Luzerne County Community College and Choice One Community Credit Union Dedicate Memorial Bench to Beloved Professor Brooks Yeager

Luzerne County Community College (LCCC), in partnership with Choice One Community Credit Union, proudly dedicated a memorial bench outside Luzerne Hall (Building #4) on the College's main campus in honor of longtime professor and wrestling coach, Brooks Yeager. The bench is located just outside the Science Building, where Professor Yeager spent decades teaching and inspiring students.*

The dedication celebrates both the enduring contributions of Professor Yeager and the generosity of Choice One Community Credit Union, which sponsored the bench as a lasting tribute to a man whose life embodied education, community, and service.

Brooks Yeager began teaching General Biology at LCCC in 1968 and remained a dedicated member of the faculty for over 50 years. Known for his passion for science, wrestling, and his students' success, Yeager's career also included coaching LCCC's first wrestling team, producing a national champion, and serving in numerous educational and community leadership roles.

A standout athlete himself, Yeager was a three-time Wilkes-Barre City wrestling champion, District 2 champion, National Prep School Champion, and an award-winning collegiate wrestler at Wilkes College. His influence extended far beyond the mat, as he introduced Freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling to the Wyoming Valley, coached at multiple schools, officiated wrestling for decades, and volunteered for more than 25 years with the Keystone State Games.

"Brooks was more than a professor?he was a mentor, a coach, and a friend to countless students and colleagues," said LCCC President's John Yudichak. "This bench ensures that his legacy will continue to inspire all who pass by the place he loved."

Choice One Community Credit Union, which has been serving Pennsylvania communities since 1941, saw the project as a meaningful way to give back.

"At Choice One, community is at the heart of everything we do," said Tom Smith, President and CEO of Choice One CU "Brooks Yeager gave so much to his students and to this region. We are honored to play a role in preserving his memory here at LCCC."

Choice One Community Credit Union serves more than 13,000 members across Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wyoming Counties, offering competitive rates, personalized service, and a commitment to local communities.

Brooks Yeager passed away on May 5, 2024, at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Libby, and their children Carli, Maisy, Maggie, Marti, and William. While he is deeply missed, his impact on LCCC and the Wyoming Valley will live on for generations.