Hall of Fame
Becky Tyo, 2013 - Becky Tyo ended her standout basketball career as the sixth-leading all-time scorer in Western women’s history, netting 1,367 points in her four years (2000-03).An All-Conference performer in volleyball and basketball coming out of high school, Tyo earned All-State honors in basketball and finished as her school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,033 points.
At the time, Tyo made more free throws in a season (127 in 2001) and career (380), and a better free throw percentage in a game (1.000, 10-for-10) than any other player.
She was named to the 2000 Mid-Continent Conference All-Newcomer team, and then the following year voted to the Mid-Con Second Team. Following her senior year she earned First Team honors. Tyo was also a three-time Academic All-Mid-Con selection.
A consistent scorer throughout her four-year career, Tyo ranks seventh all-time in scoring despite not being among the season Top 10 in that category. Her 12.0 points per game average ranks 10th all-time, and she stands ninthth with 491 career field goals. She completed 46.2 percent of her field goals all-time, good for sixth. Tyo is 10th all-time shooting 73.4 percent from the free throw line.
Known for her rebounding skills, Tyo also ranks 10th all-time with 616 rebounds. She currently is just one of six in Western Illinois women’s basketball history to record 1,300 points and 600 rebounds. During one stretch in the 2001 season she made 24 consecutive free throws, the fourth-longest streak in program history.
As a senior, she helped begin a dynasty in which Western won four consecutive Mid-Continent Conference regular season titles. After graduation, she remained with the program as a graduate assistant coach and later as a full-time assistant until 2008. In that span, Western won four conference titles and made two appearances in the WNIT postseason tournament.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology in 2003 then her master’s in 2008, also in Kinesiology. Tyo moved back to her hometown of Rockford and has worked as a firefighter and paramedic with the Fire Department since 2009.
“I feel truly honored to become part of the WIU Hall of Fame. Western Illinois University is my second family and I value every friendship I made during my time in Macomb. I never thought that my career at WIU would provide me the opportunities that it has and for that I will forever be grateful. I tribute anything I have ever accomplished to the support, love and encouragement of my family and friends,” said Tyo.
