Tulsan Becky Dixon Inducted into Oklahoma Hall of Fame
By JOE MORAN
The mission of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is to tell Oklahoma’s story through its people. It’s fitting, then, that Becky Dixon is among the class who was be inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in late 2016.
Becky has been telling the stories of Oklahomans throughout her career. Along the way, she has set a number of firsts in broadcasting and communications.
Becky began her career at Tulsa’s -TV but would soon go on to make broadcasting history. In 1986, she became the first woman to host a network sports show, joining Sports as co-host of “Wide World of Sports,” with Frank Gifford. Dixon also served as a broadcaster for the Super Bowl, Olympic Games, World Gymnastics Championships, college football and Triple Crown of Horse Racing.
Becky returned to Tulsa in 1990 and launched the television special, “Oklahomans.” The show was the first statewide broadcast of its kind and for more than two decades was instrumental in promoting the achievements of Oklahomans in politics, entertainment, business, sports and more. Among those profiled were David Boren, Boone Pickens, Mickey Mantle, Reba McEntire, Garth Brooks, Kristin Chenoweth and Carrie Underwood.
Through “Oklahomans,” many across the state learned about our shared history and the individuals who shaped our culture. In chronicling the lives and accomplishments of great Oklahomans, past and present, she made their lives accessible and relatable for thousands of viewers.
In 1994, Becky joined forces with communications pioneer Ed Taylor to form AyerPlay. The company broke new ground on the Internet with one of the first live webcasts, when Dixon co-hosted a World Aids Day Symposium, in conjunction with Harvard University. Today, AyerPlay provides integrated marketing services to 7,000 clients nationwide.
Beyond telling the stories of Oklahomans, Becky has given back to the community and worked to see that the next generation has the tools they need to write their stories. She serves on the board of the Pencil Box, a free school supplies store for Tulsa-area teachers. She has also served on the board for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, the Tulsa Ballet and the Sutton Avian Research Center and is a member of the Tulsa Mayor’s Commission on the Status of Women.
Becky has been a trendsetter and pioneer throughout her career, achieving personal success and spurring innovation in her industry. For her home state, she has connected Oklahomans with the extraordinary lives of our fellow Oklahomans. Through hard work, talent and dedication, Becky Dixon has not only contributed to Oklahoma’s story, she has deepened the understanding and appreciation of it.
Joe Moran is the managing director of Lighthouse Properties , a community volunteer, and chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors for the Oklahoma Hall of Fame.
Additonal Oklahoma Hall of Fame Honorees
Seven outstanding Oklahomans have been selected for induction into the 89th class of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. These accomplished Oklahomans joined the 677 individuals who have been inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame since 1928.
“It’s incredibly inspirational to be surrounded by such an accomplished group of people who has literally created our history,” said Shannon L. Rich, president and of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame and Gaylord-Pickens Museum. “The Oklahoma Hall of Fame announcement luncheon gives past inductees the first opportunity to congratulate the new class.”
The 2016 Oklahoma Hall of Fame inductees are: Troy Aikman, Henryetta; Rita Bly Aragon, Dale; Michael Burrage, Durant; Dan Dillingham, Enid; Rebecca Dixon, Tulsa; Kelli O’Hara, Elk City; and Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City. The honorees will be formally inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame on Nov. 17, in Oklahoma City.
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was founded in 1927 with the purpose of honoring Oklahomans in their lifetime with the state’s highest honor and educating Oklahoma’s youth on our rich history. The Gaylord-Pickens Museum, home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, was opened in 2007 with the intent of giving the public access to the stories of these and other notable Oklahomans.
“Being inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is the single-highest honor an individual can receive from our state,” Rich said. “The recognition of our state’s greatest asset – our people – is the foundation upon which our organization was created.”
Along with being honored at the formal induction ceremony, the 2016 inductees were recognized with the unveiling of their portraits at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum, home of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In addition to the other 677 members of the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, their biographies, photos and fun facts will be accessible through interactive exhibits.
For more information about the Oklahoma Hall of Fame or Gaylord-Pickens Museum, call 405.235.4458 or visit OklahomaHoF.com.
Updated 01-30-2017
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