Ken Snow is sixth on the NCAA Division I men’s scoring list. (Photo courtesy of Steve Franklin)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Former U.S. international striker Ken Snow, a two-time winner of the Hermann Trophy while starring at Indiana University and considered one of the best college soccer players ever, passed away due to complications from COVID-19 Sunday.
He was 50 and would have turned 51 on Tuesday, June 23.
“It is with great sorrow that we pass along the news of yesterday’s passing of Ken Snow due to complications from COVID-!9,” said a soccer colleague, Steve Franklin, on Facebook Monday.
“The Indiana Soccer family offers its condolences to the family members of Ken. RIP Ken.”
Former Indiana coach Jerry Yeagley, who guided Snow during his glory years, feted the scoring star.
“Ken was the most highly decorated player to ever wear the IU uniform. He is the only player to have earned four first-team All-America selections and two national player of the year awards,” he said in a statement on the IU website. “He was the finest attacking player that I ever had the privilege of coaching.”
Growing up in Schaumburg, Ill., Snow filled the net on a regular basis for Hoffman Estates High School, becoming Illinois’ all-time boys’ goal-scoring leader with 128.
Snow brought his lethal strike rate to the Hoosiers, connecting for 84 goals in 87 matches, including a nation-high 28 as a freshman. He is sixth on the Division I all-time goal list. Snow also helped Indiana to a NCAA Division I championship. He won his Hermann awards in 1988 and 1990.
He currently holds Indiana’s all-time career records in points (196) and goals scored (84), while securing the single-season goals record (28) during the 1987 season.
The Hoosiers posted a 73-12-4 record.
Snow also was a member of Soccer America’s All-Century Team (20th century).
Because there was no professional first division outdoor league in which to play, he turned to indoor soccer after performing with the Miami Freedom in 1991.
He competed for the Chicago Power, Tampa Bay Terror, Detroit Neon, St. Louis Steamers and Philadelphia KiXX. Snow averaged more than a goal a game indoors – 243 goals in 197 games over eight seasons. He struck for 151 goals in 140 appearances for Chicago during a four-year tenure and tallied 56 in 26 games for St. Louis in 1998-99.
Snow did have an opportunity to play in Major League Soccer.
In 1996, the Kansas City Wizards selected Snow in the 16th round of the MLS inaugural draft (156th overall), but the team waived him during the preseason. Two years later, Snow went on trial with the expansion Chicago Fire but was dropped by the team in March 1998.
While attending Indiana, Snow made two appearances for the U.S. men’s national team win 1988. His first cap was as a substitute in a 1-0 win over Guatemala on Jan. 13, 1988.
Most recently, Snow operated the Ken Snow Goal Scoring Camp in the Midwest.
