Provided by Gene Hill, #46927304 :
Bill Beckwith, Mr. Auburn, passes away at age 68
AUBURN - Bill Beckwith, who teamed with Jeff Beard and Ralph Jordan to bring Auburn's athletic program from near bankruptcy to national prominence in the 1950s, died Thursday at his home in Auburn. He was 68.
Forty-three of Beckwith's years were spent working at Auburn. Beckwith began working in Auburn's sports publicity office as a student assistant in 1949. He was named Sports Publicist in 1951 when Jordan was named head football coach.
Beard, Auburn's athletic director, made him director of ticket sales and public relations after Auburn's national championship football season of 1957. Beckwith developed Auburn's season ticket and priority plans which made Auburn one of the nation's most successful athletic programs. At a time when many schools were struggling to operate in the black, Auburn's season ticket and priority programs became models for schools across the nation. After retiring in 1992, the centennial year of Auburn athletics, Beckwith devoted much of his time to the Alabama Sheriff's Girl's Ranch near Auburn.
"Bill Beckwith devoted his life to Auburn," said current Athletic Director David Housel. "A lot of people are called 'Mr. Auburn,' but 'Mr. B.' was 'Mr. Auburn.'
"In my 30 year association with Auburn, I have never known anyone who cared more about Auburn than 'Mr. B' did. Coach Beard and Coach Jordan get a lot of credit for bringing Auburn's athletic program back to prominence, but they could not have done what they did without the help, support and vision of Bill Beckwith.
"We are still benefiting from his vision and leadership and Auburn always will. He truly believed in Auburn and loved it."
A native of Americus, Ga., Beckwith leaves behind his wife Marjorie. He had five children, including former major league and Auburn pitcher Joe Beckwith. A memorial service will be held in Beckwith's honor Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church.
Originally published in the Huntsville Times on Friday, February 16, 1996
Bill Beckwith, Mr. Auburn, passes away at age 68
AUBURN - Bill Beckwith, who teamed with Jeff Beard and Ralph Jordan to bring Auburn's athletic program from near bankruptcy to national prominence in the 1950s, died Thursday at his home in Auburn. He was 68.
Forty-three of Beckwith's years were spent working at Auburn. Beckwith began working in Auburn's sports publicity office as a student assistant in 1949. He was named Sports Publicist in 1951 when Jordan was named head football coach.
Beard, Auburn's athletic director, made him director of ticket sales and public relations after Auburn's national championship football season of 1957. Beckwith developed Auburn's season ticket and priority plans which made Auburn one of the nation's most successful athletic programs. At a time when many schools were struggling to operate in the black, Auburn's season ticket and priority programs became models for schools across the nation. After retiring in 1992, the centennial year of Auburn athletics, Beckwith devoted much of his time to the Alabama Sheriff's Girl's Ranch near Auburn.
"Bill Beckwith devoted his life to Auburn," said current Athletic Director David Housel. "A lot of people are called 'Mr. Auburn,' but 'Mr. B.' was 'Mr. Auburn.'
"In my 30 year association with Auburn, I have never known anyone who cared more about Auburn than 'Mr. B' did. Coach Beard and Coach Jordan get a lot of credit for bringing Auburn's athletic program back to prominence, but they could not have done what they did without the help, support and vision of Bill Beckwith.
"We are still benefiting from his vision and leadership and Auburn always will. He truly believed in Auburn and loved it."
A native of Americus, Ga., Beckwith leaves behind his wife Marjorie. He had five children, including former major league and Auburn pitcher Joe Beckwith. A memorial service will be held in Beckwith's honor Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church.
Originally published in the Huntsville Times on Friday, February 16, 1996
Provided by Gene Hill, #46927304 :
Bill Beckwith, Mr. Auburn, passes away at age 68
AUBURN - Bill Beckwith, who teamed with Jeff Beard and Ralph Jordan to bring Auburn's athletic program from near bankruptcy to national prominence in the 1950s, died Thursday at his home in Auburn. He was 68.
Forty-three of Beckwith's years were spent working at Auburn. Beckwith began working in Auburn's sports publicity office as a student assistant in 1949. He was named Sports Publicist in 1951 when Jordan was named head football coach.
Beard, Auburn's athletic director, made him director of ticket sales and public relations after Auburn's national championship football season of 1957. Beckwith developed Auburn's season ticket and priority plans which made Auburn one of the nation's most successful athletic programs. At a time when many schools were struggling to operate in the black, Auburn's season ticket and priority programs became models for schools across the nation. After retiring in 1992, the centennial year of Auburn athletics, Beckwith devoted much of his time to the Alabama Sheriff's Girl's Ranch near Auburn.
"Bill Beckwith devoted his life to Auburn," said current Athletic Director David Housel. "A lot of people are called 'Mr. Auburn,' but 'Mr. B.' was 'Mr. Auburn.'
"In my 30 year association with Auburn, I have never known anyone who cared more about Auburn than 'Mr. B' did. Coach Beard and Coach Jordan get a lot of credit for bringing Auburn's athletic program back to prominence, but they could not have done what they did without the help, support and vision of Bill Beckwith.
"We are still benefiting from his vision and leadership and Auburn always will. He truly believed in Auburn and loved it."
A native of Americus, Ga., Beckwith leaves behind his wife Marjorie. He had five children, including former major league and Auburn pitcher Joe Beckwith. A memorial service will be held in Beckwith's honor Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church.
Originally published in the Huntsville Times on Friday, February 16, 1996
Bill Beckwith, Mr. Auburn, passes away at age 68
AUBURN - Bill Beckwith, who teamed with Jeff Beard and Ralph Jordan to bring Auburn's athletic program from near bankruptcy to national prominence in the 1950s, died Thursday at his home in Auburn. He was 68.
Forty-three of Beckwith's years were spent working at Auburn. Beckwith began working in Auburn's sports publicity office as a student assistant in 1949. He was named Sports Publicist in 1951 when Jordan was named head football coach.
Beard, Auburn's athletic director, made him director of ticket sales and public relations after Auburn's national championship football season of 1957. Beckwith developed Auburn's season ticket and priority plans which made Auburn one of the nation's most successful athletic programs. At a time when many schools were struggling to operate in the black, Auburn's season ticket and priority programs became models for schools across the nation. After retiring in 1992, the centennial year of Auburn athletics, Beckwith devoted much of his time to the Alabama Sheriff's Girl's Ranch near Auburn.
"Bill Beckwith devoted his life to Auburn," said current Athletic Director David Housel. "A lot of people are called 'Mr. Auburn,' but 'Mr. B.' was 'Mr. Auburn.'
"In my 30 year association with Auburn, I have never known anyone who cared more about Auburn than 'Mr. B' did. Coach Beard and Coach Jordan get a lot of credit for bringing Auburn's athletic program back to prominence, but they could not have done what they did without the help, support and vision of Bill Beckwith.
"We are still benefiting from his vision and leadership and Auburn always will. He truly believed in Auburn and loved it."
A native of Americus, Ga., Beckwith leaves behind his wife Marjorie. He had five children, including former major league and Auburn pitcher Joe Beckwith. A memorial service will be held in Beckwith's honor Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Auburn United Methodist Church.
Originally published in the Huntsville Times on Friday, February 16, 1996
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