Thomas A. Beckett, Yale’s seventeenth director of athletics, is a former professional baseball player who translated a Master’s degree in education into a long career in college coaching and athletic administration. Before appointment to his Yale position in 1993, Beckett served as associate director of athletics for a highly successful Stanford program for more than a decade.
Since his arrival in New Haven, Beckett has excelled in many roles. He has brought Yale athletics to the community through youth outreach programs, filled athletic venues with enthusiastic supports, and energized alumni and corporate partners alike with his visions. Under Beckett’s leadership, the historic Yale Bowl has been fully renovated, the Payne Whitney Gym expanded and internally refitted to reflect current needs, and facilities built or renovated for field hockey, soccer, tennis, golf, lacrosse, rowing, softball, squash, and track and field.
Above all, Tom Beckett is a true sports fan who has worked to improve the Yale recruitment process enabling more qualified scholar athletes to matriculate at Yale. He is also a regular attendee at games and matches at the university’s diverse venues, supporting students, coaches, and other administration with his presence and intense commitment to Yale’s success.
