PORT TOWNSEND — With Super Bowl fever sweeping Washington like a Shaun Alexander end run, Port Townsend football novices were given the chance to increase their knowledge of the game on Thursday during a Football 101 class held at Port Townsend Public Library.
About 10 people attended to listen to coach Nick Snyder, 40, of Port Townsend, explain the fundamentals of football, from a blitz to a tight end and everything in between.
Snyder said he hoped the class would provide greater enjoyment to people when they watch Sunday’s Super Bowl XL game between the Seattle Seahawks and Pittsburgh Steelers being played in Detroit.
Aside from generating interest in the game, Port Townsend Librarian Theresa Percy said she hopes that special programs such as Snyder’s also will generate interest in the Lawrence Street facility.
Percy also has started a library program that offers singles a place to meet others.
Coach for 14 years
Snyder has coached football intermittently for the past 14 years at Central Washington University in Ellensburg and at Port Townsend High School.
He played the coach’s part in front of Thursday night’s audience as he pointed to diagrams of formations and positions.
Snyder’s enthusiasm for explaining the different plays outlined on a poster seemed like he was coaching the group to suit up and take the field.
Snyder quoted former Seattle Seahawks coach Chuck Knox saying, “Football is full contact chess. There are so many different schemes. This would have to be a six-month class to teach everything.”
In attendance were people familiar with the game, but most came to learn the rudimentary aspects, inspired by the Seahawks making it for the first time in their 30-year history to the Super Bowl.
“I thought I would raise by level of understanding of some of the terminology and the play formations,” said Joe Davis of Port Townsend.
“Even though I’m not much of a football fan, this is a big moment for the Seahawks.”