Coach: Dan Snyder

High school: Arapahoe

Sport: boys hoops

What sports did you play when you were younger?

My two favorite sports when I was a little boy were baseball and basketball. I played both of those sports up through high school, and then I played basketball for one year in college.

What got you started in a coaching career?

I always had an interest in coaching because some of my coaches were very positive influences in my life. I was a youth coach for many years before I began coaching at the high school level.

What was your most rewarding moment(s) as a coach?

I particularly enjoy the daily interaction with the players. It is very rewarding to be a part of their lives and to see them develop as young men and athletes. The student athletes at Arapahoe are truly wonderful kids that come from great families. I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to work with these young men.

What was your most deflating moment(s)?

Losing in the playoffs is a tough way to end the season, but since only one team will eventually win the state championship, all the other playoff teams end up with a loss to close out their season. Those are difficult moments, but I think with time we are able to look back at a season and realize how successful and enjoyable it was regardless of how it ended.

What is most important about having sports a part of the high school experience?

I think high school sports help prepare the participants for many of the ups and downs of the real world. The players learn what it’s like to be part of a team and that is a very special and unique experience.

If you could coach one professional sports team, which would it be, and what changes would you make?

While I have tremendous respect for the ability levels of professional coaches and athletes, I am not interested in coaching at that level. The huge amounts of money involved in professional sports has made it distasteful to me. I also clearly understand that I am not qualified to coach at that level.

If the team you're coaching presently were to win the state championship, what would you say would be the No. 1 reason for it?

The players total commitment to the team’s success.

What do you do for fun that isn’t related to the sport you presently coach?

I have the most wonderful family in the world and I enjoy spending as much time as possible with them. As for hobbies, I enjoy reading, running and cycling.

Walt Disney pictures decides to make a motion picture about your team and its achievements. What celebrity actor/actress would play you in the movie?

The person who would play me would be a totally unknown actor because the movie would be about the players and their achievements.