Special Reprint Article
; LELAND MELVIN#3228 SPECIAL REPRINT ARTICLE “Leland Melvin represents about ev-
erything good about college athletics. He works hard in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is a full speed practice player. Leland is also the best
blocking wide receiver I’ve ever had. Leland Melvin is totally committed in everything he decides to do, whether it’s in the lab, weight room or practice
field. He has the ability to concentrate with maximum intensity on anything
he does. Leland is a super example to all. He is what makes coaching worthwhile.” Don Shealy: Head Football Coach
“Leland Melvin exemplifies the true
All-American. In my 16 years of coaching, he has been the most dedicated.
That is truly amazing when you consider his advanced college course work load and his commitment for excellence in the chemistry lab. Leland
Melvin is a Team Man’s
Team Man.” Harry Van Arsdale:
Assistant Football Coach
and Strength Coach
It was a great pleasure to talk to Leland Melvin and we are very pleased to have him on our cover. He certainly
exemplifies the total person trying to put everything in the right perspective. At Heritage High School in Virginia, Leland Melvin was not a highly sought after football player. He was 5-11, 150 pounds and could barely bench press his bodyweight. Not exactly major college material on the surface. Leland stated, “1 didn’t think I should even play college ball. I was just Leland Melvin: University of Richmond — Wide Receiver
66
planning on getting my education.”
Then the University of Richmond, a Division
LELAND MELVIN Continued from page 3
re
Fj
1-AA
School, showed some interest in Leland and the begin-
.
nings of Melvin’s Athletic Stardom was born. Leland had nearly 3,000 yards in career receptions with 18 TD’s. He is a Division II All-American Wide Receiver and led his team to an 8-3 Season. For most of the year, the Spiders
ln
from the University of Richmond were ranked Number
One in Division 1-AA football last season. Leland is dedicated in the weight room and believes conditioning is a must to reach one’s potential. Leland made steady improvement under the guidance of Strength Coach
Harry VanArsdale. Just one look at Leland’s Progress Chart is verification of that fact. He is now 6-0, 175
Se
on page 6
and can run a 4.45 forty while having a 31'4 inch vertical jump. Combine that with a 405 Parallel Squat, 300 Bench, ——
255 Clean and a 475 Dead Lift and you then have a formidable wide receiver. “I
believe in giving 100%
mentally, physically and
spiritually both on and off the field,” states Melvin. “Be the best person you can be because you can’t play athletics
forever.” “My parents are both school teachers and they have
helped me form the proper attitudes towards my education,” reported Leland. The testimony of this proper at-
titude is Leland’s 3.2 Grade Point Average while taking heavy courses in Chemistry with concentration in Math
and Physics. He will easily graduate in 4 years. Leland also has done a lot of Chemistry research on grants during the summer.
lesitste vie
oe —n
writing Leland has already made several cuts and is now
in the finals in the State Selection Process. If Leland does
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(38
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Leland’s outstanding commitment and achievements have led to becoming a Rhodes Scholar Candidate. At this
become a Rhodes Scholar, he would have the opportunity
Hog:
—
oa
wt
of studying at Oxford University in England, one of the very most elite academic institutions of higher learning in
Of course there is always the possibility of pro football
NONNOOONOOO
no o g nioed~
the world. and several scouts are interested. However, Leland also has a great possibility of becoming a Chemical Engineer, whatever the outcome of pro football or the Rhodes Scholar
opportunity.
I asked Leland if he had anything to say to younger athletes. Leland thought for a minute and said: “Try not Pie’
to walk in anybody else’s shadow. Make your own shadow.
Stay away from drugs and alcohol. I guess up to a point you can get away with their abuse but sooner or later it’s
definitely going to catch up to you. I'd try to do the things that will help you. When I first got to college, I placed no limitations on myself and because | didn’t make any All-
State or All-American teams, it burned inside me to prove myself, and to excel and develop to my fullest potential. Whatever you do in life, you should always give God the glory. Everything you do will be reflected in His eyes.
Always be thankful and humble.” We at BFS would like to thank Leland Melvin for being a great example in all areas and his inspiring outlook on
life. Special thanks to Coaches Don Shealy and Harry Van
Leland Melvin doing Dumbbell Wrist Curls to develop wrists and forearm strength for holding onto the ball.
Notice Strength Chart in the background.
Arsdale for their contributions. Our best to them as they
continue to work for upper limit ideals.
Continued on next page
67
LELAND MELVIN — ALL AMERICAN WIDE RECEIVER
LELAND MELVIN UP-DATE Leland was selected as a finalist in his area as a Rhodes
Scholar. He graduated last June and was drafted by the Detroit Lions. Leland made it until the last cut and is staying in shape because he’s on call with the Lions. He will continue to train and try again witht the Lions or with a Cana-
dian team. In the mean time, Leland will attend graduate “4school in engineering. Isn’t it great to have options! Leland 4}
Yremains an Upper Limit Person!
iA
eRe ety
ee
Leland Melvin has done 760 on Leg Press and a 405 Squat.
LELAND MELVIN’S
PROGRESS CHART r
Soph
Jr
Sr
BFS Medal
Ribbon
Ht. Wt.
5-11 158
6-0 166
6-0 167
6-0 175
iad <r
is Red
VJ
26
29
29V;
31%
40
4.6
4.53
4.45
4.45
Paetise
Beauti a
White
Bench Squat D. Lift
200 315 Xx
225 335 Xx
250 375 440
300 405 475
Gold!
Blie
Clean
195
235
245
255
Leg Press
500
550
600
760
HIGH SCHOOL RECORD
—
i
reat Ege arty seen
9th
10th
11th
12th
Wt.
130
140
145
150
jacket Ribbon
6.95 | 650 Ea}
6.00 Ea
40
4.7
4.7
4.6
4.5
ge
7.95}
7.00 Ea
68
Benched 150
Cleaned 85 X 10
One
2-9
750 Ea]
10 Plus
Call Toll Free 1-800-628-9737 or write BFS
From BFS Magazine — November/December 1986. Part of the BFS Magazine Archive (1980–2014).
