Leland Melvin (1997) - Richmond Athletics Hall of Fame

Leland Melvin

Induction:
1997
Class:
1986

Leland Melvin was an outstanding wide receiver on the football team from 1982-85. Melvin is first on UR's career lists with 198 receptions for 2,669 yards. He is fourth on Richmond's career touchdown receptions list with 16. He was an AP honorable mention All-America selection in 1984 and 1985 and second team Apple Academic All-America in 1985. A team captain during his senior season, Melvin had his best year in 1985, with 65 catches for 956 yards and eight TDs. His top game was in 1984 against James Madison, when he had 10 catches for 208 yards and one touchdown. Melvin caught at least one pass in every game he played as a Spider (39). Leland was a member of NASA's astronaut class in training for shuttle and space station missions. Before being selected for the program, he was a research scientist at NASA's Langley Research Center. Melvin was an astronaut on two NASA space missions.