One of the few Calgarians to ever reach the professional ranks of lacrosse, Bob Snider is thrilled to be playing at home and giving back to his community.
We spoke with Snider about his brother, Elev8 Lacrosse and more.
On working alongside Geoff at Elev8:
“It’s a lot of fun. We started the program in 2007 and Geoff started it as a summer camp – I think there was about 120 kids. It’s turned into this year-round business for us. We’re always looking to venture into new coaching opportunities and grow the sport a bit in Calgary. The big thing that’s kicked off in the past year has been the Classroom Lacrosse program. We’ve got Curtis Dickson helping out and Dan Taylor from the [Saskatchewan] Rush helping out.”
“[Classroom Lacrosse] is actually how Geoff and I both started playing the game. We went to Captain John Palliser in the Northwest. A gentleman came in with lacrosse sticks and let us run around and we were hooked. Our dad didn’t want us to play lacrosse and didn’t want to be stuck in a hockey rink, but we made a career out of playing and now were doing some good stuff giving back and coaching. It’s good to be able to focus on our passion and do what we love to do.”
On facing Geoff in the faceoff circle:
“It wasn’t very fun at all.”
“We’re both very competitive and we were both doing our jobs, but he is one of the best faceoff guys to ever play the game. It was always a big challenge going up against Geoff, but I learned a lot about face-offs playing against him as well as having him in my corner. He really helps me out now that he’s retired. He’s giving me pointers and helping with strategies and skill and stuff like that.”
“Facing off against him, those were fun battles. We’d be very competitive with each other and I’d, for the most part, come out on the losing end of things. It’s an experience and something I’ll cherish for a long time.”
On the next toughest guy:
“It’s a good question. A lot of teams now are getting a good faceoff guy. The rules have changed the last couple of years, set calls are different, cadences are different and guys are really stepping into the role.”
“Jay Thorimbert comes to mind with New England, he’s the new record holder. Jeremy Thompson is another one, Jordan MacIntosh, the kid in Buffalo, Tim Edwards, and obviously Burton is really scrapping. Tyler Burton is a competitor and he does what he can for his team every time he’s out there. It’s fun working with him and helping each other out.”
On playing in his hometown:
“It’s awesome. When I got released by Colorado, my first thought was to get picked up by Calgary. I managed to get picked up and earn a practice roster spot. I played a few games last year but my season ended with an injury. Same thing this year, I earned a practice roster spot and got into a few games, but I’ve been in and out of the line-up.”
“Being here in my hometown, I’ve got a great thing going on with Elev8 and being involved in the community of Calgary is awesome. Playing in front of friends and family and even the kids we coach. It’s pretty cool to see the kids in the stands and be able to give them a high five. I think it’s pretty special for them to see their coaches out there competing every weekend.”
On who he watched most growing up:
“Not really at a younger age. We were kind of restricted just based on our location. We just played and I looked up to my brother as a younger player. I still look up to him. There’s no doubt that’s who I looked up to.”
“Playing in junior, I played for Curt Malawsky and he said, ‘Watch Pat Coyle play defence’. Pat was a real tough guy, hard to play against, but he was one of the top guys in the WLA and the NLL. Being able to play under him for a couple years in Colorado, I learned quite a bit. I really respect him as an athlete and a professional. I think he’d be one guy I looked up to in the junior ranks in Burnaby.”
On his favourite lacrosse memory:
“I think winning Minto Cups in Burnaby was always special. I played five or six years there and won three Minto Cups. The 2004-2005 Minto Cup was really important.”
On his pre-game rituals/routines:
“Being 31, I try to get as warmed up as possible. Try to get rested, get fluids during the week. Nothing superstitious, but I like to give everyone a high five on the way out.”
On which teammate is the funniest:
“Holy smokes, I don’t know. We’ve got a good little group. Everyone has their own little things and characteristics and gels pretty good. Dickson always gives me a good laugh. Scott Carnegie and I get into each others faces a bit and poke fun at one another. Berg is a pretty funny guy. Greg Harnett is good at coming in with some barbs, especially now to help keep the room light. We have a good group of guys that bring their own thing to the group.”
On facing Vancouver:
“I think we have to stick to our game plan. We’ve been playing some really good lacrosse lately. I’ve been out, but I’ve watched the guys compete and play and we’re playing some solid lacrosse. We’ve got to stick to our game plan. We know what they like to do, but we need to focus on us and what we can do as a group to be successful. Focus on our keystones of the game and just look to execute five minutes at a time on Saturday.”
On if a hot dog is a sandwich:
“No. It’s a hot dog.”
