About Inductee

Melvin Allen starred in basketball at Sparkman High School and later at Jacksonville State University. At Sparkman, Melvin led his team to 31 straight wins before losing in the finals of the State Tournament to finish the season 31-1. While at Jacksonville State, Melvin led his 1984-85 team to an identical 31-1 record and a National Championship. Melvin was the starting point guard on that National Championship team and set Gulf South Conference records for most free throws made in a single season (196) and most free throws attempted in a single season (248). Both of those records were set by breaking the records that he had set the previous season. Melvin also set the Gulf South Conference career records for most free throws made (463) and attempted (595). Melvin set numerous school records during Jacksonville's national championship season. Among these were, most assists in a season (237) and most free throws made in a season (196). Both of these records were also set by eclipsing marks he had set the previous season. Melvins career school records at Jacksonville State include most assists (645), most free throws attempted (595), and most free throws made (463). During his career at Jacksonville State, Melvin was an All-Gulf South Conference performer three times, and in 1984-85 he was the Most Valuable Player of the Gulf South Conference Tournament and the N.C.A.A. Division II South Region Tournament. Also in the 1984-85 season, he was named to the N.C.A.A. Division II Final Four All-Tournament Team. Melvin was also awarded the Small College Athlete of the Year Award while at Jacksonville State.