Kurt Becker To Enter IBCA Hall of Fame as Friend of BB

When you say the name of Kurt Becker around the Effingham County area, everyone knows his dedication to basketball and the facts. Now that dedication will be awarded as Becker enters the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame as a Friends of Basketball.

Becker, who resides in Altamont, has been the National Trail Conference historian for many years and recently compiled a book called "Hoops! The History of Boys Basketball in Effingham County". Becker will be at Helen Matthes Library Monday, December 10 with a presentation on the book and what makes basketball such an integral part of the Central Illinois experience. He'll be giving his presentation at 6 p.m. and his book will be on sale. For those wishing to attend phone the library at 217-342-2464, ext. 3 or email: hmlib@effinghamlibrary.org or go online and register at www.effinghamlibrary.org.

Becker will enter the IBCA Hall of Fame at a ceremony April 27 at Illinois State University with 27 other Friends of Basketball along with five media, eight officials, two boys teams, three girls teams, five coaches, nine career coaches and 27 players.

Becker has covered basketball games for the Effingham Daily News and given information to Premier Broadcasting over the years.

Along with all his basketball knowledge, Becker has been a booth and turn announcer for NASCAR'S Motor Racing Network since 1994. He also has worked for the past 15 years as the Voice of Keeneland at Keenland Racecourse in Lexington, Ky., been an announcer for thoroughbred auctions around the United States and Canada and has served as an announcer for the Barrett-Jackson classic car events.

He also is very well known around the area for calling harness racing at the local county fairs including Effingham County in Altamont.

Entering in the officials category is a name known around the area, Terry Andrews from Bridgeport.