Shneyderov, Josh

Shneyderov was the starting center for the University of Cincinnati in the early 2000s. An intelligent, mobile, and strong player, he anchored the Bearcat line.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. January 5, 1981

Career Highlights:
Josh was born to Russian immigrants who arrived in the U.S. two years before Shneyderov was born, settling in Indianapolis, where Josh's uncle worked as an insurance agent. Josh's father, a boxer and wrestler in Russia, became a welder in Indy and immediately became a football fan, rooting for the Colts. An outstanding high school player, Shneyderov enrolled at the University of Cincinnati in 1999 and was redshirted his freshman year.

In 2000, Josh appeared in all of the Bearcats' games as a backup and served as the team's short snapper (on field goals and extra points). That year, he was named to the Conference USA All-Freshman team and also earned the Conference USA Academic Medal with a 3.75 GPA. Cincinnati finished 7-4 in the regular season and played in the Motor City Bowl, losing to Marshall, 25-14. In 2001, he became the team's starting center and received the John Pease Award as the best offensive lineman. The Bearcats went to their second Motor City Bowl after ending the year 7-4. This time, they fell to Toledo, 23-16.

Cincinnati finished the 2002 regular season as co-champion of Conference USA, the first time since 1964 that the school won a conference title. At 7-6 overall (6-2 in conference), they qualified for a bowl game, the first time in school history they played in three consecutive bowl games. On December 17, the Bearcats played North Texas in the New Orleans Bowl (the bowl opener), but lost the tournament, 24-19. A senior in 2003, Shneyderov was named to the pre-season All-Conference USA offensive squad. Considered one of the best centers in the country, Josh was placed on the Rimington Trophy Watch List (awarded to the country's top center) before the season. Cincinnati finished the 2003 season with a record of 5-7.

Origin:
Indianapolis, Indiana

Career Dates:
Shneyderov played at Cincinnati from 1999-2003.

Physical description:
6'2", 272 pounds

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