Fred Becker
Encyclopedia
Fred H. Becker was a college football
player for the University of Iowa
. He was a first team All-American in 1916, the first Hawkeye in any sport to earn first team All-American honors. He died at age 22 fighting in World War I
.
Walter Eckersall
of the Chicago Tribune
named Fred Becker a first team All-American. He was the first Hawkeye in any sport to achieve such a high honor. Eckersall wrote, “No matter where he was placed, his work was a feature. He was strong and powerful and quick to size up the attack of his opponents. He seldom failed to open holes for the backs and was on top of the play all year.”
, Becker enlisted. He sailed for France in September 1917, and on July 18, 1918, Becker was killed in action. He died during World War I's Battle of Chateau-Thierry
and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
, America's second highest wartime honor.
Becker's story was forgotten for decades until Mike Chapman, author and historian from Waterloo, began doing research in 2008. He wrote an article on Becker for the Iowa-Purdue Football program of Nov. 15, 2008, and that sparked a great deal of interest around the state. Nearly a year later, in 2009, Becker was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame
. Since no living relatives could be found, Chapman was invited to accept the honor on behalf of Fred Becker, at halftime of the Iowa-Northern Iowa football game on Sept. 5, 2009. Several months later, East Waterloo High School inducted Becker into its athletic hall of fame, with Chapman once again accepting on his behalf.
Fred Becker appeared on the cover of the October 2009 issue of Iowa History Journal, which carried a long story. He is also featured in the 2010 book entitled Triumph and Tragedy: The Inspiring Stories of Football Legends Fred Becker, Jack Trice, Nile Kinnick and Johnny Bright.
On January 10, the Board of Education of the Waterloo school district voted unanimously to name its newest school Fred Becker Elementary.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
player for the University of Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
. He was a first team All-American in 1916, the first Hawkeye in any sport to earn first team All-American honors. He died at age 22 fighting in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
.
Playing career
Fred Becker graduated from Waterloo East High School in 1914. From there, Becker went on to play football for the University of Iowa. In his only season as a sophomore in 1916, Becker was a standout on the Iowa squad. In Iowa’s 19-16 victory over Iowa State, he became the first known Hawkeye to block two opposing punts.Walter Eckersall
Walter Eckersall
Walter "Eckie" Eckersall was an American football player, official, and sportswriter for the Chicago Tribune. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951.-Early life:...
of the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
named Fred Becker a first team All-American. He was the first Hawkeye in any sport to achieve such a high honor. Eckersall wrote, “No matter where he was placed, his work was a feature. He was strong and powerful and quick to size up the attack of his opponents. He seldom failed to open holes for the backs and was on top of the play all year.”
Honors
Fred Becker’s football achievements would end after only one season. Within a month after the United States entered World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, Becker enlisted. He sailed for France in September 1917, and on July 18, 1918, Becker was killed in action. He died during World War I's Battle of Chateau-Thierry
Battle of Château-Thierry (1918)
The Battle of Château-Thierry was fought on 18 July 1918 and was one of the first actions of the American Expeditionary Force under General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing...
and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
, America's second highest wartime honor.
Becker's story was forgotten for decades until Mike Chapman, author and historian from Waterloo, began doing research in 2008. He wrote an article on Becker for the Iowa-Purdue Football program of Nov. 15, 2008, and that sparked a great deal of interest around the state. Nearly a year later, in 2009, Becker was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame
University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame
The University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame is a sports history museum located at the Roy G. Karro Building in Iowa City, Iowa, U.S. The museum pays tribute to the most legendary and influential Iowa Hawkeye sports heroes. Opened in September 2002, The building is located at the northwest...
. Since no living relatives could be found, Chapman was invited to accept the honor on behalf of Fred Becker, at halftime of the Iowa-Northern Iowa football game on Sept. 5, 2009. Several months later, East Waterloo High School inducted Becker into its athletic hall of fame, with Chapman once again accepting on his behalf.
Fred Becker appeared on the cover of the October 2009 issue of Iowa History Journal, which carried a long story. He is also featured in the 2010 book entitled Triumph and Tragedy: The Inspiring Stories of Football Legends Fred Becker, Jack Trice, Nile Kinnick and Johnny Bright.
On January 10, the Board of Education of the Waterloo school district voted unanimously to name its newest school Fred Becker Elementary.