"Mark was a great man and a great friend."”

Dutch Fork boys basketball coach Brett Jones.

Mark Snelgrove’s 7-month battle with pancreatic cancer tragically ended Sunday at home. 

The 60-year Chapin High boys’ basketball coach was diagnosed back in September. He spent the remaining months seeking treatment while still coaching the team and spent his final days in hospice care. 

“Coach Mark Snellgrove passed away this morning,” tweeted Midland Valley High School Sports, where Snelgrove spent 10 seasons and led the boys’ basketball team to the 2015 Class 3A title. “He enriched the lives of so many members of the Mustang family. Please keep his family in your prayers.

News about the Chapin High School’s passing also drew reaction from players and former head coaches. 

“Thank you for everything you have done and will do in the future for me and my family,” Chapin senior forward Maddux Harrell posted on Twitter with a picture hugging Snelgrove. “Love you coach. I will miss you.”

“We will miss you so very much Coach Snelgrove,” tweeted by Chapin Varsity Basketball. “Thank you for all the hard work and dedication you put in to our boys program. Our thoughts and prayers  are with his family, friends and players.” 

“Great man,” River Bluff head coach Benjamin Lee said. “I always enjoyed our conversations. He was always available to listen and help as I was getting started as a coach. I will definitely miss him.”

A Lexington native, Snelgrove arrived at Chapin in 2017 after turning around the Midland Valley boys’ basketball program. He took a program that was winless upon his arrival and led them to 152 victories in 10 seasons and 2 straight Class 3A title games appearances in 2015 and 2016. 

Snelgrove was named S.C. Basketball Coaches Association’s Coach of the Year and coached in the 2018 North-South All-Star Classic at alma mater Lexington High School. 

This past season, Chapin posted its most wins (12) under Snelgrove which included a Jan. 14 victory over eventual Class 5A Lower State champion Dutch Fork.

“I’ve known Coach Snelgrove a long time,” Silver Foxes head coach Brett Jones said. “He coached me in the recreation league when I was 12. He coached with me at White Knoll in 2004 and 2005. Mark was a great man and a great friend. He would do anything for you. Mark loved to compete in whatever he was doing. I will miss Mark as a friend and colleague.”