HILLSBORO, Kan. — Becky Carlson cemented her place in Tabor College history as one of the institution's earliest standout three-sport female student-athletes, helping pave the way for generations of women who followed in Bluejay athletics.
 
Growing up in Elsmore, Kan., Carlson was raised by her parents, Florence and Leonard Carlson, alongside her three siblings: Anna Prockish, Eric Carlson, and Sarah Bannister. A member of Friends Home Lutheran Church, Carlson's roots in small-town Kansas helped shape a lifelong commitment to faith, family, education, and athletics. Today, she is also a proud aunt to 10 nieces and nephews.
 
A graduate of Marmaton Valley High School in 1976, Carlson quickly established herself as a versatile athlete, earning letters in volleyball, basketball, and track while also qualifying for national competition in track and field. She continued her athletic and academic journey at Allen County Community College, graduating in 1978 before arriving at Tabor College that same fall.
 
Upon arriving on campus, Carlson immediately made an impact in volleyball, basketball, and track and field through her athletic versatility, leadership, and competitive excellence.
 
During the 1978 volleyball season, Carlson helped guide Tabor to a 15-1 KCAC record and a conference championship as the team's setter. The Bluejays posted 22 consecutive victories while earning notable wins over Kansas State University, Pittsburg State University, South Dakota, and Northwest Missouri State University. Individually, Carlson recorded an 89 percent serving mark, a 95 percent setting percentage, and a 78 percent assist percentage.
 
On the basketball court, Carlson appeared in 20 games during her first season, shooting 35 percent from the field while totaling 43 steals and averaging seven points per game as a guard.
 
Carlson also excelled in track and field, setting school records while competing in the shot put, 100-meter and 100-yard dash, 200-meter and 220-yard dash, along with the 440 relay and 400 relay. She also won the 100-yard dash four times during that season.
 
Her success continued during the 1979-80 academic year. Carlson earned volleyball MVP honors, was named All-Conference, and helped lead Tabor to another conference championship while being selected as Team MVP. She also posted a 94 percent serving percentage and a 90 percent blocking mark.
 
In basketball, Carlson helped Tabor qualify for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics regional tournament. She finished the season with 68 assists, shot 40 percent from the field, averaged 8.9 points, and totaled 52 rebounds and 31 steals. She was also named All-Conference and served as team captain.
 
Beyond her accomplishments in volleyball, basketball, and track, Carlson also lettered in softball at Tabor and earned All-KCAC honors in volleyball, basketball, and softball during her collegiate career. Her outstanding accomplishments across multiple sports were recognized in 1980 when she was named Tabor's Female Athlete of the Year before graduating from Tabor College that same year.
 
While Carlson's athletic accomplishments at Tabor established an impressive foundation, her impact on athletics continued long after her playing days concluded.
 
Carlson dedicated 34 years to education, teaching elementary physical education in Hillsboro and Iola, Kan. Her commitment to students and athletics earned her recognition as USD #257 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
 
Her coaching career became equally distinguished. In volleyball, Carlson guided her programs to nine state tournament appearances, highlighted by a state championship in 1987 and state runner-up finishes in 1990 and 1995.
 
In basketball, Carlson led her teams to 11 state tournament appearances — including 10 at Hillsboro and one at Iola — while capturing Kansas state championships in 1995 and 1996 at Hillsboro and again in 2006 at Iola. Additional tournament finishes included fourth-place finishes in 1987 and 1999 and a third-place finish in 1988.
 
Her coaching excellence was recognized repeatedly throughout her career, earning honors including Kansas Volleyball Association Coach of the Year in 1987, Kansas Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 1988, 1995, 1996, and 2006, Kansas Coaches Association Class 3A Coach of the Year in 1996, and Kansas Coaches Association All-Class High School Coach of the Year in 1996. Carlson also earned National Federation Coaches Association Midwest Sectional Girls Basketball Coach of the Year honors in 2006.
 
Beyond coaching, Carlson remained active in leadership roles within athletics, serving as a member of both the Kansas Coaches Association and Kansas Basketball Coaches Association. She also served on the Board of Directors for the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association, later becoming the organization's president, and contributed nationally through service on the Board of Directors for the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
 
Her influence on athletics continued to be recognized through induction into the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2009 and selection to the Don Bain Hall of Fame in 2025.
 
A true pioneer of women's athletics at Tabor College, Carlson's legacy remains one of excellence, leadership, service, and trailblazing achievement — impacting generations of athletes both on the field and in the classroom.
 
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Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and compete in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC).