Bill Becker

Bill Becker (November 10, 1916, Chicago, Illinois – January 27, 2010, Santa Monica, California) was an American journalist noted for his coverage of nuclear weapons tests,[1] political campaigns, scientific advances,[2] and major sporting events. He covered over 25 Rose Bowls and five World Series.[3]

Contents

Education

Becker attended the College of the Pacific, now the University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton, CA. While there he played football under the legendary coach, Amos Alonzo Stagg.

Career

Following his graduation from the University of the Pacific, Becker started his journalism career at the Arizona Republic. In 1944 he joined the Associated Press and covered numerous atomic tests. In 1956 he began a long career at The New York Times which resulted in over 600 Times articles. In 1957 he spent five months in Antarctica as a Times reporter during the International Geophysical Year.

From 1964 through 1966 he worked as writer for Universal Studios, returning to journalism in 1966 as a science writer for Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, while continuing to cover major sporting events for The New York Times.

Awards

Becker was awarded the University of the Pacific's Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit in 2008.[4]

Selected articles

References

  1. ^ Becker, Bill, U.S. A-bomb Test for Peaceful Use Frees Radiation; Vapor Cloud Escapes Cave in New Mexico Blast – A.E.C. Doubts Danger New York Times Dec 11, 1961. p. 1
  2. ^ Becker, Bill, X-15 Flies 2,650 M.P.H., Cracking Record; 9-Minute Desert Test Utilizes New Engine With Giant Thrust The New York Times Mar 8, 1961. p. 1
  3. ^ University of the Pacific, Amos Alonzo Stagg Award of Merit Commendation, February 2008.
  4. ^ http://web.pacific.edu/x21327.xml