Snaguski, Sunagel Selected for W Association Barrett Award

Jennifer Snaguski and Duane Sunagel, College of Wooster alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the coaching profession, are the latest selections for the W Association's Paul V. Barrett Award. Snaguski and Sunagel will be presented with their award by the W Association at an upcoming home game of their choosing.

Snaguski's start in coaching came nearly two decades ago when she was asked to create a girls' program for one of the public middle schools. With no other teams to play outside of a private school, Snaguski worked with others to help create programs for two additional middle schools in the area. When daughter, Brynne, a current junior on Wooster's women's lacrosse team, reached high school, Snaguski transitioned to coaching at the high school level, where she spent five seasons. She is currently enjoying watching her daughter play at the collegiate level, wearing the same number from when she was a standout on Wooster's team. Snaguski plans to resume coaching in the future.

Snaguski's favorite memories as a coach center around watching girls learn to play a great sport with friends from other schools in the area. An exceptional dedication to sportsmanship was paramount to a Snaguski-coached program, and that led to a plethora of hard working, multi-talented, and well-balanced players under her tutelage. Snaguski's teams were well versed in a total student-athlete experience with a high level of involvement supporting teammates in other interests regularly encouraged.

At Wooster, Snaguski was a two-time all-region and two-time all-conference attacker. Snaguski scored 88 goals, passed out 24 assists, and won 54 draw controls over her career. She graduated in 1992 with a degree in psychology.

Sunagel founded the SunDogs summer softball team in Elyria, Ohio, and developed the team into a consistent collegiate feeder program. Two players Sunagel coached went on to play professional softball. Sunagel developed a number of other softball players who played across all levels of collegiate softball. The SunDogs won multiple state titles and were the NSA Super World Series champion in 2003. Additionally, the SunDogs were the ASA national runner-up in 2009 out of 139 teams in the field. Sunagel led the SunDogs to over 400 wins as the team progressed through his daughter, Erin's, age brackets.

Wellington High School is where Sunagel made his mark. He led the team for eight years before retiring in 2022. The Dukes won five sectional championships in his eight seasons and advanced to the district finals three times. At Wellington, Sunagel led the team to a pair of top-10 rankings within the state, and he coached 60 All-Lorain County, 18 all-district, and 39 all-conference players. Wellington's success led to one Northeast Ohio District and four Lorain County Coach of the Year honors.

Prior to taking over at Wellington, Sunagel coached at Midview High School and Rocky River High School. He later concluded his career as an assistant at Elyria High School, helping out a former player of his.

At Wooster, Sunagel was a 1981 letterwinner on the baseball team. That year he went 1-0 with a save over 5 2/3 innings. Sunagel posted a 3.21 ERA and struck out six. He saw time as a position player as a first-year, batting .500 (3-for-6) in limited action. Sunagel graduated in 1982 with a bachelor's in physical education.

Sunagel currently serves as an event manager at Wellington High School. He assists the Ohio High School Athletic Association as an official scorer for district softball tournaments.

The Barrett Award recognizes Wooster graduates who have made significant contributions as a coach of any sport at any level, factoring in both on-field success and off-the-field impact. For more on the award, or to nominate a College of Wooster graduate you know who meets the nomination criteria, click here.