Butler soccer great Schnur joining HOF
DENVER, Colo. — Meghan Schnur isn’t through with soccer yet.
The 2003 Butler graduate who went on to a stellar soccer career at the high school, college, U.S. women’s national and professional levels, now works as a physical therapist for Panther Physical Therapy in Littleton, Colo. She also coaches in the Colorado Rush soccer program with the under-17 and under-12 girls teams.
“I got involved in those programs as soon as I got out here,” Schnur said of her two teams. “I find it equally refreshing working with both age levels.
“The U-12s are so eager to learn and haven’t developed any bad habits yet. The U-17s continue to execute technique. I even have the U-17 girls work with the U-12s — kind of a big sister thing.”
Schnur’s own playing career will be refreshed April 23, when she is inducted into the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame during the organization’s annual banquet at 6 p.m., at the Butler Days Inn.
“My hometown will always have a special place in my heart,” Schnur said. “So many great people and great athletes have come through Butler High School and Butler County. I’m honored to become a part of it.
“When you’re in the moment in athletics, you don’t realize it. You don’t take the time to appreciate what a sport has done for you.”
Soccer has done plenty for Schnur.
She played in a state championship game in high school, NCAA title game with the University of Connecticut and won a pro women’s soccer championship with SkyBlue FC.
She was a member of the Beadling Soccer Club/PA West four-time champions.
She was an all-state player, Regional All-American and National All-American in high school.
She was Gatorade and NSCAA Pennsylvania Player of the Year.
She was Big East Conference Rookie of the Year, Midfielder of the Year and was named team captain at UConn.
She was Women’s Premiere Soccer League MVP with the New England Mutiny.
She has visited numerous countries through the U.S. soccer national team and was on the U-23 team that won the gold medal at the Nordic Cup Tournament.
She was the 11th overall selection in the inaugural Women’s Pro Soccer League Draft.
She became the first female inducted into the WPIAL Hall of Fame.
“I never realized how blessed I was,” Schnur admitted. “What always motivated me was that no matter how much work or time I put in, there’s always somebody out there doing more.”
Her father, Butler High School principal Jeff Schnur, has been a high school soccer coach.
“Massive would be understating the impact he’s had on me in soccer,” Schnur said. “My brother (Andrew), Dad and I used to play our own soccer games in the backyard all the time.
“I was 5 years old and hanging around the high school boys team. I still talk to my dad on a weekly basis about coaching. It’s a nice bond we’ve formed.”
Schnur is hopeful she will one day be joined in the county HOF by former high school teammate Annie Lowry.
“There’s no reason to think she won’t get in,” Schnur said. “She had an outstanding high school and Division I (James Madison) college career.
“We were both fortunate to play with an outstanding group of girls. It takes multiple players to reach the state finals and we all grew up playing soccer together though U-10s and U-12s ... We were lucky to grow up with such a great group of friends.
“We all love soccer,” she added.
Tickets for the Butler County Sports Hall of Fame banquet are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. They are available at bcshof.com, Parker’s Appliance in Chicora, Saxonburg Drug, Moses Jewelers, Snack n’ Pack and Bill’s Beer Barn in Butler.