Bill Becker
Encyclopedia
Bill Becker was an American journalist
noted for his coverage of nuclear weapons tests, political campaigns, scientific advances, and major sporting events. He covered over 25 Rose Bowls
and five World Series
.
.
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.
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
noted for his coverage of nuclear weapons tests, political campaigns, scientific advances, and major sporting events. He covered over 25 Rose Bowls
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
and five World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
.
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 StaggAmos Alonzo Stagg
Amos Alonzo Stagg was an American athlete and pioneering college coach in multiple sports, primarily American football...
.
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 PressAssociated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
and covered numerous atomic tests. In 1956 he began a long career at The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
which resulted in over 600 Times articles. In 1957 he spent five months in Antarctica as a Times reporter during the International Geophysical Year
International Geophysical Year
The International Geophysical Year was an international scientific project that lasted from July 1, 1957, to December 31, 1958. It marked the end of a long period during the Cold War when scientific interchange between East and West was seriously interrupted...
.
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
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center and NASA field center located in the San Gabriel Valley area of Los Angeles County, California, United States. The facility is headquartered in the city of Pasadena on the border of La Cañada Flintridge and Pasadena...
in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, 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.Selected articles
- Becker, Bill, Fiery Cloud Dims the Sun as ‘Medium” Rips Desert, Washington Post, October 29, 1951, p. 12
- Becker, Bill, The Man Who Sets Off Atomic Bombs, Saturday Evening Post, April 19, 1952, p. 32–33, 185–188.
- Becker, Bill, 100 U.S. Scientists Briefed on International Geophysical Year, The New York Times Sep 17, 1957. p. 18
- Becker, Bill, Delays are Seen on Man in Space,; Von Braun and Others Cite Hazards—Hit on Moon by Rocket Is Doubted, New York Times Nov 24, 1958. p. 15
- 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
- Becker, Bill, Angels Doing Well... Except at Gate; Coast Club Drawing Poorly but Autry Is Optimistic New York Times May 14, 1961. p. S2
- 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
- Becker, Bill, Stagg Gets a Nationwide Salute; President Is Among Well-Wishers for a Happy Birthday Grand Old Man of Football, Now 100, Still Speaks Out, The New York Times Aug 17, 1962. p. 15
- Becker, Bill, Cuba Quarantine Is Urged By Nixon; He Proposes Kennedy Take 'Stronger Action' at Once The New York Times Sep 19, 1962. p. 1
- Becker, Bill, Hoffa Testifies in Los Angeles; Barely Misses Robert Kennedy; The New York Times Feb 14, 1963. p. 4
- Becker, Bill, Negroes on Coast March at Project; Say Developer Refuses to Sell Homes to Nonwhites New York Times Jun 30, 1963. p. 46
- Becker, Bill, O. J. Simpson Goes From Goat to Hero With 9-Yard Run; New York Times Oct 20, 1968. p. S4