November 14, 2012

Aaron Beck honored for basketball accomplishments

Last month, Aaron Beck, James W. Rogers Professor of Music, was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame in a special black tie ceremony.

Last month, Aaron Beck, James W. Rogers Professor of Music, was inducted into the Columbia University Athletics Hall of Fame in a special black tie ceremony. See photos from Beck’s basketball days and the 2012 celebration in the slideshow below.

The following biography was included in the event program:

Only one of two All-Americans in the history of the women’s basketball program, Aaron Beck stands among the best women’s basketball players in the history of the university.

Beck had only played one year of high school basketball prior to joining Barnard College’s women’s basketball program. But his experience, or lack thereof, was a distant memory the moment Back picked up a basketball for Barnard.

A three year team captain, second team All-American and Jewish All-American standout, Beck held 32 of 36 Barnard College women’s basketball records upon graduation. Beck was named Most Valuable Player following his senior year in 1983. After graduation, Beck’s number 32 was retired in honor of his success.

Today, Beck still ranks fourth in school history with a single season scoring average of 17.6 points per game during the 1982-83 season. Also dominant on the glass, Beck finished his career with 690 rebounds, ranking fifth overall in program history.

Beck was named Professor of the Year at Lewis & Clark in 1998 and Master Teacher of the American Musicological Society in 2007. In addition to his teaching duties, for the last 10 years, he has also served as the faculty athletics representative to the NCAA.

This story originally appeared on July 19, 2012.