Zenon Snylyk
Encyclopedia
Zenon Snylyk (November 14, 1933 in Putiatynsi, now Ukraine
– January 21, 2002 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
) is a former Ukrainian-American soccer player. He played for numerous ethnic Ukrainian amateur and professional clubs in both the U.S. and Canada over a twenty year career. He also earned five caps with the U.S. national team
between 1957 and 1963 and was a member 1956 U.S. Olympic soccer team.
where they lived until World War II
. After the war, the Snylyk family fled to Mittenwald
, West Germany
where they lived in a displaced persons camp from 1945 to 1949. While there, Snylyk attended a Ukrainian secondary school and played several sports, becoming noted for his skill at table tennis
. In 1949 when he was fifteen, Snylyks’ family moved to the United States. They settled in Rochester, New York
where he attended Ben Franklin High School. After graduating from high school, he entered the University of Rochester
.
where he was a member of the school’s soccer team from 1951 to 1954. He was an honorable mention (third team) All American in both 1953 and 1954. Snylyk graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science
in 1955 and was inducted into the University of Rochester Hall of Fame in 2005.http://www.rochester.edu/athletics/article.php?id=1244 In addition to graduating from Rochester in 1955, he also gained his U.S. citizenship that year.
He earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago
in 1958. After graduating from Chicago, he taught political science at McGill University
in Montreal
, Canada
in the 1959-1960 school year.
). He would play with the Ukrainians from 1950 to 1955, then again in 1957. In 1957, the Ukrainians lost, 1-0, to St. Louis Kutis
in the National Amateur Cup final.http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/natamateur.html
Over the years, he played for multiple teams, at time traveling by plane to make games in both Canada and the United States. In 1955, Snylyk joined the Montreal Ukrainians
following the completion of Rochester’s season. He then played in Montreal until 1957, when he joined Rochester for its run to the Amateur Cup final. Montreal finished league runner up in 1955 and champion in 1957.
At times Snylyk would play simultaneously for teams in the U.S. and Canada. While he could do this due to the off set seasons, at times he was forced to travel from one game to another by airplane. For example, while playing for Montreal Ukrainians, Snylyk also played with Chicago Levy in 1956, then from 1958 to 1961. At some point in there, he also played for Toronto Ukrainians
and while teaching at McGill University of Montreal in 1959-1960, he would fly to New York to play games with the New York Ukrainians
.
In 1962, Snylky moved to Newark, New Jersey
to manage a newspaper. While there, he signed with Newark Ukrainian Sitch
(also known as Chornomorska Sitch) of the American Soccer League
(ASL). He remained with this, his last club, until his retirement in 1970. In 1963, Sitch won the ASL League Cup, known as a the Lewis Cup.
which competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics
. The U.S. took a tour of Asia in preparation for the games. Despite good success at these friendly matches, the U.S. lost, 9-1, to Yugoslavia in the first round.
In 1959, Snylyk was again selected as captain of the U.S. soccer team as it entered qualification for the 1960 Summer Olympics
. This time a loss and a tie to Mexico in the first round of qualification put the U.S. out of contention for the tournament. In 1964, Snylyk was called into his third consecutive Olympic soccer team, but again the U.S. failed to qualify for the tournament with a 1-2 record in qualifications.
which were fully amateur at the time. In 1959, Snylyk was selected for the U.S. soccer team at the 1959 Pan Am Games
, held in Chicago. Just as with the Olympic squad, Snylyk was team captain of the U.S. as it captured the bronze medal in these games. On August 29, 1959, the U.S. defeated Brazil 5-3. However, this was also Snylyk’s wedding day. He played the game, then drove, along with his team mates, to the church where he married Yara Matura, a native of Chicago. Following the reception, he went back to the competitors’ compound to sleep.
Snylyk competed in the 1963 Pan Am Games
. However, the U.S. was not as successful, finishing last and losing 10-0 to Brazil in the process.
from 1957 to 1961. In 1957, he played two World Cup qualification games. The first, a 6-0 loss to Mexico
took place on April 7, 1956. On November 13, 1960, he was team captain as the U.S. lost 3-0 to Mexico
in Mexico City
in a World Cup qualifier. His last cap came as a substitute for Kenneth Finn in a 2-0 loss to Colombia
on February 5, 1961.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det69.html
Snylyk died on January 21, 2002, at his home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
.
Gene Chyzowych
, who played with Snylyk at Rochester, later wrote, “He was the most intelligent tactician I ever played with. . . . Zenon had no size or strength, but skills and speed of thought would compensate for duels and tackles other players would get into.”http://www.rochester.edu/pr/Review/V65N3/letters.html
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
– January 21, 2002 in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Berkeley Heights is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,183....
) is a former Ukrainian-American soccer player. He played for numerous ethnic Ukrainian amateur and professional clubs in both the U.S. and Canada over a twenty year career. He also earned five caps with the U.S. national team
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
between 1957 and 1963 and was a member 1956 U.S. Olympic soccer team.
Youth
While born in Putiatynsi, Snylyk’s family moved to the city of LvivLviv
Lviv is a city in western Ukraine. The city is regarded as one of the main cultural centres of today's Ukraine and historically has also been a major Polish and Jewish cultural center, as Poles and Jews were the two main ethnicities of the city until the outbreak of World War II and the following...
where they lived until World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. After the war, the Snylyk family fled to Mittenwald
Mittenwald
Mittenwald is a German municipality in the district of Garmisch-Partenkirchen, in Bavaria.-Geography:Mittenwald is located approx. 16 kilometers to the south-east of Garmisch-Partenkirchen...
, West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
where they lived in a displaced persons camp from 1945 to 1949. While there, Snylyk attended a Ukrainian secondary school and played several sports, becoming noted for his skill at table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
. In 1949 when he was fifteen, Snylyks’ family moved to the United States. They settled in Rochester, New York
Rochester, New York
Rochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
where he attended Ben Franklin High School. After graduating from high school, he entered the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
.
College
Snylyk attended the University of RochesterUniversity of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
where he was a member of the school’s soccer team from 1951 to 1954. He was an honorable mention (third team) All American in both 1953 and 1954. Snylyk graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science
Political science
Political Science is a social science discipline concerned with the study of the state, government and politics. Aristotle defined it as the study of the state. It deals extensively with the theory and practice of politics, and the analysis of political systems and political behavior...
in 1955 and was inducted into the University of Rochester Hall of Fame in 2005.http://www.rochester.edu/athletics/article.php?id=1244 In addition to graduating from Rochester in 1955, he also gained his U.S. citizenship that year.
He earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1958. After graduating from Chicago, he taught political science at McGill University
McGill University
Mohammed Fathy is a public research university located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The university bears the name of James McGill, a prominent Montreal merchant from Glasgow, Scotland, whose bequest formed the beginning of the university...
in Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in the 1959-1960 school year.
Club career
Snylyk began his organized soccer career with a team his father founded in Rochester, the Ukrainian American Sports Association of Rochester (also known as the Rochester UkrainiansRochester Ukrainians
Rochester Ukrainians is an American soccer club based in Rochester, New York. The club was founded by Ukrainians that had been settled in the Rochester after second world war.-External links:*...
). He would play with the Ukrainians from 1950 to 1955, then again in 1957. In 1957, the Ukrainians lost, 1-0, to St. Louis Kutis
St. Louis Kutis S.C.
St. Louis Kutis Soccer Club, better known as St. Louis Kutis, is an amateur American soccer club in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 1947 as the St. Louis Raiders, the club was known as Paul Schulte during the 1948-49 season and McMahon's during the 1949-50 season. In 1953, the team was renamed...
in the National Amateur Cup final.http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/natamateur.html
Over the years, he played for multiple teams, at time traveling by plane to make games in both Canada and the United States. In 1955, Snylyk joined the Montreal Ukrainians
Montreal Ukrainians
Montreal Ukrainians is a Canadian soccer team based in Montreal. The club was founded by Ukrainians that had been settled in Montreal after second world war.-History:...
following the completion of Rochester’s season. He then played in Montreal until 1957, when he joined Rochester for its run to the Amateur Cup final. Montreal finished league runner up in 1955 and champion in 1957.
At times Snylyk would play simultaneously for teams in the U.S. and Canada. While he could do this due to the off set seasons, at times he was forced to travel from one game to another by airplane. For example, while playing for Montreal Ukrainians, Snylyk also played with Chicago Levy in 1956, then from 1958 to 1961. At some point in there, he also played for Toronto Ukrainians
Toronto Ukrainians
Toronto Ukrainians is a Canadian soccer team. The club was founded in 30 June 1948 by Ukrainians that had been settled in the Toronto after second world war....
and while teaching at McGill University of Montreal in 1959-1960, he would fly to New York to play games with the New York Ukrainians
New York Ukrainians
New York Ukrainians is an American soccer club based in New York. The club was founded by Ukrainians that had been settled in New York after second world war.-History:...
.
In 1962, Snylky moved to Newark, New Jersey
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
to manage a newspaper. While there, he signed with Newark Ukrainian Sitch
Newark Ukrainian Sitch
Newark Ukrainian Sitch also known as "Newark Ukrainians" is an American soccer club based in Newark, New Jersey that was a member of the American Soccer League...
(also known as Chornomorska Sitch) of the American Soccer League
American Soccer League
The American Soccer League has been a name used by three different professional soccer leagues in the United States. The first American Soccer League was established in 1921 by the merger of teams from the National Association Football League and the Southern New England Soccer League. For...
(ASL). He remained with this, his last club, until his retirement in 1970. In 1963, Sitch won the ASL League Cup, known as a the Lewis Cup.
Olympic team
Beginning a year after he gained his U.S. citizenship, Snylyk began representing the U.S. at the international level. In 1956, he was selected to be the captain of the U.S. soccer teamUnited States at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The United States competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. 297 competitors, 251 men and 46 women, took part in 139 events in 18 sports.- Gold:*Bobby Morrow — Athletics, Men's 100 metres...
which competed at the 1956 Summer Olympics
Football at the 1956 Summer Olympics
The 1956 Olympic Games football tournament with just 11 competing nations suffered from cancellations. It was an undistinguished tournament that featured mis-matches and walkovers.-Background:...
. The U.S. took a tour of Asia in preparation for the games. Despite good success at these friendly matches, the U.S. lost, 9-1, to Yugoslavia in the first round.
Pre-1956 Olympic Games tour
- Japan 3-5 U.S.
- Kansei 0-6 U.S.
- South Korea 1-0 U.S.
- Taiwan 1-6 U.S.
- Hong Kong 2-1 U.S.
- Philippines 0-4 U.S.
- Singapore 1-2 U.S.
- Indonesia 7-5 U.S.
In 1959, Snylyk was again selected as captain of the U.S. soccer team as it entered qualification for the 1960 Summer Olympics
1960 Summer Olympics
The 1960 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XVII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held from August 25 to September 11, 1960 in Rome, Italy...
. This time a loss and a tie to Mexico in the first round of qualification put the U.S. out of contention for the tournament. In 1964, Snylyk was called into his third consecutive Olympic soccer team, but again the U.S. failed to qualify for the tournament with a 1-2 record in qualifications.
Pan American Games
In the 1950s and 1960s, most players on the U.S. national team were amateurs. This allowed them to play both in full internationals and in the Olympics and Pan American GamesPan American Games
The Pan-American or Pan American Games are a major event in the Americas featuring summer and formerly winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Pan American Games are the second largest multi-sport event after the Summer Olympics...
which were fully amateur at the time. In 1959, Snylyk was selected for the U.S. soccer team at the 1959 Pan Am Games
Football at the 1959 Pan American Games
The third edition of the football tournament at the Pan American Games was held in Chicago, Illinois, from August 21 to September 5, 1959. Seven teams did compete in a round-robin competition, with Argentina defending the title once again.-Matches:...
, held in Chicago. Just as with the Olympic squad, Snylyk was team captain of the U.S. as it captured the bronze medal in these games. On August 29, 1959, the U.S. defeated Brazil 5-3. However, this was also Snylyk’s wedding day. He played the game, then drove, along with his team mates, to the church where he married Yara Matura, a native of Chicago. Following the reception, he went back to the competitors’ compound to sleep.
Snylyk competed in the 1963 Pan Am Games
Football at the 1963 Pan American Games
The fourth edition of the football tournament at the Pan American Games was held in São Paulo, Brazil, from April 20 to May 4, 1963. Five teams did compete in a round-robin competition, with Argentina being the defending champions...
. However, the U.S. was not as successful, finishing last and losing 10-0 to Brazil in the process.
National team
Snylyk earned five caps with the U.S. national teamUnited States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
from 1957 to 1961. In 1957, he played two World Cup qualification games. The first, a 6-0 loss to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
took place on April 7, 1956. On November 13, 1960, he was team captain as the U.S. lost 3-0 to Mexico
Mexico national football team
The Mexican national football team represents Mexico in association football and is governed by the Mexican Football Federation , the governing body for football in Mexico. Mexico's home stadium is the Estadio Azteca and their head coach is José Manuel de la Torre...
in Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
in a World Cup qualifier. His last cap came as a substitute for Kenneth Finn in a 2-0 loss to Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
on February 5, 1961.http://www.rsssf.com/tablesu/usa-intres-det69.html
Newspaper Editor
In 1962, the Ukrainian National Association hired Snylyk to edit The Ukrainian Weekly. He remained as editor until 1980. That year, he became the editor of the Ukrainian-language newspaper, Svoboda. He retired in June 1988.Snylyk died on January 21, 2002, at his home in Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Berkeley Heights, New Jersey
Berkeley Heights is a township in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 13,183....
.
Gene Chyzowych
Gene Chyzowych
Gene Chyzowych is a former professional soccer player and coach, who is now the coach of the Columbia High School soccer team in Maplewood, New Jersey. He has the second most wins of any active scholastic soccer coaches in the United States, and has compiled a 730-188-70 record in 46 years at...
, who played with Snylyk at Rochester, later wrote, “He was the most intelligent tactician I ever played with. . . . Zenon had no size or strength, but skills and speed of thought would compensate for duels and tackles other players would get into.”http://www.rochester.edu/pr/Review/V65N3/letters.html