Jackie Beck Named Head Golf Coach at Wellesley College
WELLESLEY, Mass. -- Bethany Ellis, Director of Athletics and Chair of the Department of Physical Education, Recreation and Athletics (PERA) at Wellesley College has announced the hiring of Jackie Beck as Head Golf Coach and PERA Assistant Professor of the Practice.
"I would like to welcome Jackie to Wellesley and the Blue Nation family," said Ellis. "Her depth of experience at the collegiate level and her passion for coaching and growing the game helped her standout during the selection process. We look forward to watching her lead the Blue golf team and teaching the game of golf to all students as a member of our P.E. faculty."
The former Head Women's Golf Coach at Division I Brown University and Central Connecticut State University (CCSU), Beck joins Wellesley after spending three years as the Teaching Professional at the Country Club of New Canaan (Connecticut). Beck spent a year at Brown and three at CCSU before each program was eliminated. She has also coached collegiately at American International College and Albertus Magnus College.
"I am thankful for the incredible opportunity to join Wellesley College," said Beck. "I want to thank Director of Athletics Bethany Ellis and Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Katie Galilardi for entrusting me as the next leader of the Wellesley Golf Team. I am looking forward to meeting the talented team and the start of the fall season."
From 2015-2018 at CCSU, Beck coached a Northeast Conference (NEC) Conference Rookie Player of the Year, two NEC First Team Conference selections, and one NEC Second Team Conference selection, while also leading the team to three consecutive Highest GPA awards among all sports teams at the university.
"My coaching philosophy has always been to put the student-athlete first," said Beck. "If they enjoy the experience, winning will come. My goal as a coach is to provide an environment that each student-athlete can maximize their full golf potential and offer opportunities to help them develop over their four years into confident student-athletes and future leaders. It is awesome to watch them grow during their time in college."
In addition to her coaching expertise, Beck brings extensive experience in marketing communications and event management, having spent 13 years at Spalding Sports Worldwide as the Golf Promotions Manager and the Marketing Communications Director. From 2002-2020 she successfully ran her own business, Beck Communications, an event management and public relations practice specializing in the golf industry.
A 1985 graduate of Illinois State University with a degree in Recreation and Administration, Beck was a four-year letterwinner on the varsity golf team, leading the Redbird to the 1983 and 1985 Gateway Conference championships and the program's first NCAA appearance in 1983. A two-time All-Gateway Conference selection (1983, 1985) and 1985 Gateway Conference Champion, Beck was named to the six-member Gateway Conference All-Decade Golf Team in 1992 and inducted into the Illinois State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
Beck and her husband, Ron, have three daughters, Taylor, Molly and Mandy.
Wellesley Athletics strives for excellence at the conference, regional, and national levels, while providing opportunities for students to achieve their potential and learn the values of discipline, leadership, critical thinking, and responsibility to oneself and others.