Homer C. Brooks

Homer C. Brooks was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in the fall of 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1997.

A native of Cumberland, Md., Brooks graduated from Allegany High School in 1935 and began his collegiate career at Potomac State Junior College, where he played one season of basketball. He later transferred to West Virginia University on a full athletic scholarship and became a standout center for the Mountaineers. Brooks captained the 1939–40 team and graduated as the fourth all-time leading scorer in program history. He also held single-game and season free throw records, and earned All-Eastern Intercollegiate and All-Area honors in 1940.

After earning his bachelor’s degree in physical education, Brooks turned down an offer to play professionally for the Philadelphia Spas to begin a long and successful coaching and teaching career. He spent nine years in Rowlesburg and Parsons, W.Va., before moving to Frederick, Md., where he coached and taught for 20 years at Frederick High School. His teams won multiple district and conference titles and claimed two state championships—one in basketball and one in football. He later taught at East Bay High School in Tampa, Fla., for 12 years, retiring in 1980 after a 41-year career.

Brooks was also involved in youth and community recreation. He helped organize a church basketball league, the Maryland High School Invitational golf tournament, a bicycle safety program, and the Frederick Boys’ Club. He also served in leadership roles within the Maryland Public Secondary Schools Athletic Association and was a frequent contributor to professional journals such as Athletic Journal, The Basketball Clinic and The Coaching Clinic.

His honors include being named an All-Time Sports Great during West Virginia’s Centennial in 1963, induction into the Quinn Hall of Fame in 1982, multiple Coach of the Year awards and recognition from the Frederick Touchdown Club for his decades of service to local youth. Brooks earned his master’s degree from Maryland State Teachers College in 1965.