Today’s Teacher Feature, we talk to History teacher, Shaler Alum, State Champion Coach, and Shaler Area Athletics Hall of Famer Mr. Ben Yeckel.

Q: What is you favorite Slang you’ve heard a student use?

A: That’s fire.

Q: What would be your last meal?

A: Ribs from Quaker Steak and Lube and a Diet Pepsi to drink.

Q: What is your most irresponsible purchase you have made?

A: That’s a tough one, but the most irresponsible purchase I’ve ever made has to be a button maker.

Q: Favorite place that you’ve traveled to?

A: Las Vegas had a great time when I went there. I lost some money but had a great time. 

Q: Favorite Concert that you’ve attended or been to?

A: That’s easy, 1999 Foo Fighters Concert at PPG paints, circa 2010, every song was the best song that night.

Q: If Mr. Yeckel has a night to himself what is he doing?

A: Pouring a hard drink turning the tv on and sprawling out

Q: What was the first car that you drove?

A: That’s another easy one — the first car I drove was a 1994 Geo Prizm

Q: What is your fattest moment?

A: Eating 61 wings at a Quaker Steak an Lube 30 minutes outside of Westminster, me and a few buddy’s would go there and one day I ate 61 wings of all flavors they had. 

Q: Advice to younger self?

A: Calm down, relax, slow down

Q: If you could buy an exotic animal what would it be?

A: A tiger, I don’t know where I would store it but I would have a tiger. 

Q: If you could talk to anyone dead or alive for thirty minutes who would it be and why?

A: Satchell Paige and ask him about the differences from pitching in the Negro Leagues and Minor Leagues. 

Q: What’s your favorite things about being a baseball coach?

A: Seeing former players around the community. Seeing my players succeed is also a very good thing to see as their former coach. 

Q: Did you enjoy going to the state championship as a player or as a coach more?

A: Definitely as a coach because we won. No one wants to go to a Championship and come home with a loss.