Monett ambassador recognized for 43 years of service

By Jared Lankford Special to Monett Monthly

Every year, the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame recognizes and inducts athletes and individuals who have had a profound impact upon sports in their communities, region or the entire state.

Monett has its fair share of representation. The Cubs’ football program, Dennis Heim, Mike McClure and Jim Klousia have all been inducted as official members of the Hall, and this month, they will be joined by another familiar name and face – Dave Beckett.

Beckett laughed when he was asked if he ever thought that he would be inducted in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame

“I never thought I would hear those words for Dave Beckett; maybe for other people, but not for Dave Beckett,” he said. “It is one of those situations where you get a surprise phone call and my 43 years of helping out get you a big surprise.”

Since 1983, Beckett has been involved as a color analyst on Monett High School football, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball and soccer radio and internet broadcasts. He has worked primarily with play-by-play broadcasters McClure, Don West and Scott McCauley, all three members of the Hall of Fame, as well as Perry Phillips and Joe Gripka, who steered Beckett into broadcasting.

Beckett began his 43rd season behind the microphone this year. His tenure includes four state championships (1999 Aurora football, 2016 Monett football, 2017 Aurora baseball, 2017 Monett softball), as well as eight other Final Four teams in girls basketball (1984, 1985, 1986), boys soccer (2016, 2018), volleyball (1989, 1990) and softball (2014). Additionally, Beckett also worked as a color analyst for nearly 20 years at the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball Tournament at College of the Ozarks. He also served 13 years as a member of the Monett R-1 School Board, serving as president for several years.

Through it all, Beckett viewed his task as doing what he loved – talking about Monett.

“I graduated from Monett and once a Cub, always a Cub is the way I look at it,” he said. “Anything I can do to enhance the Monett community, not just the school. I am proud of Monett and like talking about it. I got into broadcasting accidentally, and I’m thankful that God blessed me with the opportunity to help highlight the achievements of our athletes, to speak with people about the positive things going on in the community and to do something that I truly love.”

Beckett was a standout athlete as a Cub and is a fixture next to McClure on the air. The bond between the two friends allowed Beckett to have a front row seat to all of Monett’s sports accomplishments of the last four decades, but Beckett admits, even for selfish reasons, his biggest honor was getting to cover his daughters, Denae Beckett and Dedre (Beckett) Fitzgerald, during their tenure in Monett sports.

“For most coaches, they dream of getting to coach their kids at the varsity level,” Beckett said. “Well, I wasn’t a coach, but a broadcaster, so for me, the biggest highlight was being able to broadcast their games and careers. Once I started doing that, I realized that I could also highlight these other players and make them feel special too.”

For McClure, Beckett has been an irreplaceable asset in the broadcast booth.

“He’s been a blessing, reliable and fun partner,” McClure said. “He lends additional credibility to the broadcast. He knows the Monett programs and kids. He has a passion for promoting others. It is not about Dave, but about the kids in the game.”

McClure pointed out that a major key to Beckett’s longevity and success has been the support and strength that came from his wife of 50 years Donna Beckett.

“You don’t think about Dave without thinking of Donna and you don’t think of Donna without thinking of Dave,” McClure said. “That is a testament to their strong marriage and teamwork. Their 50 years together is amazing.”

Outside of broadcasting, Beckett was a driving force to secure private financing for the turf projects at Burl Fowler Stadium and the baseball and softball fields.

“Those were both things that were big projects for the athletic departments,” Beckett said. “The thing about it is, once the need is shown, I want to get the right people involved to help make those things come to fruition