Hall of Fame
As a player Brian Yaniger’s game was decent, but as the Tigers’ golf coach his guidance put Towson University’s program on the map, earning him a spot in its Athletic Hall of Fame.
Brian swung his first club when he was 13. He played number two at Milford Mill High School during his interscholastic career prior to attending Loyola College where he co-captained the Greyhounds’ 1972 team. As an alum he later captured medalist honors at Loyola’s alumni tournament.
“I was a decent player but not a really good player,” Brian mentioned. “But I was a smart player. I knew when to try to hit it over the water and when not to, to play it safe. In coaching, that’s what I brought to the team. I didn’t change anyone’s swing or grip. I stressed to our players the importance of making the right decisions and to think about every shot.”
In 1996 Brian answered a newspaper ad announcing Towson was seeking a golf coach for its Tiger men’s team. The job was part-time, but not to him. He devoted the ensuing 20 years to building a very competitive program.
Initially Brian recruited heavily in the Baltimore metropolitan area. If the Tigers wanted to make noise on the collegiate circuit, however, he had to expand those efforts. After a successful recruiting year that yielded the Baltimore area’s three best golfers, the Tigers started playing well. Towson’s name spread. As the program began its climb up the leaderboard Brian’s recruiting trips got longer, taking him to Bradenton, Fla. and IMG Academy, the ultimate prep school for student-athletes focused on continuing their sports careers at a high level. He also found success up North, eventually convincing high school state champions to attend Towson.
The results of his labors were impressive. Under his tutelage the Tigers won three conference titles (two America East, one Colonial Athletic Association), captured 12 tournament championships and earned four NCAA tournament berths. He was recognized as Coach of the Year twice by America East and three times by the CAA. He was twice named Towson’s Coach of the Year. In 2005 he was selected Mid-Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. Eleven of his players earned First Team All-Conference honors, of those four were conference tournament medalists. Two players were named CAA Golfer of the Year, two others were selected as CAA Rookie of the Year. Brian’s players excelled academically as well. His squads consistently achieved the highest term GPA among Towson men’s squads. One of his players was the CAA’s Scholar-Athlete for Golf. Another player was honored as a first team Arthur Ashe Scholar All-American. Two of his players were named to the CAA’s 25th Anniversary Team.
In 2006 Towson initiated a women’s program. Brian directed both teams until 2010. One of his recruits won the 2011 PGA of America Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, becoming the first student-athlete at Towson to win an individual national title.
