Feb. 20, 2009

LOGAN, Utah -
By Raelle Cunningham, USU Athletics Media Relations

California native, Danyelle Snelgro, came to Utah State University to be part of something new, and it turned out to be more than she ever imagined.

In 2004, the USU's women's basketball team came back after 16 years of not having a team and having an opportunity to join this up and coming team Snelgro said, "I wanted to be part of something new and start a good legacy."

She has done this by being an extraordinary captain and leader for her team the past three seasons and has continued to lead and guide her team through life. Snelgro has been a captain at Utah State three of her four season, earning the honor after her freshman year.

Snelgro does not just lead her team on the court but is an example to her teammates in the classroom. She said that she is not the smartest student, but she tries hard to make the grades and better her life.

"I have confidence, commitment and courage, and use these attributes to lead by example. When things don't go right, I just have to stand up and take the fall for it," Snelgro said.

The Western Athletic Conference recently recognized Snelgro's talent as a leader and basketball player and named her the Player of the Week on Feb. 9 after scoring a career-high 29 points in the Aggies' first-ever win at Nevada.

Do not be fooled by Snelgro's small 5-5 stature, she said, "I work just as hard if not harder than my teammates to play the best I can." Snelgro recently broke USU's all-time steals record with her 176th grab against Louisiana Tech on Jan. 10.

Snelgro almost did not get a chance to play basketball for a Division I college basketball team because she grew up attending three different high schools and she said, "It made it hard for colleges to keep up with me." But USU found a way to snatch her up before other universities even had a chance.

"USU is a great team to play for," Snelgro said. "We get a lot of support from the students and community here in Logan."

Snelgro noted the need for support from her school and community was important but her family is really the only support she needs.

Paul Neal, Danny's step-father, was all the inspiration she needed to succeed in basketball. When Snelgro was a child she wished to be a track athlete but soon found that she had a talent for basketball and decided to pursue it through junior high and high school.

"My step dad was really there for me and helped me have a desire to play more competitively," Snelgro said.

Snelgro is the first in her family to attend a four-year university and will be graduating in May with a degree in interdisciplinary studies.

Snelgro is grateful for her opportunity to play for USU and said, "I try not to think about what I would be doing if I did not play basketball but it is a great way to get into college and achieve your dreams."

The guard has managed to turn her dreams into one of the most successful players in Utah State women's basketball history as will end her Aggie career in the top 10 in several catergories, including steals, assists and games played.

After college, Danyelle wants to move on to play overseas and someday become a coach. She and the four other seniors on the USU team have been invited to the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's (WBCA) So You Want To Be A Coach program.

Danyelle said, "I want to play until my legs fall off and after that I will coach."