Loyola Girls Soccer Coach Fired Over Comments To Players

WILMETTE, IL — Loyola Academy fired the coach of its girls soccer team after administrators of the high school received complaints from students of improper behavior. Former head coach Craig Snower was fired Thursday, according to school officials, the day before the 16-1-4 Ramblers defeated Stevenson High School in the final game of the regular season.

School officials said they last week received "several confidential complaints alleging inappropriate or offensive comments made to team members" by Snower.

"An investigation has been opened, and Loyola Academy is fully cooperating with the appropriate authorities," the Wilmette-based Jesuit institution said in a statement.

The Loyola girls squad plays Von Steuben Tuesday in Skokie in the Class 3A regional semifinals. No replacement head coach was immediately named.

"Loyola Academy is committed to maintaining a safe environment for our students and their well-being is our highest priority," the school said.

Snower is the operations manager and a third-generation member of a Glenview-based family industrial distribution business. He has been coaching soccer since 2003 and was awarded the Illinois High School Soccer Coach of the Year award in 2012.

Police said they interviewed team members after school administrators reported receiving several complaints alleging inappropriate comments made by a coach to team members.

"No criminal charges are being sought at this time," Wilmette police said Tuesday.

Snower is a 1992 New Trier High School graduate and former coach at the school. He has coached the Loyola girls' team since 2004 and had been the director of the girls program at FC United since 2011, according to the team websites. He referred questions to an attorney, who said there would be "plenty to say at the appropriate time."

Craig Snower, our operations manager, was honored with the Competitive Coach of the Year award by the Illinois Youth Soccer Association, and was also recognized along with his FC United 14U Girls team for winning the US Youth Soccer National Presidents Cup Championship. So proud! pic.twitter.com/BUgwOgA663
— Cicero Mfg & Supply (@ciceromfgsupply) March 8, 2018