William Beck (1989) - Hall of Fame - Miami University RedHawks

William Beck

Induction:
1989

Dr. Beck served as Miami's team physician from 1940 through 1975. a 1938 graduate of medical school at Ohio State, he came to Oxford "temporarily" in 1940 awaiting an appointment to the Mayo Clinic, or going into the Air Corp as a flight surgeon. Within two years, Miami became a center for V-5 and V-12 officers' training. He became friends with Miami's trainer Jay Colville and was asked to help as team physician with football, basketball and track.

"I could tell stories by the hour about great and interesting people- coaches, players, etc., with whom I worked- memorable, nostalgic and at times trying, but never boring," Beck remarked. "I will never forget the Sun Bowl football game in 1948 when Ara Parseghian separated his shoulder, Doc Urich had four teeth knocked out and Wayne Gibson suffered a broken leg. Jay and I had only an ether can for an anesthetic. As for the coaches I worked with- Woody Hayes was impossible and Ara and John Pont were the most fun," recalled Beck. A native of Napoleon, Ohio, he served the Oxford community for over four decades as a physician.