Strength With Purpose
Colin Snyder came to Northwestern with a love for athletics, a deep family connection to NWC and a growing curiosity about how the human body works. What he found was more than a major—it was a calling shaped through hands-on experience, intentional mentorship and a Christ-centered approach to strength + conditioning. As a football player and kinesiology student, Colin developed through the rigorous curriculum and countless hours in the weight room. Today, he serves as a customer success manager at TeamBuildr—helping strength coaches maximize performance through programming and tracking software—and runs SHRP Training with his brother, Jaden Snyder ’22, assisting former athletes in growing stronger physically, mentally and spiritually.
Why did you choose Northwestern?
Many of my family members attended Northwestern, so I grew up hearing nothing but great things about the college. The chance to play football for Coach McCarty and his staff was something I couldn’t pass up. I knew it would be a great place to grow. I was also blown away by the facilities, strength staff and kinesiology department during my visit. It felt like the right place to develop both professionally and personally. The emphasis on faith woven throughout athletics and academics was important to me as well.
How did you decide to go into strength + conditioning?
I knew I wanted to study kinesiology because I loved understanding how the human body works, develops and can be optimized. But I wasn’t sure what career path I’d take within the field. My freshman-year directed field experience was huge. It gave me a close look at the day-to-day realities of various kinesiology careers. Strength + conditioning stood out immediately. I loved the environment of the weight room, the process of training, and the opportunity to help others reach their potential both athletically and personally. Strength training gave me so much confidence and growth as an athlete and person, and I wanted to help others experience those same benefits.
What are the strengths of Northwestern’s kinesiology department?
The faculty are exceptional. Dr. Calsbeek, Coach Ox and so many others are not only incredibly knowledgeable but teach in a way that’s engaging, challenging and genuinely student-focused. The curriculum was rigorous yet well-rounded, and it made learning both enjoyable and directly applicable to my career. Having access to some advanced tools and technology was valuable as well.
How well did Northwestern prepare you for your career?
During my time as a strength + conditioning coach, I frequently heard peers talk about feeling unprepared after college. My experience was the opposite, as Northwestern equipped me extremely well. Between the curriculum, hundreds of hours spent programming and coaching teams across my four years, and the department’s network for internships, graduate assistant positions and job opportunities, I felt confident and capable stepping into every role after graduation.
What have you come to value most about your Northwestern experience?
The people who shaped, encouraged and supported me throughout my time there. Teammates, friends, coaches, faculty and staff all played a role. I’ve worked at and been around several universities since graduating, and nothing has ever felt as “special” as Northwestern. That uniqueness comes down to the people and the sense of community woven into everything the college does.
In what ways did you grow in your faith at Northwestern?
Having faith incorporated into every part of my academic and athletic life deepened my sense of awe at God’s creation. Seeing the detail and intentionality in how the human body is designed along with the unique gifts of each person removed any doubts I may have had about God as creator and helped me understand the value and purpose of every person. Weekly chapel, FCA, discipleship groups and spring service trips all provided consistent opportunities to grow, serve and be sharpened within community.
