Daytona Beach, FL -- Bethune-Cookman College has named Mervyl Melendez as head baseball coach. The announcement was made by athletics director Lynn Thompson. Melendez, 25, replaces Richard Skeel who resigned to become athletic director at a high school in California.
"We are extremely proud to have one of our graduates, an HBCU All-American and an outstanding baseball coach take the reigns of our championship baseball program," Thompson said. "Mervyl now has an opportunity to coach the student-athletes he recruited. We are certain he will take this baseball program to an even greater level of Division I competition."
Melendez, who earned is bachelor's degree in Business Administration from B-CC in 1996, has served as an assistant baseball coach for the past three seasons. He was in charge of recruiting, daily operations and scheduling.
B-CC won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last season and advanced to the NCAA Regionals, facing top-ranked Miami in the first round.
Being named head coach is "a dream come true," Melendez said. "I've wanted this position since the first day I became a coach. It's a very exciting position. Not only am I head coach at the Division I level, but I'm coaching for a a school I played for and graduated from. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity given by Mr. Thompson and the administration at Bethune-Cookman College."
After transferring from Valencia Community College in 1994, Melendez went on to become the Wildcats all-time leader in doubles, knocking in 33 during his 2-year career. He was the starting third baseman for the 1996 MEAC championship team and was named an HBCU all-American, as well as being picked or the All-MEAC and All-Tournament first teams. He was also runner-up for MEAC Player of the Year in 1966. Melendez ended his career batting .342 with 9 homeruns, 67 RBI and 33 doubles.
