Mel Patton (1995) - USC Athletics Hall of Fame

Mel Patton

Induction:
1995
Class:
1949

The third of USC's "World's Fastest Humans" (following in the footsteps of Charles Paddock and Frank Wykoff), Mel Patton set world records in the 100-yard (9.3 in 1948 after tying the mark of 9.4 in 1947) and 220-yard (20.2 in 1949 to break Jesse Owens' mark) dashes. Nicknamed "Pell Mel," he was a 3-time NCAA 100-meters champ (1947-48-49) and a 2-time 200-meters champ (1948-49). He won 2 gold medals at the 1948 London Olympics, in the 200 meters and on the 400-meter relay. He was a 4-year USC letterman (1946-47-48-49) and the 1949 team captain. He was also the anchor on a USC 880-yard relay team that set a world record in 1949 (1:24.0). He is a member of the National track & field hall of fame. In 2016, he was named to the Pac-12 All-Century Team. After graduating from USC, he was a teacher, coach and businessman. He died on May 14, 2014, at age 89.