Coach Snowden grew up and attended school in Mt. Vernon. participated in footbalL track and boxing. He was a member of the 1952 State Boxing Championship as well as the State Light Weight Champion. Many of his coaching ways came from boxing; i.e. Thinking on your feet, making quick decisions, and staying calm when under stress.
After attending Skagit Valley College, Washington State University and graduating from the University of Washington, he completed his Master’s Degree at the University of Washington and received his Administrative credentials from Seattle University.
Ben recognized his love of basketball while a student at the U.W. He was hired to be an assistant coach at Lakeside for two years. When he began teaching at Roosevelt High School in 1958, he volunteered to help in any capacity, due to the fact that there were no paid assistant jobs available. He became instant friends with the man he called his mentor, John Fuller, a previous Hall of Fame inductee. Ben took over for John in 1967 until retiring in 1995.
While at Roosevelt he held many titles. He taught History, Health, and Physical Education, was Head of the Physical Education Department, Summer School Principal for 17 years, Dean of students, Men’s and Women’s track head coach, Cross Country head coach, and Basketball head coach and assistant coach.
Coach Snowden was fortunate enough to coach nine State tournament teams. His 1973 and 1982 teams were State Champions while his 1987 team, which his son Jay was a member of was runner- up to Garfield High School. Ben was named Washington State Coach of the Year in 1982 and Metro Coach of the Year in 1986. He was selected to the Seattle P.I. Sportsman of the Year banquet in 1973. Coach Snowden was given the “Spirit of Kingco Conference” award in 1999 for his dedication and commitment to student athletes and educational sports programs. Ben’s overall record at Roosevelt High was 337 wins and 265 losses. The highlight of his career was the naming of the Roosevelt High School’s gym in his honor. It is now called the “Ben Snowden Court”.
When asked who some of his outstanding athletes were, Coach Snowden felt he coached so many fine young men and women that he would have to mention them all. Each one had something special about them. He is proud to have been their teacher and coach. Coach Snowden wants his students and players to know that he received more from them than he gave to them.
Ben would like to thank his wife, Venette, and children, Kenlyn, Anjanette and Jay for their support and encouragement, not to mention the numerous other family and friends that supported him no matter the outcome. And, finally, to all his former students and athletes over 41 years of teaching and coaching, “Thanks, it was a ball!”
