Coming out of high school at Northwestern Lehigh, Conner Snyder was looking to continue to play football while also getting a good education. Millersville University offered both at a high level and it was hard to pass up.

“I felt like Millersville was the best opportunity for me both academically and athletically,” said Snyder. “It really gave me the best of both worlds and it was something I wanted to take advantage of.”

Snyder played in all 11 Marauder games this season and finished with a career-high 45 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. It was a breakout season for the redshirt-sophomore.

“I just trusted the process and the plan the coaches and (conditioning coach Kyle Regensburg) coach had for me on the field and in the weight room,” Snyder said. “It has been awesome to have an impact on the field. The defensive coaches have me in the right spot to make plays. I still have more to improve on, but I am enjoying being on the field.”

The Marauders, which have a roster featuring a dozen Lehigh Valley-area players, finished their season 5-6 overall and 5-3 in the PSAC, the most wins in a season for the program since 2006. It is a huge turnaround for a team that has averaged in between 2-3 wins since then.

“This team fights. We always go 100 miles per hour,” Snyder said. “It has been nice to improve the program but like what (head coach JC Morgan) says: what we’ve done this season isn’t the ultimate goal. The guys on this team want to get Millersville back to being a championship program and we’re working for that every day. I think this season has set us up very well for future seasons.”

Being a student-athlete at Northwestern has helped him shape his athletic and academic prowess.

“My time at Northwestern was nothing short of amazing, the community there is unmatched,” said Snyder. “I learned so much as a player and a person growing up there, I think the football coaches, especially Dave Kerschner had the biggest impact on me as mentors at Northwestern showing me how to mature as a man and a player which has prepared me for the college level. I also have forged lifelong friendships at Northwestern. I’ll always look back on the memories I have. Especially the ones intertwined with football with guys like Deven Bollinger, Derek Holmes, Hayden Bobbyn, Nick Henry, Justin Holmes and Derek Hebelka. Northwestern and especially Tiger Football will always hold a special place in my heart.”