Indiana University of Pennsylvania Athletics

A head coach plays a big role in a basketball team's success, but it is often the work of his staff that is equally important but receives far less of the spotlight. The induction of Tom Beck into the IUP Athletic Hall of Fame is recognition of the integral role of a talented assistant coach.

Beck was brought to IUP by head coach Carl Davis in 1972 and served under him until 1983 when he took over the reins of the program for a five-year stint. With Davis and Beck calling the shots on the bench, the Indians had eight winning seasons in II years, including a 2 1-8 record and PSAC and NAJA district championships in 1973-74.

IUP also had marks of 17-6 the following year and 20-5 in 1975-76, concluding a three year stretch in which the Indians had a record of 58-19. The team also won 17 games in 1980-81 and reached the championship game of the PSAC tournament and matched that win total the following year.

Beck took over as head coach in 1983 and led IUP into the conference playoffs each season including a pair of trips to the semifinals and a 17-win season in 1984-85.
Beck earned his bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock in 1954 and a master's degree from Duquesne in 1961 following a two-year stint in the U.S. Army. He earned four letters in basketball and two in soccer at Slippery Rock and was the team's co-captain and a first team AIIPSAC West selection his senior year.

He was inducted into the Slippery Rock Hall of Fame in 1993. Beck retired as a teacher in 1994 after a 38-year career including his final 22 at IUP.
Beck and his wife, Judie, are the parents of sons David, Greg and Dan and daughter Christi.