Pat Snively returns to Fairmont State as the head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming programs following a season serving in an interim capacity, bringing with him a distinguished career in coaching and athletic administration. A Fairmont State alumnus, Snively began his coaching career as a student assistant under Ed Denny before advancing to assistant coach and ultimately taking over as head coach in 2001. He led the program for nearly two decades, achieving remarkable success before transitioning to athletic administration in 2020.
"It gives me great pleasure to welcome Pat Snively back to Fairmont State Athletics, as our head coach of Men's and Women's Swimming," Director of Athletics, Greg Bamberger said upon Snively’s hire. "Pat's extensive career in coaching and athletic administration made this decision pretty simple. I look forward to working together with Coach Snively to bring our programs back to regional and national prominence."
Snively served as the director of athletics at Wheeling University and later at Davis & Elkins College before returning to Fairmont as the president of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce. His deep connection to Fairmont State and passion for developing student-athletes have brought him back to the pool deck, where he is committed to building upon the successes of the past and positioning the program for new levels of success within the conference and on the national stage.
Throughout his coaching tenure, Snively’s teams set 91 school records and earned 26 NCAA All-American honors. His swimmers garnered eight National Swimmer of the Week accolades and eleven Conference Swimmer of the Year awards. Under his leadership, Fairmont State claimed the men’s West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference Championship in 2005 and the women’s Mountain East Conference Championship in 2018. Recognized twice as Conference Coach of the Year, Snively also contributed significantly to the sport on a national level, serving on the College Swimming and Diving Coaches Association (CSCAA) Board of Directors, the NCAA Division II National Championships Committee, and the CSCAA NCAA Division II Polling Committee. His efforts were instrumental in implementing a new national championship qualification procedure in 2017-18, enhancing the depth and competitiveness of the event.
A Level V coach with the American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA), Snively has received ASCA’s Certificate of Excellence eight times. His impact extends beyond the pool, having served Fairmont State in various capacities, including as an instructor in the Physical Education Department, interim director of sports information, compliance officer, and senior associate director of athletics.
In addition to his contributions to collegiate athletics, Snively has been an active leader in the Marion County community. He and his wife, Amy, co-chaired the United Way of Marion and Taylor Counties’ annual campaign in 2020, raising over $500,000 for local service organizations. Additionally, Snively serves on the boards of several community and corporate organizations, including Main Street Fairmont and the Fairmont Federal Credit Union.
Snively holds a degree in Architecture and an MBA from Fairmont State, as well as a master’s in physical education from West Virginia University. He and Amy, who serves as Fairmont State’s director of alumni relations, reside in Fairmont.
PATRICK SNIVELY CAPSULE
Previous Experience
2024-2025: President, Marion County Chamber of Commerce
2021-2023: Director of Athletics, Davis & Elkins College
January 2021-July 2021: Director of Athletics, Wheeling University
2001-20: Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach, Fairmont State University
2018-20: Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Fairmont State University
2013-18: Associate Director of Athletics for NCAA Compliance, Fairmont State University
2001-14: Physical Education Instructor, Fairmont State University
2000-2001: Assistant Men's and Women's Swimming Coach, Fairmont State University
Education
2014: Master of Business Administration, Fairmont State University
2000: Master of Science in Athletic Coaching Education, West Virginia University
1999: Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering, Fairmont State University
