Eastern Michigan Athletics
Mentorship in Action: How Eastern Michigan Shaped Cole Snyder’s Path
3/23/2026 8:00:00 AM | Football, General
The Powered by Eastern initiative celebrates this mission through mentorship, leadership, legacy, and scholarship
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YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Mentorship shapes careers long before a diploma enters a frame. At Eastern Michigan University, mentorship also shapes character, leadership, and direction. Student-athletes arrive with ambition and talent. The goal extends beyond competition. Coaches, alumni, and donors create connections that prepare students for life after graduation.
The Powered by Eastern initiative celebrates this mission through mentorship, leadership, legacy, and scholarship. Eastern student-athletes reflect the university's purpose every day. Programs across athletics focus on practical experience, professional preparation, and relationships that last well beyond a final season.
Few stories reflect this approach more clearly than Cole Snyder's.
Snyder graduated from Eastern Michigan in 2024 with a graduate certificate in finance. He now plays quarterback for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League. His professional path began through relationships built during his time in Ypsilanti, where mentorship opened doors and helped define the direction of his career.
One moment stands out.
Eastern Michigan football hosts an annual networking event known as Empty the Nest. The program connects current players with alumni who have built successful careers in business, healthcare, and leadership positions across the country. Unlike many networking events, the format encourages direct conversation.
"Empty the Nest is an alumni event that allows current players from Eastern Michigan to connect with different alumni from different areas of the university who are established professionally," Snyder said. "With Empty the Nest, you truly get to go there and see these people face to face, get to talk to them, understand what makes them tick, what got them to where they are."
The experience gave Snyder something many young athletes rarely receive during their playing careers. Time with professionals who once sat in the same locker room chairs.
Players asked questions about career paths, personal challenges, and life beyond football.
"Doing this and really transitioning from the football field to the workplace is a difficult transition for most people," Snyder said. "To be able to talk to some people who have done that and give you some pointers and tips along the way was really amazing."
Preparation mattered.
Snyder treated the event with the same focus he brought to the quarterback position. He studied the attendees, prepared conversation topics, and polished his résumé before stepping into the room.
"What I did is number one, make sure you have a polished resume that is up to date and that sells who you are," Snyder said. "Then also reaching out to some of the people beforehand so there is already a relationship established, and doing research on the people who are going to be there."
The approach worked.
During the event, Snyder connected with several mentors who remain part of his professional network today. Those conversations created relationships that extended far beyond a single evening.
"I actually had a few mentors stand out and some of whom I am still in touch with today," Snyder said. "Sharon Schwartz was a big one for me. She was really knowledgeable and gave me a ton of insight. Cortland Selman and Terry Kayser were also people who gave me guidance and experience."
The most impactful connection came through Eastern alumnus Phil Incarnati.
Incarnati serves as the president and chief executive officer of McLaren Health Care. Through Eastern's network, he welcomed Snyder into the organization for a summer internship. The opportunity placed Snyder in a professional environment where he observed leadership decisions at the highest level.
"It was an incredible experience to be able to work for Phil Incarnati and the rest of the crew over there," Snyder said. "I was able to sit and learn and shadow the CEO, the CFO, sit in meetings, and listen to how they operate and watch the communication they have."
For Snyder, the internship became more than a line on a résumé. It became a classroom where lessons from athletics translated into the business world.
Athletes spend years building discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills. The internship showed Snyder how those same traits shape successful organizations.
"One thing that helped me was learning how to channel the positive attributes that we have as athletes into your professional career," Snyder said. "The work ethic, communication, leadership, all the different things you get from playing football apply directly to the workforce."
Eastern Michigan's coaching staff played a critical role in making the connection possible.
Head Coach Chris Creighton built a program focused on leadership development. Players learn accountability, discipline, and responsibility through daily expectations. Snyder said those principles created habits that extend well beyond football.
"Coach Creighton's program prepares you for the next stage of life because they coach leadership," Snyder said. "He believes in doing things the right way, whether it is going to class or being on time."
Snyder experienced that lesson firsthand.
"I remember there was something I did at practice that he did not like, and it violated one of our principles," Snyder said. "Being the starting quarterback, he could have let it slide, but he stood on his principles and said, ' You are not practicing the first part of practice today."
Moments like that reinforce the culture within the program. Leadership standards apply to every player, regardless of position.
The consistency prepares athletes for environments where accountability matters.
"Everything we do has helped translate into my professional career," Snyder said. "Those same things apply when I am working in an office setting with a business."
Coaches also helped guide Snyder toward professional opportunities.
"I think Coach Creighton himself played a huge role in my professional growth because he helped me get an internship with McLaren Health as well as Jeff Collett and Mike Piatkowski," Snyder said. "Those guys were unbelievably gracious and willing to give me opportunities and put me in touch with people."
Mentorship, Snyder explained, creates opportunity. Effort determines what happens next.
"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink," Snyder said. "They gave me relationships and opportunities, but it was up to me what I did with them."
The experience strengthened Snyder's appreciation for Eastern's alumni community. Former players and graduates remain connected to the program through events like Empty the Nest and through professional mentorship.
For Snyder, the support left a lasting impression.
"I would want them to know they truly changed my life and changed the trajectory of my professional career," Snyder said. "I am forever grateful for the opportunities they gave me."
The lessons also shaped how Snyder views the future.
Many student-athletes struggle with uncertainty when their playing careers end. Snyder encourages younger players to approach career exploration with patience and curiosity.
"I would tell them I am still unsure about my career path," Snyder said. "You do not have to have everything figured out when you are in college."
He encourages athletes to explore opportunities, identify personal strengths, and build goals beyond competition.
"Think about why you loved the sport you played," Snyder said. "For me, it was leading people, communicating, being around others, and having goals to reach."
Those traits helped him succeed at quarterback. They also guide his growth in professional football and business settings.
Today, Snyder continues his journey in the CFL. The small-town athlete from Lakewood, N.Y., now competes at the professional level while building the next chapter of his career.
Yet the foundation remains tied to his time at Eastern Michigan.
The mentorship he received, the standards he learned, and the relationships he built continue to guide him.
When asked to summarize the impact of his time at Eastern, Snyder paused before answering.
"Going to Eastern Michigan University and playing football for Coach Creighton was the best decision I ever made in my life," Snyder said. "Not only on the field but off the field, all the opportunities they gave me and everything they taught me about being a man and standing on principles."
Stories like Snyder's define the purpose behind Powered by Eastern. Donor support fuels mentorship programs, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities that shape student-athletes long after their final game.
Each connection builds the next generation of leaders.
Each mentor strengthens the legacy.
Each student athlete carries the mission forward.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Mentorship shapes careers long before a diploma enters a frame. At Eastern Michigan University, mentorship also shapes character, leadership, and direction. Student-athletes arrive with ambition and talent. The goal extends beyond competition. Coaches, alumni, and donors create connections that prepare students for life after graduation.
The Powered by Eastern initiative celebrates this mission through mentorship, leadership, legacy, and scholarship. Eastern student-athletes reflect the university's purpose every day. Programs across athletics focus on practical experience, professional preparation, and relationships that last well beyond a final season.
Few stories reflect this approach more clearly than Cole Snyder's.
Snyder graduated from Eastern Michigan in 2024 with a graduate certificate in finance. He now plays quarterback for the Edmonton Elks in the Canadian Football League. His professional path began through relationships built during his time in Ypsilanti, where mentorship opened doors and helped define the direction of his career.
One moment stands out.
Eastern Michigan football hosts an annual networking event known as Empty the Nest. The program connects current players with alumni who have built successful careers in business, healthcare, and leadership positions across the country. Unlike many networking events, the format encourages direct conversation.
"Empty the Nest is an alumni event that allows current players from Eastern Michigan to connect with different alumni from different areas of the university who are established professionally," Snyder said. "With Empty the Nest, you truly get to go there and see these people face to face, get to talk to them, understand what makes them tick, what got them to where they are."
The experience gave Snyder something many young athletes rarely receive during their playing careers. Time with professionals who once sat in the same locker room chairs.
Players asked questions about career paths, personal challenges, and life beyond football.
"Doing this and really transitioning from the football field to the workplace is a difficult transition for most people," Snyder said. "To be able to talk to some people who have done that and give you some pointers and tips along the way was really amazing."
Preparation mattered.
Snyder treated the event with the same focus he brought to the quarterback position. He studied the attendees, prepared conversation topics, and polished his résumé before stepping into the room.
"What I did is number one, make sure you have a polished resume that is up to date and that sells who you are," Snyder said. "Then also reaching out to some of the people beforehand so there is already a relationship established, and doing research on the people who are going to be there."
The approach worked.
During the event, Snyder connected with several mentors who remain part of his professional network today. Those conversations created relationships that extended far beyond a single evening.
"I actually had a few mentors stand out and some of whom I am still in touch with today," Snyder said. "Sharon Schwartz was a big one for me. She was really knowledgeable and gave me a ton of insight. Cortland Selman and Terry Kayser were also people who gave me guidance and experience."
The most impactful connection came through Eastern alumnus Phil Incarnati.
Incarnati serves as the president and chief executive officer of McLaren Health Care. Through Eastern's network, he welcomed Snyder into the organization for a summer internship. The opportunity placed Snyder in a professional environment where he observed leadership decisions at the highest level.
"It was an incredible experience to be able to work for Phil Incarnati and the rest of the crew over there," Snyder said. "I was able to sit and learn and shadow the CEO, the CFO, sit in meetings, and listen to how they operate and watch the communication they have."
For Snyder, the internship became more than a line on a résumé. It became a classroom where lessons from athletics translated into the business world.
Athletes spend years building discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills. The internship showed Snyder how those same traits shape successful organizations.
"One thing that helped me was learning how to channel the positive attributes that we have as athletes into your professional career," Snyder said. "The work ethic, communication, leadership, all the different things you get from playing football apply directly to the workforce."
Eastern Michigan's coaching staff played a critical role in making the connection possible.
Head Coach Chris Creighton built a program focused on leadership development. Players learn accountability, discipline, and responsibility through daily expectations. Snyder said those principles created habits that extend well beyond football.
"Coach Creighton's program prepares you for the next stage of life because they coach leadership," Snyder said. "He believes in doing things the right way, whether it is going to class or being on time."
Snyder experienced that lesson firsthand.
"I remember there was something I did at practice that he did not like, and it violated one of our principles," Snyder said. "Being the starting quarterback, he could have let it slide, but he stood on his principles and said, ' You are not practicing the first part of practice today."
Moments like that reinforce the culture within the program. Leadership standards apply to every player, regardless of position.
The consistency prepares athletes for environments where accountability matters.
"Everything we do has helped translate into my professional career," Snyder said. "Those same things apply when I am working in an office setting with a business."
Coaches also helped guide Snyder toward professional opportunities.
"I think Coach Creighton himself played a huge role in my professional growth because he helped me get an internship with McLaren Health as well as Jeff Collett and Mike Piatkowski," Snyder said. "Those guys were unbelievably gracious and willing to give me opportunities and put me in touch with people."
Mentorship, Snyder explained, creates opportunity. Effort determines what happens next.
"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make him drink," Snyder said. "They gave me relationships and opportunities, but it was up to me what I did with them."
The experience strengthened Snyder's appreciation for Eastern's alumni community. Former players and graduates remain connected to the program through events like Empty the Nest and through professional mentorship.
For Snyder, the support left a lasting impression.
"I would want them to know they truly changed my life and changed the trajectory of my professional career," Snyder said. "I am forever grateful for the opportunities they gave me."
The lessons also shaped how Snyder views the future.
Many student-athletes struggle with uncertainty when their playing careers end. Snyder encourages younger players to approach career exploration with patience and curiosity.
"I would tell them I am still unsure about my career path," Snyder said. "You do not have to have everything figured out when you are in college."
He encourages athletes to explore opportunities, identify personal strengths, and build goals beyond competition.
"Think about why you loved the sport you played," Snyder said. "For me, it was leading people, communicating, being around others, and having goals to reach."
Those traits helped him succeed at quarterback. They also guide his growth in professional football and business settings.
Today, Snyder continues his journey in the CFL. The small-town athlete from Lakewood, N.Y., now competes at the professional level while building the next chapter of his career.
Yet the foundation remains tied to his time at Eastern Michigan.
The mentorship he received, the standards he learned, and the relationships he built continue to guide him.
When asked to summarize the impact of his time at Eastern, Snyder paused before answering.
"Going to Eastern Michigan University and playing football for Coach Creighton was the best decision I ever made in my life," Snyder said. "Not only on the field but off the field, all the opportunities they gave me and everything they taught me about being a man and standing on principles."
Stories like Snyder's define the purpose behind Powered by Eastern. Donor support fuels mentorship programs, leadership development, and scholarship opportunities that shape student-athletes long after their final game.
Each connection builds the next generation of leaders.
Each mentor strengthens the legacy.
Each student athlete carries the mission forward.
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