In this two-part story, Kelly Becker, athlete and innovator, shares the important impact of two male allies.  Both stories are an example of male allies being present and critical in different areas of one’s life; today, Kelly talks about her father.

“I grew up the daughter of an officer in the United States Marine Corps. The life of a military child is unique; change is constant and relentless. I moved six times before the 5th grade and we continued to move after. It was common Becker protocol for my dad to sign me up for a sport or activity upon arrival and when he could, be my coach. We share a passion for basketball that I believe started when my dad was my basketball coach. Through sport, I learned valuable lessons of selflessness, confidence, and hard work, that doesn’t always result in victory.

I was in a sport or activity all year round. From fencing, to being the only girl on the baseball team, to ballet, the school chorus, and to my ultimate passion: field hockey. By participating in these different activities as a military child, I learned I’m a reliable and trustworthy teammate, I work hard no matter the challenges ahead, I’m a great communicator to a variety of different audiences, and an effective, active listener.

When I found my ultimate passion, the game of field hockey, it too taught me a lot. I started playing in middle school because two gym teachers identified my talent and encouraged me to try out. I competed for a state championship, and in college won an NCAA National Championship and coached at the collegiate level. All of these experience allowed me to take risks and continually learn about my strengths as an individual.

I spent most of my childhood envisioning I’d be the female Marine lawyer on JAG. She was smart and powerful. My father was a Marine, and I admire him greatly – so she embodied everything I wanted to be – at that time.

But as I grew older, I recognized that there was no pressure to mirror my father’s life exactly. So I followed my passion for field hockey — there was no field hockey at his alma-mater, the US Naval Academy — and instead I attended a small liberal arts school, Ursinus College, and studied history. And history is another passion my father and I share. We both love that there are patterns in humanity, and that if you study theme  – you can anticipate change, and ultimately change history for good.

While I was at college, my dad wrote me a hand-written letter nearly every single week I was away and each was signed with love and that he was proud of me (even while I was studying abroad in London!). I’ll be honest, I was not confident I could make it at Ursinus. Being a part of a nationally-ranked team was hard, but the schoolwork was harder. My dad was the first person in his family to attend and graduate college and I was the first woman from both sides of the family to attend college. His seemingly casual letters made a huge impact. Not only did I graduate from Ursinus College, but like him I’ve gone on to earn two master’s degrees.

The day I graduated with my master’s from Misericordia was the exact day my father became Dr./Col.; officially Col. Mo Becker, Ph.D. It is easily said that we share a strong bond; but his constant coaching and support continue to have a tremendous impact in shaping the professional I am today.”

– Kelly Becker, Innovation Partnerships, Under Armour
Baltimore, Maryland