VIDEO: YAGER MARKS' INDUCTION CEREMONY VIDEO
Yager Marks is well-recognized throughout the Shenandoah Valley as a leader, through his on-field accomplishments as a captain and standout player on the Bridgewater College football and baseball teams, and more recently as a beloved teacher and coach in the Harrisonburg City school system.
Yager grew up in Wolftown, Virginia, and came to Bridgewater in 1962 after receiving an academic scholarship from the Armstrong Foundation. As a freshman in 1963, Yager played on Bridgewater's Mason-Dixon Conference championship baseball team and was named co-captain for his sophomore and junior seasons. In his junior year, he earned second-team All-Mason-Dixon honors as an outfielder after hitting .358. His senior campaign was even more impressive, as he batted .442 and was named to the All-Mason-Dixon first team. Most importantly, however, is the fact that Bridgewater posted winning seasons in baseball during each of Yager's four years and won over 60 percent of its games during that period.
Yager stood out on the football field as well, where he played offense, defense and all specialty teams. He was given the team's Most Inspirational Player award in 1964, a year in which Yager also garnered honorable mention All-Mason-Dixon laurels as on offensive back. As a senior, Yager was honored as a tri-captain of the 1965 team and was selected to the All-Mason-Dixon first team as a halfback and the All-Virginia Small College first team as a defensive back.
Since graduating from Bridgewater in 1966, Yager has spent over 30 years as a science and biology teacher in the Harrisonburg City school system, where he has been a favorite among students. As an educator, he received recognition as "Model Teacher," "Outstanding Teacher" and "Excellence in Teaching" awards. In 1969, he received a Master of Science degree in education from James Madison University.
While teaching, Yager also remained active in athletics for more than a decade as a coach in baseball, football and golf at Harrisonburg High School. Yager spent 12 years as Harrisonburg's head baseball coach, where he compiled an 118-85 overall record, and two years as the head golf coach. He also served as an assistant football coach for 14 seasons.
Yager Marks was a superior athlete at Bridgewater College and a person who used his leadership skills learned on the playing field to further the knowledge and character of young people for more than 30 years. His athletic prowess and dedication as a teacher make Yager a model choice for the Bridgewater Athletic Hall of Fame.
