life the amount of time, effort and money he has dedicated to wrestling and coaching these kids,” Taylor said. “He doesn’t do any of this for recognition. He does it solely for the kids in the community.

“You can see for yourself what an impact he has had on these children just by taking a look around the room,” Taylor said. “Not only is our family here to support him, but so are the wrestlers, their parents, members of the community and wrestlers and parents from other school districts.

“This speaks high volume on Craig’s character and what a vital role he plays in the wrestlers’ lives,” Taylor said. “The kids depend on Craig and look to him for guidance. He’s not only teaching wrestling, he’s teaching the kids the skills they need to be the best version of themselves, on and off the mat.

Taylor concluded her remarks by saying, “I pray that you reconsider the decision and allow Craig to continue to coach.”

“I stand before you, not just as a daughter, but as someone who has witnessed, first hand, the impact my dad has had on the many lives in the wrestling community,” said Heavyn Snyder. “Wrestling isn’t just a sport for my dad, it’s a way of life. He has poured his heart and soul into coaching, often putting the needs of his athletes before his own.

“His commitment to his team has always been about more than just winning matches,” Snyder said. “It’s about shaping character, building confidence and teaching the values of hard work and perseverance. Wrestling is a sport like no other — it demands discipline, mental toughness and resilience — qualities that are not just useful on the mat, but in every aspect of life.

“My dad has always believed in these values and has worked tirelessly to instill them in every athlete he has coached,” Snyder said. “But, he has been more than just a coach — he has been a mentor, a role model and a guiding figure for countless athletes.

“This isn’t just about my dad,” Snyder said. “It’s about every wrestler who has been inspired by his words. My dad has always taught me to stand up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult and today, I’m standing up for him.”

Snyder then presented the board with a petition signed by persons who support the coach and want him to continue coaching Blue Lion wrestling.

Finally, it was Craig Snyder’s turn to address the board.

“Some of the stuff people said, it’s a little overwhelming,” Snyder said. “I started out wrestling here. I wrestled for Mr. (Rodger) Mickle when I was about five years old. I started with him.

“Then I went in the military for 20 years,” Snyder said. “I came back here and I was having a lot of trouble integrating back into civilian life. I’m used to military life and I don’t understand a lot of the stuff that goes on.

“But, I met Wes and I met Bry and I started working with the kids and I realized, this is something I can do,” Snyder said. “This is something I could do to help the community. This is something I could do to help the kids.

“I just do it because I love it,” Snyder said. “I don’t like recognition. I’d rather be at open mats right now working with the kids. I really want to coach these kids. I love these kids. I’ve been with them for years. I’ve forged bonds with them that I don’t think anybody else is going to be able to.

“I just want to continue coaching,” Snyder said. “That’s all I ask. That’s why I’m here. I’m from here and I just want to contribute. I want to help us put out kids into the community that are going to be responsible. We teach respect, integrity. A lot of the things I learned in the military.

“That’s all I ask,” Snyder said. “I’d like for you to reconsider allowing me to continue training with my family, my group of kids. I appreciate your time. Thank you.”