Mel Lucas is a former college baseball coach and college administrator. He served as head coach of the Troy Trojans baseball team before being hired as the first athletic director at South Alabama, then a new university in Mobile, Alabama. He served as the school's first baseball coach for four seasons before hiring former major leaguer Eddie Stanky in order to focus on his growing administrative duties. Lucas was instrumental in forming the Sun Belt Conference and was a central figure in the growth of the Jaguars athletic programs. He was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 1989.[1][2][3][4]
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
|---|---|
| 1961–1964 | Troy |
| 1965–1968 | South Alabama |
| Administrative career (AD unless noted) | |
| 1964–1980 | South Alabama |
References
edit- ^ "Mel Lucas". South Alabama Jaguars. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Tommy Hicks (February 13, 2014). "Golden Anniversary: South Alabama's baseball program to celebrate 50 years of play this season". AL.com. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Anniversary Book (PDF). University of South Alabama. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Ron Fimrite (May 3, 1971). "The Brat is a winner for old USA". Sports Illustrated.