SANTA ANA, Calif. - Santa Ana College Hall of Fame baseball coach Don Sneddon has passed away after battling an aggressive form of cancer.
The legendary coach turned the SAC baseball program into one of the most respected in the state as he led the Dons to three state championships (1993, 1995, 1996) and 16 Orange Empire Conference championships in his 32 years at the helm.
Sneddon ended his career as the all-time winningest coach in California community college baseball history with a record of 1,072-383-3. He was named the conference coach of the year 16 times, including five-straight seasons from 2007-2011. In addition, he led Dons to the second round of postseason competition for 25 consecutive seasons from 1988-2012.
Following his retirement, Coach Sneddon was inducted into multiple hall of fames including the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A), the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) and the Santa Ana College Athletic Hall of Fame.
Sneddon didn't stay away from baseball for long as he took a couple of jobs with Summer league teams following his decorated collegiate coaching career. He had two stints in the Cape Cod League, the premier collegiate summer baseball league in the nation, with the Wareham Gateman and led them to the 2018 Cape Cod League championship. He also spent the Summer of 2014 as the manager of the Modesto Nuts of the California League.
As a player, Sneddon began his collegiate career at Cerritos College where he was an All-Southern California shortstop before earning a scholarship to then NCAA Division II Cal State Fullerton.
In 1974, Sneddon helped the Titans win the California Collegiate Athletics Association championship and was the first NCAA Div. II All-American in school history.
After graduating, Sneddon joined the coaching staff at CSUF as an assistant in 1975. Following a couple seasons with the Titans, he became an assistant for then-head coach Jim Reach at SAC, before being named the head coach in 1981.
SAC Athletics Director Mary Hegarty: "Coach Sneddon was a legend in 3C2A Baseball and across the country, and his legacy is unrivaled. His influence with SAC Athletics has continued over the years as an indispensable member of the SAC Athletic Hall of Fame and Ed Arnold Golf Classic Committees, and as a regular attendee at SAC Baseball games on the field named in his honor. His presence and wonderful storytelling will be missed by everyone lucky enough to know him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Marta, the Sneddon family, and the thousands of athletes and colleagues he impacted over his storied career."
Cards may be sent to:
Santa Ana College Athletics
c/o Don Sneddon Celebration of Life
1530 W. 17th
Santa Ana, CA 92706
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Santa Ana College Baseball in Coach Sneddon's memory.
Don Sneddon Celebration of Life:
Sunday, April 28
11:00 a.m.
Don Sneddon Field/Santa Ana College
