NJCAA remembers Art Becker as a mentor and champion of sportsmanship

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – He was a six-foot-seven gentle giant with a decorated athletic career that included All-Conference recognitions, two-time American Basketball Association All-Star selections and an ABA championship, but Art Becker's lasting legacy will be his commitment to sportsmanship and the "student" half of the "student athlete."

Art Becker began volunteering for the NJCAA in 1994, served as the NJCAA President from 2005-2011 and led the charge on the Association's Code of Conduct and Sportsmanship Policy. He survived prostate cancer for 25 years before being diagnosed with leukemia and passing away peacefully on April 30 in Tempe, Arizona in the presence of his family.

His remarkable work as a player could only be eclipsed by the journey following his athletic career, which took his talent from a profession to an actual calling.

After playing professional basketball, he pivoted to mentoring, leading and training the next generation. Art began serving as the head men's basketball coach at Scottsdale Community College from 1974-1981 and again from 1993 – 1996, where he also served as an athletic director from 1984 – 2012, as well as the head men's tennis coach from 1981-1983.

During his tenure, Scottsdale Community College won six national championships in men's golf, finished third in the NJCAA National Baseball Tournament and developed a competitive football program.

Art once said his goal was to promote and encourage academic success for athletes. He focused on the student and emphasized sport-life balance, encouraging them to gain the necessary skills to succeed in any environment and be prepared for the real world.

"Art Becker is and has been a legend in the world of not only two-year college athletics, but athletics as a whole," NJCAA President and CEO, Dr. Christopher Parker, said. "Art represented everything that is good about the NJCAA and two-year college athletics. He was a respected leader, a mentor to countless administrators and coaches, and a passionate advocate for sportsmanship and the student-athlete experience. His impact on this association will continue to be felt for generations and we are forever grateful for his decades of service and leadership. Art's genuineness and love for the NJCAA will be missed greatly."

Art made his mark on two-year college athletics for 52 years. He proudly served at Scottdale Community College while volunteering in several NJCAA roles, then after leading the NJCAA as President for six years, he began as an NJCAA Assistant Regional Director from 2011-2015 and Regional Director from 2015 to 2025, served as a conference treasurer for more than 25 years, as well as the Athletic Council Chair for the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD). Art was also a national tournament representative and hosted several national tournaments.

Art will be posthumously inducted into the 2026 NJCAA Hall of Fame on June 18 in Charlotte. This will be one of several recognitions he has received, including the Pac-12 Hall of Honor, 2016 Arizona State University Hall of Fame, 2016 NATYCAA Hall of Fame, Phoenix Union High School District Hall of Fame (2017), the 1989 NATYCAA L William Miller Award and the 2004 NACDA Athletics Director of the Year Award. His NJCAA honors include the 2017 George E. Killian Award of Excellence, awarded annually by the NJCAA national office staff to individuals dedicated to the organization's ideals of volunteerism, achievement, service, leadership and excellence.

He was a member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the Arizona Community College Athletic Conference (ACCAC), a founding member and former president of the National Alliance of Two-Year Collegiate Athletic Administrators (NATYCAA), member of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) Executive Committee, and was a liaison with the Fiesta Bowl.

Current NJCAA Region 1 Women's Director, Jerry Smith, said, "Art was a mountain of a man in terms of college athletics. He was always right on top of everything and all about students and sportsmanship."

Education always came first for Art. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in History and a Master's degree in Physical Education-- both from Arizona State University.

He and his wife, Lynn, were married for 63 years and had four children and eight grandchildren. Outside of basketball, Art enjoyed tennis, golf, cycling and was an avid history buff and reader, especially of World War II themes.

Art's memorial will be Tuesday, May 26 at 1p.m. at Scottsdale Community College.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Royal Hospice in Scottsdale, Arizona (14809 N 73rd St Suite 202, Scottsdale, AZ 85260).