Ewing, NJ – The College of New Jersey and the Lions' baseball program will be honoring the late Sgt. Eric Snell on Saturday, April 5 in conjunction with the team's home baseball doubleheader. In a brief ceremony commencing at 11:45 a.m., TCNJ's baseball coaching staff, team members, alumni, and friends will gather to join the Snell family to honor their late teammate and a fallen hero with a dedication of a monument in his honor at George Ackerman Park. In the event of the cancellation of Saturday's games due to bad weather, the dedicatio will take place in Packer Hall.
Sgt. Eric Lamar Snell, 35, died June 18, 2007 in Baghdad, shortly after a gun battle with insurgents. He had been an outstanding baseball player but skipped a professional career to focus on college.
He also worked as a model -- appearing in publications like Modern Bride and Vibe Magazine -- and traveled the world living in Italy and South Africa. His professional baseball career included stints with the Atlantic City Baseball League as a member of the New Jersey Pilots. His career as a model gave him an opportunity to travel. He also worked and lived in Italy and South Africa. While on tour in South Africa, Eric auditioned for the role of Mohammad Ali for the Mohammad Ali movie. He was called back twice, but lost the role to actor, Will Smith.
A 1989 graduate of Hamilton High West, Eric was a member of the Hamilton Little Lads, Hamilton PAL, The American Legion, Babe Ruth League, and the Hamilton Township Recreation Program. He excelled in baseball, basketball and track. The 54th draft pick of the Cleveland Indians, Eric attended Old Dominion University before transferring to The College of New Jersey. In his time with the Lions, Eric played the outfield and in his first season with the Lions in 1992, earned a spot on the All-Region First Team, the NJAC All-Star Second Team and was tapped for all North-South honors. A 42-game starter, Eric batted .341 with 37 RBIs and 11 doubles. He added 24 stolen bases on 26 tries and scored 43 runs as the team's starting centerfielder. He helped the Lions to a 34-8 record and a spot in the 1992 NCAA Division III Championships.
As a senior for the Lions, Eric once again started every game in the outfield and batted a team-high .347. He led the team with his 37 RBIs and 16 doubles. He added four game-winning hits and was successful on 15 of his 19 stolen base tries. He ranked 16th in Division III with 0.46 doubles per game and once again reaped numerous post-season honors for his play. A 1993 ECAC Division III Metro All-Star, Eric was a candidate for player of the year as well, and once again helped the Lions return to the NCAA Championships. He was also named to the 1993 New Jersey College Baseball Association College Division All-Star Team and earned NJAC All-Star Second Team honors for the second straight year and received NJAC All-Tournament honors for his play in the tournament. Tapped as the NJAC Player of the Week to open the month of May, he had a 17-game hitting streak for the Lions at the start of the season.
He joined the army in 2005 and served with the 2nd infantry division out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
He graduated as a Calvary Scout from Fort Knox and was assigned to the 3/61 Calvary Squadron, 2nd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Carson. In 2006 he was deployed to Iraq in support of “Operation Iraqi Freedom.” Eric served honorably and his awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Army Commendation Medal.
He leaves behind two sons, Shameer Horton of Hamilton, Khalil Young of Union, his father Arthur Snell, his mother Mittie White, a sister Alaina Snell, and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.
The creation of the Eric Snell `94 Memorial was made possible in large part due to the efforts of his Trenton State College baseball teammates from 1992 and 1993. In response to a leadership effort directed by Dennis Machulsky `93 and Dan Dengler `93, financial support for the monument to Eric Snell was achieved and at the same time, provided much-needed support for TCNJ's Baseball Legacy Endowment Fund.
Alumni and friends who wish to join this effort may direct their contributions to The College of New Jersey Foundation, PO Box 7718, Ewing, NJ 08628. Please indicate TCNJ Baseball Legacy Fund/Eric Snell Memorial on checks. Online contributions may be made via the Foundation's Web site (www.tcnj.edu/give).
For additional information, contact Peter Manetas at 609.771.2323 or via e-mail at manetas@tcnj.edu.
