My name is Perry Becker. I’m a Junior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill double majoring in Sports Administration and Advertising and Public Relations. I am on the swim team at UNC and I swim the 100 and 200 breaststroke as well as the 200 individual medley. I was born in Columbus, Ohio, but I grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina and went to Sanderson High School.
Although my parents can barely tread water, I began swimming when I was 6 months old at a Jewish Community Center in Columbus, Ohio. I moved to Raleigh when I was 4 years old and joined the local summer league swim team when I was 5. Racing at my summer league pool on Tuesday nights under the lights was where I developed a love for the sport. I joined YOTA, the local YMCA year round team, when I was 12 and took off from there. At 17, I completed a dream of mine when I earned a spot to swim for the UNC swim team. My family has been incredibly supportive of my swimming career, even with their previous lack of knowledge. Swimming has been a big part of my life and has shaped me into the person I am today.
I am passionate about sports and storytelling and hope to pursuit a career in sports journalism or sports advertising. My love for sports comes from swimming along with the other sports, such as soccer and baseball, that I played growing up. I also enjoy watching sports especially the NHL and NBA where I strongly follow the Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia 76ers. My passion for storytelling is a new one. I’ve always been a big fan of music and movies but could never figure out a way to be a part of creating them. More recently, I decided to major in Media and Journalism at UNC in order to explore ways that I can tell stories. In the future, I hope to be able to tell different athletes journey’s through sports.
Outside of being a student-athlete at UNC, I have enjoyed being a swim coach and/or a lifeguard every summer since I turned 15. This summer will be the first summer where I’m not working around a pool. Instead, I will be interning with Sports Promotions Group and will have the opportunity to travel to different soccer tournaments around the country. I enjoyed traveling and had fun when I played soccer, so I’m excited to have this opportunity to explore a job. Some of my interests include spending time with my friends and family, especially with my 12 year old brother JB who is into tennis and basketball. Recently, I’ve developed a big interested in grilling because it allows me to cook outside and for larger groups. Brats and salmon have been the favorite things that I’ve grilled so far.
