Clayton Snyder Q&A
10/3/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Water Polo
Sophomore men’s water polo student-athlete Clayton Snyder (
Q: How did you go from a youth swim team to water polo?
A: “Being on the swim team just led to playing water polo. I played for several clubs and for my high school.”
Q: How did you pursue acting and play water polo at the same time?
A: “Most of the time I could balance it. My freshman year in high school I had to give up water polo because I was working on the Lizzie McGuire series.”
Q: Was that difficult not to play your first year in high school?
A: “It was hard not being able to help my team and not being a part of the whole season.”
Q: Was there a point when you had to make a choice between acting and water polo?
A: “After freshman year I felt like I really wanted to commit to water polo. My heart wasn’t really into acting. Acting doesn’t help you get into college, but water polo does.”
Q: You were a highly recruited athlete. What made you choose Pepperdine?
A: “I picked Pepperdine because it’s a top academic school and I really like the water polo coaches and the program.”
Q: Your father graduated from UCLA. Was that one of the schools that was recruiting you?
A: “It was and I thought I would go there ... until I came here. I’m sure my father was a little disappointed, but he was always very supportive of my decision.”
Q: Are you still happy with your choice?
A: “Yes, I love it here. Our team all gets along really well and it’s easy to network at a small school. There’s a lot of thing to do on this campus – great plays, musicals and guitarists.”
Q: What do you feel is the reason for your team being so close?
A: “I think we just work well as a team and there are no conflicts. Everyone fits in. Coach Kocur provides great leadership and we all respect him. He has a very mature outlook in that water polo isn’t life. He cares about our well-being outside of the pool. I’ve never had a coach as accessible as he is when it comes to advice.”
Q: What are your plans for the summer?
A: “I always keep everything open until I know what’s happening with water polo. The team might go to
