On Nov. 7 at 6 p.m., College of DuPage Athletics Operations and Compliance Assistant Brian Yaeger will be inducted into the Missouri Baptist University Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame. 

Yaeger, who joined the Chaparral Athletics staff in September, has quickly proven why his experience and expertise are invaluable, both on and off the field. 

College of DuPage Athletic Director Ryan Kaiser said Yaeger's honor is well deserved. 

"Brian and I have been friends for more than twenty years," Kaiser said. "We were introduced by a fellow coach and mentor, Andy Carter, who was the director of athletics when both Brian and I worked for him at Newberry College. We worked so many games together as game management staff that we developed a friendship that continues to this day." 

"I'm really happy that Missouri Baptist is recognizing Brian for his excellence as a baseball player there. The stories he's told me about his time there are legendary. Brian is a first-class individual, and I could not be more proud of him, his accomplishments, and him being part of the College of DuPage athletic staff." 

Yaeger's collegiate career at Missouri Baptist spanned from 1995 to 1997. In 1996, he earned NAIA All-American honors and was named the American Midwest Conference Offensive Player of the Year and South Independent League Player of the Year, among several other regional distinctions. He batted .406 with 15 home runs and 63 hits in 52 games. The following year, he hit .402 and broke the Missouri Baptist single-season record for walks. 

Reflecting on the honor, Yaeger said the recognition carries special meaning nearly three decades later. 

"They didn't really have computer systems back then to track statistics on a school website," Yaeger said. "So I think our teams and what we did kind of got lost to history. I'm glad, it took 28 years, but we're finally getting some recognition for that. 

Yaeger credited his parents, Clarence and Pat Yaeger, for helping preserve his achievements. 

"My mom kept records of everything," he said. "That's really the only reason they had the info, they were able to see all the different awards and things like that because she kept it." 

"They supported me through the years, driving me all around the state for baseball and hockey, sacrificing their time and money," he said. "Being a parent myself now, I realize the sacrifice it takes to have multiple kids, running them around, and the time away from home." 

Yaeger is also thankful to his former coach, Cam Walker, from his time at Indian Hills Community College. 

"[Carter] is also in the Hall of Fame at Missouri Baptist, and he'll be the one introducing me, which is really cool." Yaeger said. "When he was coaching, he won seven straight conference championships and just as many Coach of the Year awards. We had really good teams back then that nobody really knows about. It's going to be nice to share that and be recognized from back then." 

For Yaeger, the ceremony isn't just about individual achievement, it's about reflection and gratitude.

"For me, it's about being able to thank the people who helped me get there," he said. "I had the easy job. I just got to go out and play baseball, which I loved. My coaches, my parents, they sacrificed so much. That's part of why I'm doing this now, too. I want to give back and volunteer with the baseball team and hopefully pay forward what was given to me." 

Now a volunteer coach for the Chaparral baseball program, Yaeger hopes to instill the same lessons in today's players. 

"I just want to help these guys increase their baseball IQ and play with more of an old-school mentality instead of the flashiness you see today," he said. "Be an inspiration that you can come from a small town in Wisconsin, where baseball isn't' even the main sport, and through hard work, get wherever you want to go." 

Information regarding Brian Yaeger's Hall of Fame Induction can be found on the Missouri Baptist University Athletics website: HERE