Kyle F. Snowden '97

Basketball - Hall of Fame Class of 2012

Harvard Athletic Achievements
As one of Harvard’s best male athletes in 1997, Kyle Snowden led the men’s basketball team to its first 17-win season in the post World War II era until recently. Kyle was a catalyst for the men’s basketball team, and deserves much of the credit for the program’s rise in the mid 1990s. A four year letterwinner, Kyle was selected to the First Team All-Ivy in the 1995-96 and 1996-97 season. He also earned Second Team All-Ivy honors in 1994-95. He was also named to the NABC All- District Second Team in 1996-97.

Kyle is the all-time leading rebounder in Harvard history with 913—he led the team in rebounds each year. He is also ranked eighth in career points (1,429). Statistics can only cover so much of Kyle’s game, as he’s been described by former Director of Athletic Communications John Veneziano as a “relentlessly determined rebounder who consistently outworked his opponents on the court and who soaked up everything the coaches taught him.” He is a two-time recipient of the Raymond Lavietes MVP Award.  His senior year, he was a recipient of the 1997 Bingham Award presented to the best senior male athlete. Kyle has been lauded for his unselfish, unassuming, and dedicated play, motivating his teammates to always play to the best of their abilities.

Remembering Harvard Athletics
I would like to thank the Harvard Varsity Club and the Selection Committee for this honor. I am so thrilled to be included in the induction class of 2012 and to be placed alongside such a highly respected and admired group of Harvard athletes. Congratulations as well to all of this year’s inductees.

I was extremely fortunate not only to attend a great school but also to live out a dream of playing Division I college basketball. I was also very lucky to have a network of individuals who coached, taught, supported, and inspired me along the way. There is no way I would have been able to accomplish what I did without them.  One of the first people I would like to thank is my high school teacher and coach, Robin Dixon. He devoted so much of his time and energy to help me and so many others develop as players and perhaps more importantly, motivated us to succeed in the classroom as well.

I would also like to thank the coaching staff during my four years at Harvard - Frank Sullivan, Brian Walmsley, Bill Holden, and in particular Kevin O’Brien. Kevin, your enthusiasm basketball was infectious and was surpassed only by your dedication... to teaching the game and motivating your players to achieve more than they ever believed was possible. I am grateful for your guidance, encouragement, and most of all your sense of humor. On occasion, I would find a note in my locker supposedly from an opposing player detailing how many ways he would destroy me on the court. They always made me laugh even though you ran out of good material sometime during my junior year. In all seriousness, I am so glad that our friendship has endured long after my playing days at Harvard were over.

There is not enough space to name all of my teammates from my playing days, but I must extend my gratitude to each and every one of them. You helped make my college experience as a student and as an athlete truly unforgettable. I would like to give a special thank you to my fellow class of 1997 teammate and roommate Chris Grancio. I got to know Chris a bit prior to Harvard when we played for rival teams on New England AAU circuit. When I heard that he would also attend Harvard I was really excited to have a teammate who grew up locally as I did. I do not think it was a surprise that we became fast friends. It is incredible to think back to our first fall workouts as freshman when we could count on one hand (with a few fingers to spare) the number of times we saw the inside of a weight room. I believe we both grew tremendously as players during our four years and I cannot thank you enough for helping me get better every day.  

The love and support of my family means absolutely everything to me and I greatly appreciate my extended family for always cheering for me, on and off the court. To my parents, thank you for all of your sacrifices not just during college but more times than I could possibly count along the way. You instilled in me values such as hard work, discipline, and dedication often saying that it is not worth doing something unless you do it to the best of your abilities. To my older brother Derrick, you are the reason why I started playing sports. Thank you for always being in my corner and even skipping some of your own games to come watch mine. To the most important person in my life, my wife Alissa, hopefully this event will show you that I was a decent athlete at one point in my life and not the weekend hack that I have become! All kidding aside, I cannot thank you enough for sharing the last ten years with me – they have been truly amazing. Finally, thank you to my daughter Sasha for being ridiculously adorable!